Sen. Peter Durant

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law regarding protective custody by clarifying that custody must continue "for the duration of necessary transport, screening, and evaluation for treatment" and adding "and evaluation" to the existing text. It directly affects individuals placed in protective custody for emergency mental health evaluations, ensuring custody remains in place during medical screening and assessment. The key change specifies that protective custody does not end before these evaluation steps are completed. The amendment makes the existing process clearer without altering eligibility or treatment protocols. (3 sentences)

Maddy summarySD 1388 requires nursing homes to report quarterly on the use of psychotropic medications (like antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs) to federal agencies. Nursing homes must publicly post these reports online and document in each resident's care plan the prescriber's details, evaluation date, medical justification, and proof of informed consent. Failure to submit reports can result in fines, and repeated failures may lead to suspending new admissions. The bill directly affects nursing homes, residents receiving these medications, and prescribers by increasing transparency and accountability. It focuses on administrative reporting and documentation requirements without changing medication protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law governing health purchasing cooperatives. It increases the maximum membership cap from 6 to 8 members (Section 12), raises the annual revenue threshold from $85,000 to $100,000 (Section 12), and removes a specific subsection (v) from Section 13(b). These changes adjust numerical thresholds and provisions within the existing regulatory framework for health cooperatives. The bill directly affects entities operating under Chapter 176J by modifying their eligibility and operational parameters.

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 288) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to bonded warehouses. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Senate, February 17, 2026 -- Substituted as a new draft (Senator Durant) for the Senate Bill authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain land in the town of Brookfield (Senate, No. 2128).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the list of towns served by Gardner District Court. It removes Winchendon from the current district description and updates the list to include Ashburnham, Gardner, Hubbardston, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon. The change directly affects residents in these towns, as it clarifies which communities fall under the Gardner District Court's jurisdiction. The bill makes a technical adjustment to court district boundaries without altering court operations or creating new policies.

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2128) of Peter J. Durant and Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. for legislation to authorize the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to convey certain land in the town of Brookfield. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 48) allows cities and towns using cooperative purchasing agreements to award contracts to multiple vendors through a request for proposals (RFP). It directly affects public procurement units that manage these cooperative agreements, giving their chief procurement officers the authority to choose multiple vendors when they determine it benefits the agreement. The key provision removes a barrier that previously limited such agreements to single vendors, enabling more flexible and competitive procurement. This change streamlines how local governments can source goods and services through shared purchasing programs.

Maddy summarySD 174 creates a new legal framework (Chapter 40X) for public-private partnerships to deliver infrastructure projects like water treatment, wastewater systems, and flood control. It allows public agencies (such as municipalities, water districts, or redevelopment authorities) to bypass standard competitive bidding rules when selecting private partners for these projects. The bill establishes procedures for evaluating proposals based on factors like life-cycle costs and performance guarantees, requiring agencies to explain if they choose a non-lowest-cost option. It directly affects how public agencies contract with private entities for critical infrastructure maintenance and construction.

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2129) of Peter J. Durant and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to remote access for public bodies and town meetings. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.