Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commission within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to study and regulate how government agencies use automated decision-making systems. The commission will conduct a comprehensive survey of current uses, evaluate their impact on human rights, and consult with experts on issues like algorithmic bias and civil rights. Its primary goal is to develop recommendations for regulations, standards, and safeguards that ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in these technologies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of glyphosate herbicides on Commonwealth-owned public lands, such as state parks, playgrounds, and school buildings, starting on December 31, 2023. Under the new rules, applying these herbicides is only allowed if a person holds a specific state license for research or obtains an emergency permit when there is an immediate threat to health or the environment and no other options exist. The legislation also adds a definition for glyphosate and reinforces existing requirements for proper pesticide handling and record-keeping. Finally, the Department of Food and Agriculture is tasked with creating regulations to enforce these changes within one year of the bill taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to launch a Wetlands Restoration Streamlining Initiative aimed at speeding up the approval process for nature-based wetland projects in Massachusetts. A designated coordinator will lead efforts to align various state agencies and federal partners to expedite permitting, clarify regulations, and provide technical support to municipalities, nonprofits, and other project proponents. The initiative specifically targets nature-based solutions and includes a goal to create a unified permitting process that allows for state approvals within three months of a complete application submission. Additionally, the coordinator must address delays in pending salt marsh restoration permits within 90 days and submit final recommendations for regulatory reforms within 12 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to include specific law enforcement groups, such as those at the University of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Port Authority, in existing disability protections for police officers. The primary change extends these protections to officers who become disabled due to cardiac disease, ensuring they receive the same benefits as those injured on the job. By updating the list of covered agencies, the legislation broadens the scope of who qualifies for these specific disability provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires utility companies in Massachusetts to offer customers the choice of keeping traditional electromechanical analog meters or installing new smart wireless meters. It mandates that utilities obtain written consent from ratepayers before installing wireless meters or changing their functionality and prohibits companies from shutting off service or charging extra fees if a customer chooses to keep an analog meter. Additionally, the law forbids utilities from discriminating against customers who have medical conditions potentially aggravated by radio frequency exposure and bans the installation of wireless technology near homes where residents have requested non-transmitting meters.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Massachusetts from using credit reports to screen job applicants or current employees, with the goal of preventing financial history from influencing hiring decisions. The law allows exceptions only for roles requiring national security clearance or when specifically mandated by federal or state regulations. Employers are also barred from asking candidates about their creditworthiness or retaliating against them for filing complaints related to this policy. These restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2025, and cannot be overridden by requiring employees to sign waivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to offer a property tax credit to landlords who rent their small, unsubsidized apartment buildings at rates below local market limits. To qualify, landlords must rent units to low-income individuals, seniors, or families with young children, and they can receive a credit of up to $2,000 per unit, limited to six units total. Local governments can also choose to provide an additional property tax exemption for these properties, with the specific amount determined by the municipality. The program is designed to encourage affordable housing without mandating specific rent prices or tenant selection criteria, leaving the details of implementation to local communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that new and substantially remodeled commercial buildings in Massachusetts use electricity instead of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, cooking, and clothes drying. It specifically mandates that new hospitals and biological research laboratories achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and sets a phased schedule of decreasing emission limits for these facilities through 2049. The legislation also establishes specific heating requirements for labs and hospitals, ensuring their primary heating systems do not rely on on-site fossil fuel combustion. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Energy Resources to create regulations for compliance, including the use of renewable energy credits, while allowing municipalities to set separate rules for existing facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ban the sale of specific mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs, aiming to reduce environmental contamination from these lamps. Starting January 1, 2024, screw and bayonet base compact fluorescent lamps will be prohibited, with a complete ban on pin-base compact and linear fluorescent lamps taking effect on January 1, 2025. The legislation includes important exceptions for specialized uses, such as lamps required for medical germicidal applications, industrial printing, and scientific research involving coral or ozone generation. By clearly defining which light sources are restricted and which are exempt, the law provides a structured timeline for retailers and consumers to transition away from older lighting technologies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new licensure pathway for lactation care providers in Massachusetts, allowing them to practice independently without needing to be certified as physical therapists or athletic trainers. To qualify for a license, applicants must hold current certification from a nationally recognized accrediting agency and demonstrate good moral character. The legislation also creates a specific seat on the Board of Allied Health Professions for a licensed lactation care provider and adds new definitions to state law to clarify what constitutes lactation care and services. By integrating lactation care into the existing allied health regulatory framework, the bill aims to increase access to professional breastfeeding support across the state.