Sen. Brendan Crighton

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the town of Lynnfield to use money from its Golf Enterprise Fund to pay for improvements to synthetic turf fields. The town can transfer up to $100,000 each year for these projects, provided that enough funds remain to cover the ongoing costs of operating and maintaining the town's golf courses. This change lets the select board allocate money for long-term capital projects and turf replacement without needing separate state approval.

Maddy summaryHD 5030 allows the town of Swampscott to extend its existing property tax exemption for disabled residents to include individuals under age 70 who have lived in the town continuously for at least 10 years and hold a Social Security disability determination. The bill modifies current law to align the income and estate qualifications for this exemption with existing standards. Swampscott’s annual town meeting may choose each year whether to provide this tax relief, opting out until reauthorized. This is a procedural change to an existing local tax program, not a new policy.

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1681) of James B. Eldridge, Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Robyn K. Kennedy and other members of the Senate for legislation to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Senate, August 10, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1485) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jason M. Lewis, Julian Cyr and other members of the Senate for legislation to prohibit nonconsensual intimate examinations of anesthetized or unconscious patients; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1491) of Brendan P. Crighton, Rory McCarthy, James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to chaperones for medical exams, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3197).

By Mr. Crighton and Mr. Wong of Saugus, a joint petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Brendan P. Crighton and Donald H. Wong for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Jessica Lynlee Ayala, an employee of the department of corrections. Public Service.

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1491) of Brendan P. Crighton, Rory McCarthy, , James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to chaperones for medical exams. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies and non-admitted insurers from including policy terms that block insureds from hiring public adjusters (as defined by law) to handle claims. It makes any such restrictive language unenforceable and requires its removal from policies, while leaving other policy terms intact. The bill amends two sections of Massachusetts insurance law: it adds a new section (2C) to Chapter 175 and updates Chapter 176D to explicitly ban policy provisions that prevent insureds from using public adjusters. This directly affects policyholders who wish to work with public adjusters for property or casualty insurance claims.

Maddy summarySD 762 prohibits payment networks from charging merchants interchange fees on the tax or gratuity portion of credit or debit card transactions. It requires merchants to provide tax or gratuity amounts during payment processing to avoid these fees, or submit tax documentation within 180 days to receive refunds for improperly charged fees. Payment networks violating this law face $1,000 penalties per transaction and must refund affected merchants. The bill directly affects merchants (e.g., restaurants, retailers) who process card payments and pay these fees on taxable items or tips.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts' Move Over Law to require drivers to move over for additional vehicle types on roadways. It adds "disabled vehicle" (stationary non-emergency vehicles on shoulders) and "utility vehicle" (used by companies maintaining power/communications) to the list of vehicles drivers must yield to, alongside emergency and recovery vehicles. The law now mandates moving over for these vehicles when they have activated flashing lights or hazard signals. Penalties increase to $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for third or subsequent offenses, with repeat offenders required to complete a driver behavior program. The bill directly affects all drivers operating vehicles on Massachusetts roadways.

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 321) of Brendan P. Crighton relative to industry-recognized certification awards paid by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Education.