Sen. Ryan Fattman

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public schools and colleges in Massachusetts to print the contact information for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on all student identification cards. The law applies to students in grades 6 through 12 in public and charter schools, as well as to students at public and private higher education institutions. It mandates that the phone and text numbers be included on both new cards and replacements for lost or damaged cards. Schools and universities have until July 1, 2023, to comply, though they are allowed to use up existing stock of non-compliant cards before issuing new ones.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to evaluate the total cost of road projects, including initial construction and future maintenance, when spending over one million dollars. It mandates that the department design such projects using both asphalt and plain jointed cementitious concrete, then select the material with the lowest long-term cost. Additionally, the law requires the department to build at least four demonstration projects using plain jointed cementitious concrete annually for ten years to gather real-world performance data. These demonstration projects must meet specific goals related to durability, ride quality, or noise reduction and include annual reports comparing their effectiveness to standard methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the issuance of special motorcycle license plates in Massachusetts to honor fallen firefighters. It allows motorcycle owners to purchase these plates for a $40 fee, with $28 of that amount directed to the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighter Memorial and $12 allocated to the state department of transportation for manufacturing. The plates are designed to be similar to existing automotive memorial plates and will fund the statewide memorial located at the Massachusetts State House.

By Representative Smola of Warren, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2665) of Todd M. Smola and others for legislation to include certain certified emergency telecommunicators in Group 2 of the contributory retirement system for public employees. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify the rights of call firefighters, who volunteer to respond to emergencies without a guaranteed salary. Specifically, it changes a legal provision to ensure that these volunteers are eligible for certain benefits regardless of their specific employment status. The change is a minor textual edit that broadens the scope of protections available to this group of emergency responders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to formally include certified emergency telecommunicators in the list of essential workers eligible for specific protections under state regulations. It directly affects full-time dispatchers, supervisors, communications center directors, and chiefs who are certified by the state 911 Department. The key provision adds these roles to a legal definition previously limited to hospital staff, ensuring they receive the same statutory recognition. This change clarifies the legal status of 911 professionals without altering their daily duties or pay structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain local districts and non-state government entities to pay their fair share of retirement costs for employees participating in the Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System. It establishes a new process where an actuary calculates these payments as a percentage of payroll, considering factors like employee demographics and job classifications, with reviews occurring at least every three years. The legislation also introduces a penalty requiring employers who miss payment deadlines to pay an additional 10% of the overdue amount, while simultaneously waiving past-due payments from 2013 through 2015. These changes aim to improve funding for the retirement system and ensure consistent contributions from various types of public employers.

Senate, March 4, 2024 --The committee on Public Service to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1689) of Anne M. Gobi and Deborah B. Goldberg, Treasurer and Receiver General for legislation relative to non-Commonwealth entities within the state employees’ retirement system, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2611).

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Elder Affairs to develop a plan for providing specialized services to individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's disease who are enrolled in MassHealth's frail elder home and community-based services waiver. The legislation requires the department to identify specific needs and barriers faced by this population and propose strategies to improve care and support. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department report its findings and proposed plan to the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs by a specified deadline.

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2427) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr, Patrick M. O'Connor and Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to promote public payroll transparency. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.