Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts corporate tax law to penalize companies where the pay of their top executives is more than 100 times the average pay of their lowest-paid workers. Effective in 2025, businesses that meet this high pay ratio threshold would face an additional 2% tax on their net income. The rule applies to both financial institutions and publicly held corporations, aiming to address large disparities between executive and worker compensation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a mandatory educational diversion program for Massachusetts teens accused of sharing explicit images, commonly known as sexting. Instead of facing immediate court charges, eligible youth will be referred to a curriculum developed by the Child Advocate that explains legal penalties, potential social consequences, and the risks of online sharing. The program aims to divert these cases from the formal justice system by requiring participants to complete the educational course before any arraignment occurs, unless a judge determines that proceeding is necessary to prevent serious harm. Additionally, the bill encourages schools to teach media literacy skills and allows law enforcement officials to refer alleged offenders directly to this educational intervention.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and municipal agencies to specify that iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in public construction projects must be made in the United States. While the law generally mandates domestic materials, it allows agencies to request waivers if using American products would harm the public interest, result in insufficient supply or quality, or increase project costs by more than 25 percent. Agencies must provide public notice and justification for any such waivers, and the law imposes penalties, including contract ineligibility, on individuals who falsely label non-domestic goods as American. Additionally, the bill sets a $500,000 threshold for contracts requiring this domestic preference and ensures the rules remain valid even if specific parts are later found unconstitutional.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts pesticide regulations to require schools, child care centers, and universities to prioritize using safer pest control products. It mandates that these facilities use pesticides classified as exempt by the EPA or those containing only ingredients approved for organic farming, unless a hardship waiver is granted. The legislation also modernizes reporting requirements by specifying that certain records must be submitted electronically through a state portal.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prosecutors in Massachusetts to charge individuals with sex offenses at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime occurred. The key provision removes the usual time limits on these cases if there is collected forensic evidence that can be tested with DNA to identify the suspect. This change directly affects legal proceedings by enabling the state to pursue older cases where biological evidence exists, while leaving cases without such evidence subject to existing time restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill strengthens laws against keeping animals in cruel conditions by explicitly defining prohibited situations such as exposure to waste, dangerous objects, or extreme weather. It directly affects anyone who owns or keeps domestic animals, including livestock, and clarifies that these protections apply regardless of the animal's specific use. The legislation establishes a tiered penalty system where first-time offenders face a warning or a fine up to $50, while repeat offenders can be fined up to $500 and potentially have their animals impounded. Additionally, the bill directs fines collected from these violations into a dedicated fund aimed at preventing homelessness in animals and ensures that these civil penalties do not block separate criminal prosecutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to mandate that manufacturers take responsibility for collecting, reusing, and recycling discarded electronic products. It defines specific categories of covered devices, such as computers, monitors, printers, and televisions, while explicitly excluding items like mobile phones, appliances, and industrial equipment. The legislation creates a system where producers must pay a minimum per-pound rate to collectors who gather these items from households, small businesses, schools, and other entities. By shifting the financial burden of disposal to manufacturers, the bill aims to ensure proper handling of electronic waste without imposing direct costs on consumers or large organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care employers in Massachusetts to create and enforce programs aimed at preventing workplace violence. To achieve this, facilities must conduct annual risk assessments in cooperation with employees and labor unions to identify specific dangers, such as working in public areas or guarding property. The legislation defines workplace violence to include unpermitted touching, attempts to use physical force, or threatening behavior that causes fear of future harm. These measures apply to a wide range of settings, including hospitals and state correctional facilities, while explicitly excluding certain outpatient services like clinics and dialysis centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new funding tool within the Massachusetts School Building Authority to invest in vocational-technical education programs and regional schools. It allocates $3 billion to replace or renovate school infrastructure and purchase critical training equipment to better prepare students for industry-relevant careers. The legislation also adjusts reimbursement rates for these projects, allowing the state to cover between 75% and 90% of eligible construction costs, with higher rates available for schools that align with regional workforce needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local approval from towns or school districts before a state-funded charter school can receive public money. It defines local approval as either a vote by an elected school committee, a town meeting vote, or a city council and mayor vote. If a charter school application lacks this local consent, the state board must fund it entirely without using local tax dollars. The law applies only to new charter school applications submitted after the bill becomes effective.