Sen. Ryan Fattman

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to establish a specific order of priority for making health care decisions when a person lacks capacity and has not appointed a health care agent. Under the new rules, decisions would be made by the spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings, or other close relatives who have shown special care and maintained regular contact. The legislation also adds restrictions preventing individuals with certain criminal convictions or pending investigations related to serious bodily injury or neglect from serving as default decision-makers. These changes aim to ensure that medical choices reflect the patient's wishes or best interests while protecting vulnerable adults from potential abuse.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help public and charter schools in Massachusetts develop robotics and STEM education initiatives. The funding is intended to assist students in succeeding academically and pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Schools without existing robotics clubs will receive priority, as will those located in specific rural and coastal counties. Additionally, the program requires funded schools to register their teams with recognized robotics organizations and mandates annual evaluations to assess the success and potential for expanding these programs statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts public high schools to teach hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator use as part of the physical or health education curriculum for grades 9 through 12. To meet this requirement, school districts must choose a free training program based on a nationally recognized standard that includes hands-on practice for every student. Participation is mandatory for graduation, but students can be exempted if a doctor certifies that the training would be harmful to them or if a parent or guardian submits a written objection. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts handles domestic violence and sexual assault cases, aiming to improve resources and victim safety. The commission will include government officials, non-profit leaders, and two survivors of domestic abuse to analyze current systems, particularly within probation departments. Its work involves reviewing how victims are treated during legal proceedings, assessing barriers based on income, and exploring ways to report misconduct by probation officers. Additionally, the bill creates dedicated domestic violence and sexual assault probation units in various courts to employ victim advocates who serve as liaisons between victims and probation officers. These advocates will help victims understand their rights, communicate with officers, and ensure their voices are heard throughout the legal process.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to expand protections against discrimination in education based on a person's medical status. It defines "special medical status" to include disabilities and whether an individual is receiving or not receiving medical treatment. The changes apply to both initial admission and continued enrollment, ensuring these protections cover students already in schools. By adding "special medical status" to the list of protected categories, the legislation aims to prevent discrimination against students due to their health conditions or treatment choices.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Town of Wales to create a new Department of Public Works, replacing the existing elected office of road commissioner with an appointed director. The director will be hired by the Board of Selectmen and will manage town road maintenance and other public works operations previously handled by the road commissioner. Additionally, the town may use bylaws to grant the department specific duties like park construction and building maintenance, while all existing contracts and equipment will transfer to the new department.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to increase the minimum contribution required for the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund from $1 to $5. The change directly affects individuals or entities that currently make donations to this specific fund for forest maintenance. By updating the statutory language, the legislation ensures that the trust fund can receive higher contributions to support its operations. This adjustment is a straightforward policy update that modifies the financial threshold for donations without altering the fund's overall purpose or management structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the law governing the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund by increasing the required minimum contribution from $1 to $5. The change directly affects the fund's financial structure, ensuring a higher baseline amount is maintained for forest upkeep. By raising this specific monetary threshold, the legislation aims to provide more resources for the maintenance of the Douglas State Forest.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts governor to declare March 21 as Massachusetts Child Nutrition Day and establishes new rules for food served in public schools. It mandates that at least 50% of weekly lunch entrées must be fiber-rich whole foods while limiting ultra-processed items and those high in cholesterol or saturated fat to no more than 20%. Schools must also publicly share monthly nutrition data to prove compliance, with a three-year transition period for food service providers to meet these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to update teacher training programs to include instruction on augmentative and alternative communication and assistive technologies. It directly affects educators by mandating that their professional development plans address the specific needs of nonverbal students or those with limited speech. The law ensures that future teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to support children with disabilities who rely on these communication tools.