Sen. Liz Miranda

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill establishes a tiered corporate minimum tax that requires businesses to pay a set fee based on their annual sales within the state. Companies with less than one million dollars in sales pay $456, while those with over one billion dollars in sales pay $150,000, with specific amounts set for every sales bracket in between. The tax applies to corporations operating in Massachusetts starting with tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive educational diversion program to address the legal and social consequences of adolescents sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. It requires the Attorney General to create this curriculum in collaboration with state education and youth services departments, which will be used to divert minors from court proceedings if they are charged with related offenses. The program also mandates that schools integrate media literacy instruction using the same materials to help students understand the risks of online image sharing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal definition of abuse to include coercive control and increases fines for certain offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes transferring the Department of Correction and the Parole Board from the Executive Office of Public Safety to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in Massachusetts. The legislation achieves this by amending state laws to list the Department of Correction under the Health and Human Services office while simultaneously removing it from the list of agencies within Public Safety. Additionally, the bill updates various sections of the state's administrative code to replace references to "public safety" with "health and human services" regarding these specific departments. If enacted, this change would alter the administrative structure by placing correctional and parole functions under the same executive office that currently oversees health, human services, and disability programs.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill requires owners of newly constructed or substantially renovated public spaces to install induction loop listening systems, which help people with hearing aids or cochlear implants hear better. The law applies to places like theaters, libraries, banks, and restaurants, provided the renovation costs more than $40,000. Owners must display permanent signage indicating the system is available and submit a biennial self-certification form confirming the equipment still works. The bill also allows for exemptions if a local agency determines that installing the system is impractical for a specific building. Additionally, the state Board of Building Regulations and Standards will create specific rules for installation, signage design, and criteria for what counts as a public space.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires energy facility developers to create a detailed preliminary statement before applying for permits, specifically analyzing risks to public health, the environment, and climate within a five-mile radius of the proposed site. The proposal mandates that applicants identify nearby environmental justice populations, share the project details with local community groups and officials, and hold a review meeting to address concerns before submitting a formal petition. Additionally, the legislation establishes an independent energy facilities siting board to oversee the permitting process, ensuring that projects minimize negative impacts on communities and the environment while maintaining a reliable energy supply.

Senate, March 14, 2024 --The committee on Financial Services, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 678) of Liz Miranda and Lydia Edwards for legislation to improve sickle cell care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2640).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal bill of rights for children in the Massachusetts foster care system, ensuring they are treated with dignity and safety while in state custody. It mandates that the Department of Children and Families present these rights to each child upon entry into care, during review meetings, and in an age-appropriate manner, with translations provided as needed. Key provisions guarantee protection from discrimination and abuse, ensure access to culturally relevant items and food, and require that children be placed in safe environments that respect their gender identity and family connections. The legislation also prioritizes placing children with relatives or siblings and mandates that placement changes be communicated at least five days in advance unless an emergency occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate how social media impacts the mental health of children in Massachusetts. The commission will include government officials, experts from health and education sectors, advocates for civil liberties, and individuals with personal experience related to cyberbullying and social media use. Its primary task is to study specific risks such as self-harm, online harassment, and sexual exploitation, while also identifying best practices for platforms to protect youth. Ultimately, the group is tasked with recommending a legal framework and developing guidelines to promote safer social media usage for minors.

Senate, June 6,2024 -- The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 68) of Joanne M. Comerford, Sean Garballey and Vanna Howard for legislation to establish a bill of rights for children in foster care; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 164) of Michael J. Finn and others relative to establishing a bill of rights for children in foster care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2803).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify how liability is handled when charities are sued for torts, such as personal injury. It establishes that a charity cannot use its charitable status as a complete defense in a lawsuit unless the incident occurred while directly pursuing its charitable mission and the organization receives over half its income from donations, or if the charity was primarily established for religious purposes. Under these specific conditions, the maximum financial liability for the charity is capped at twenty thousand dollars, excluding interest and legal costs. The measure directly affects corporations, trusts, and associations that qualify as charities and operate within the state.