Sen. Lydia Edwards

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to strengthen oversight of real estate brokers and enhance enforcement of fair housing rules. It requires the state board of real estate registration to publish quarterly reports detailing complaints and disciplinary actions taken against license holders for discrimination. Additionally, the bill mandates that the board immediately suspend a broker's license for sixty days if a court finds they committed a fair housing violation, extending the suspension to one hundred and eighty days if the violation occurred within two years of a prior finding. These changes aim to increase transparency and impose stricter penalties on professionals who discriminate in housing transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals who are qualified aliens under federal immigration rules to be appointed as managers on licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages. Currently, the law requires managers to be U.S. citizens, but this change would expand eligibility to include certain non-citizens who meet specific federal criteria. The provision directly affects liquor store owners and licensing boards by broadening the pool of potential managers beyond just citizens. By updating the legal definition of who can hold this position, the bill removes a citizenship barrier for eligible immigrants.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require employers with 20 or more employees to provide 24 hours of paid leave annually to workers who experience a pregnancy loss. The leave must be paid at the employee's regular rate of pay and include the same employment benefits they would normally receive, such as health insurance. Employers are not required to offer additional leave if they already have a policy that provides equal or greater time off for the same reasons under the same conditions. The legislation also defines key terms like "covered employer," "employee," and "domestic partner" to clarify who is eligible for these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to formally define and address psychological abuse in the workplace, directly affecting employers, employees, and independent contractors. It introduces specific legal definitions for terms such as bullying, mobbing, and toxic work environments to clarify what constitutes mental mistreatment. The legislation also establishes new terminology for psychological injury, ensuring that mental harm is recognized with the same evidentiary standards as physical injury. By updating Chapter 149 of the General Laws, the bill aims to create a clearer legal framework for identifying and addressing non-physical harassment and abuse in employment settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new right for employees in Massachusetts to take up to 10 business days of bereavement leave within a 12-month period following the death of a family member. The law defines family members to include children, parents, guardians, siblings, spouses, and partners living with the employee, allowing time for funeral arrangements, attending services, grieving, or handling legal matters. Employers have the discretion to decide whether this leave is paid or unpaid, and they may require proof of death, such as a medical record or police report. The policy applies only to employers with 10 or more employees in the state and does not affect existing contracts or laws that offer more generous leave benefits.

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.

Senate, January 22, 2024 --The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1145) of Michael J. Barrett and Sean Garballey for legislation to ensure bereavement leave; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1205) of Liz Miranda and Lydia Edwards for legislation relative to bereavement leave; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1879) of Sean Garballey, David M. Rogers and others relative to bereavement leave under the family and medical leave act; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1961) of Christopher J. Worrell relative to bereavement leave, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2562).

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the laws governing the Port Authority Parks in East Boston to clarify their management and scope. It changes the legal definition of these parks to include specific areas like Piers 1 through 4 and several named spaces, while removing outdated references to a lobster facility. The legislation also establishes a clear three-phase plan for the development of the piers and defines the roles of various government departments and advisory committees involved in oversight. By amending existing statutes, the bill aims to modernize how these public spaces are maintained and expanded in the future.