Sen. Mike Moore

March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 292) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Joanne M. Comerford and Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to the financial impact of charter schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 302) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to strengthen the evaluation process for proposed new charter schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 304) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to the net school spending cap; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 320) of Michael O. Moore and Adam Scanlon for legislation relative to local approval for charter schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 321) of Susan L. Moran, Vanna Howard and James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensure charter school transparency and public accountability; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 352) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to ensure the integrity of charter schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2662).

March , 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 256) of John J. Cronin, Manny Cruz and John Barrett, III for legislation to create and expand student pathways to success; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 274) of Paul R. Feeney, Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Susan Williams Gifford and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access, opportunity, and capacity in Massachusetts vocational-technical education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 297) of Edward J. Kennedy and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 306) of Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation relative increase student access to career technical education schools and programs which are aligned with regional labor market needs; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 334) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jeffrey N. Roy and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 361) of John C. Velis for legislation to expand high school student access to earn industry recognized credentials; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 362) of John C. Velis and Kelly W. Pease for legislation to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2664).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts hunting laws to allow the use of crossbows during hunting seasons. It requires that any crossbow used must meet specific rules regarding design, weight, and arrow type set by the state director. These regulations are intended to align with generally accepted standards for hunting equipment. The change directly affects hunters who wish to use crossbows by removing previous restrictions on their use.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state to reimburse the George L. Darey Inland Fisheries and Game Fund for any lost revenue resulting from discounted or free fishing and hunting licenses. By amending existing state law, it ensures that the fund receives annual payments from the general fund to cover these specific financial shortfalls. The measure directly impacts the state's budget for wildlife conservation and affects the funding available for inland fisheries and game management programs.

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 prohibits the distribution and application of neonicotinoid pesticides in Massachusetts to protect pollinators like bees and butterflies. It defines neonicotinoids as a specific class of chemicals that can harm these insects when present in pollen and nectar. Under the law, these pesticides cannot be sprayed on any property, and their sale is only allowed for treated nursery plants that must carry clear labels warning of risks to non-target organisms. The restrictions on general use and spraying take effect on January 1, 2024, while the labeling requirements for treated plants begin on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the manufacture and sale of food packaging containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of fluorinated chemicals, within Massachusetts. It requires manufacturers and suppliers to provide a signed certificate of compliance for each package or packaging component, which purchasers must keep on file and make available to the public and the Department of Public Health upon request. The ban on these chemicals takes effect on January 1, 2025, while the documentation requirements begin 90 days after the law is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to address shortages in Massachusetts' direct care and dementia workforce by creating new training and career advancement opportunities. It establishes a pilot program to provide free Certified Nursing Assistant training and testing to up to 1,000 individuals in areas with high workforce needs, offering a $1,000 bonus to graduates who remain employed for at least one year. Additionally, the legislation creates a career pathway that allows home health aides to advance to Certified Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse roles within the state. The bill also expands the list of medical fields considered for certain health services to include geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, neurology, and neuropsychology.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill prohibits food and retail establishments from using polystyrene disposable containers starting August 1, 2025. The law defines polystyrene as a synthetic foam material and bans its use for serving, packaging, or selling single-use food and beverage items. Small businesses facing unique economic challenges may request a one-year deferral from local health departments if no reasonable alternatives exist. Violations of the new rules could result in fines of up to $1,000 per incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts residents and local governments address contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. The fund is designed to cover remediation costs for municipalities, private well owners, and public water systems without requiring additional annual appropriations from the state budget. Money for the fund will come from settlements related to claims against manufacturers of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam, and any unused funds at the end of a fiscal year will roll over to the next year. The executive office of energy and environmental affairs is responsible for administering the fund and ensuring expenditures align with existing legal settlements.