Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts public records law to exempt public and municipally owned colleges from releasing student records designated as "directory information." Under the current Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act, schools can share details like names and addresses with the public unless students opt out, but this legislation would prevent those records from being produced in response to public records requests. The exemption applies to general public inquiries but does not restrict access by federal, state, or municipal agencies. Consequently, the law would change how student information is publicly accessible while maintaining access for government oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to accept scores of three, four, or five on Advanced Placement exams to fulfill degree requirements for general education, major, or elective courses. Institutions can only require a higher score than three if their chief academic officer provides evidence that the lower score would not prepare a student for the next course in the sequence, and the state Department of Higher Education will define what counts as valid evidence. Schools must publish these policies on their websites and submit them to the state department for public posting, while the state board will review and report on these policies annually by July 1.

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 amends Massachusetts state law to establish a new framework for managing packaging waste and recycling costs. It creates a comprehensive list of definitions for terms such as "covered entities," which include residents, schools, and small businesses, and "covered materials," which encompass all packaging sold in the state. The legislation sets up a process where the Department of Environmental Protection must approve alternative collection programs run by producers and requires a statewide needs assessment to evaluate recycling infrastructure and costs. By clarifying these terms and procedures, the bill aims to provide a clearer legal basis for reducing waste and recycling expenses across the commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires retail establishments in Massachusetts to stop selling single-use plastic bags and transition to offering only reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags. Initially, stores can sell any type of bag for 180 days, after which they must charge a minimum fee of 10 cents for recycled paper bags and 10 cents for reusable bags, while banning the sale of single-use plastic bags entirely. The law defines specific standards for what counts as a reusable bag, such as requiring it to be made of washable fabric and designed for at least 175 uses, and it applies to a wide range of businesses including grocery stores, restaurants, and delivery services. All fees collected from these bags remain with the individual store rather than going to the state government.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags by requiring retail establishments to charge a fee for them. Retailers, which include grocery stores, restaurants, and mobile vendors, must offer reusable bags or recycled paper bags as alternatives to plastic film bags. The legislation defines specific standards for these alternatives, such as requiring recycled paper bags to contain a minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled material and be labeled as recyclable. Additionally, the law establishes definitions for terms like "reusable bag" and "single-use plastic bag" to ensure consistent application across different types of businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to establish a formal framework for producer responsibility programs aimed at reducing recycling costs. It creates specific definitions for terms like "covered materials," which include most packaging and paper products sold or distributed in the state, while excluding long-term storage materials and beverage containers. The legislation sets up a system where producers of these items must manage their own waste through approved alternative collection programs or join a coordinating body to handle recycling logistics. By clarifying these roles and responsibilities, the bill seeks to shift the financial burden of recycling from municipalities to the companies that create the packaging.

Senate, October 10, 2023 -- The committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 913) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation relative to archaic laws; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 951) of Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to petit treason; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1109) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to repeal the criminalization of blasphemy; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1469) of Kate Donaghue, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to the repeal or reform of certain archaic laws on religion, piety, and morality; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1640) of Jay D. Livingstone, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others for legislation to repeal certain archaic laws and to establish a permanent law revision commission (including members of the General Court) to examine common laws and statutes; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1811) of Tommy Vitolo and Sal N. DiDomenico relative to petit treason, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2457).

Senate, January 16, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to archaic laws (Senate, No. 2457),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2551).