Submits the Governor’s fiscal year 2024 budget recommendations — appropriates roughly $55.5 billion, including $19.8 billion for MassHealth, $1.26 billion in unrestricted local aid, $6.58 billion in Chapter 70 aid to school districts, $1.36 billion for the Department of Children and Families, $1.46 billion for the Department of Early Education and Care, and $528.9 million for MassDOT; additionally, implements the new 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million. The bill also adds $1 billion in “fair share” spending, set forth in a new §2F, that comprises all the spending that the Governor expects to be available from the “millionaire's tax” revenues passed by the voters in November. This includes 20 new line items, including $181 million for MBTA capital investments, $140 million for higher education capital funding, and $100 million each for childcare grants to providers, highway bridge preservation, and municipal partnership programs, among other items. For more information, view our section-by-section summary of the outside sections. 

Submits the Governor’s fiscal year 2025 budget recommendations — appropriates roughly $58.1 billion, including $20.3 billion for MassHealth, $1.31 billion in unrestricted local aid, $6.86 billion in Chapter 70 aid to school districts, $1.51 billion for UMass, state universities and community colleges, $588 million for MassDOT, and $314 million for the MBTA.  The proposal also appropriates a little over $1 billion in expected “fair share” revenue across 15 line-items — highlights include $170 million for universal free school meals, $150 million in grants to childcare providers, $125 million for higher education capital improvements, $124 million for local road and bridge repair, $45 million for MBTA low-income fare relief, and $24 million for the MassReconnect scholarship program.  The outside sections authorize online lottery sales; substantially overhaul assessments on hospitals and managed care organizations, as well as transfers from the Health Safety Net Trust Fund; implement a one-time tax amnesty program; facilitate the closure of MCI Concord; and update procedures for the promotion of state police officers.

Extends all of the simulcast statutes for racing and wagering from July 31, 2023 to July 31, 2026, thus continuing wagering on horse and dog races simulcast from other racetracks at off-track betting facilities in East Boston and Raynham and in Plainville at Plainridge Park Casino; this latest extension of statutes governing simulcast wagering extends provisions that were set to expire on July 31, 2026. Additionally, the bill classifies the period between the date of enactment of this bill and July 31, 2026 as so-called dark days, during which live racing is precluded unless a supplemental license is received; requires simulcasts to comply with the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, or if not applicable, to receive approval of the New England Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.

Amends provisions relative to the Special Audit Units in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Department of the State Police to have the routing of their annual reports not go directly to the legislature, but first to the Inspector General, who will then forward it on to the legislature.

Updates Chapter 30B (Uniform Procurement Act) to include correct statutory eferences based on amendments to other statutes; strikes a section of Chapter 30B that is duplicative.

Amends GL 32:15 relative to 'dereliction of duty' by members of the state retirement system and the procedure for forfeiting a pension by rewriting the section completely. The legislation would, among other things, redefine the phrase "criminal offense involving violation of the laws applicable to his office or position' in the case of a member whose primary job responsibilities involve contact with children or any member of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System or a teacher who is a member of the Boston Retirement System to include possession of child pornography under GL 272:29C, as well as other sex offenses involving children; restrict forfeitures to felony convictions; allow for an "innocent beneficiary" named as an Option C beneficiary to collect the Option C survivor benefit notwithstanding the member's forfeited benefit; continues to allow total forfeiture, but also allows retirement boards the option of a tiered reduction in pension benefits depending on the severity of the crime; and make a large number of other technical changes. NOTE: Same as HB17, recommended by the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System.

Amends GL 32:91 (Payment of Pensioners for Services after Retirement) to provide that, if a retiree earns more than the allowable maximum and said excess is not recovered by the person responsible for the payment of the compensation, the retirement board of which the retiree is a member may recover the overearnings amount; prohibits said recovered amount from exceeding the amount of the retirement allowance paid in the year in which the overearnings occurred.

Amends GL 32:8 relative to the evaluation and reexamination of members retired for disability to substantially rewrite the provisions on the modifications of retirement allowance; provides that when a determination is made that a retirement allowance should be modified, the retiree and the appropriate Retirement Board will be notified, and the retiree will be given the opportunity to be heard by the Commission or its designee. The retiree may appeal the Commission's determination to the Contributory Retirement Appeal Board; any modification will remain in effect, for at least one year, unless a medical report finds that the mental or physical condition of such member has deteriorated; the applicable Retirement Board may pay over to a health insurance carrier that portion of the allowance to maintain the disability retiree's health insurance coverage; PERAC will also be required to establish regulations providing a system for annually adjusting for inflation and for the determination of the potential earnings of any  retired member based upon a member's functional capacity, age, education, and experience.

Amends GL 32:7 (Accidental Disability Pensions) to authorize members or beneficiaries filing for accidental disability benefits solely on the basis of an emotional disability to use the official records of their department to establish proof of an injury sustained or a hazard undergone.

Amends GL 32:20C (Retirement Board Member Statement of Financial Interest) by allowing board members potentially subject to removal for failure to file statements of financial interest, to seek waivers of their removal and future exclusion due to extenuating circumstances; conditions such waiver on filing a statement of financial interest with the public employee retirement administration commission by a designated date. New draft of HB13. The new draft makes grammatical and technical corrections to the previous bill.

Amends GL 32:4 to require make-up payments for creditable service in cases where an employee worked in any government unit prior to the retirement system becoming operative.   

Amends GL Chapter 32:1 to include accrued sick, personal, and vacation time when defining employee wages. 

Establishes a 15-member special commission to evaluate and study the costs and benefits attributable to all retirement credit purchases; articulates the qualifications of commission members; identifies several areas of investigation for the commission; requires the commission to file its recommendations with the legislature by May 1, 2024.

Amends GL 32:15 relative to “dereliction of duty” by members of the state retirement system and the procedure for forfeiting a pension by rewriting the section completely The legislation would, among other things, redefine the phrase “criminal offense involving violation of the laws applicable to his office or position” in the case of a member whose primary job responsibilities involve contact with children or any member of the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System or a teacher who is a member of the Boston Retirement System to include possession of child pornography under GL 272:29C, as well as other sex offenses involving children; restrict forfeitures to felony convictions; allow for an "innocent beneficiary" named as an Option C beneficiary to collect the Option C survivor benefit notwithstanding the member's forfeited benefit; continues to allow total forfeiture, but also allows retirement boards the option of a tiered reduction in pension benefits depending on the severity of the crime; and make a large number of other technical changes NOTE: Same as HB9, recommended by the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission.

Amends GL 32:3 regarding membership in retirement systems and pensions to authorize make-up payments when members return to employment, providing for interest to be calculated to the date of repayment, rather than the date of reemployment. 

Amends GL 32:4 (Creditable service), by entitling members of contributory retirement systems working in teaching positions, and who were previously engaged in teaching at special education programs in non-public schools, to creditable service for such work in non-public schools if the special education services were paid for by the Commonwealth; regulates payments for such creditable service.

Amends GL 32:19 (Contributory retirement system for public employees – exempt from taxation) by requiring assignments or attachment of a members retirement benefits due to a support order to be in forms prescribed by the retirement board; defines such support orders as those related to divorce, dissolution of marriage, support of children born during a marriage, abuse prevention or support of children born out of wedlock.

Amends GL 32:3 regarding credit for teachers for out of state service to expand eligibility to include service in any territory of the United States. 

Amends GL 32:1 regarding the definition of wages for retirement calculations, expanding the definition to include payments made by an employer to an employee in supplementation of weekly incapacity payments.   

Amends language in GL 32:3 governing leave for members of the state employees' retirement system due to mental or physical incapacity, allowing members to take leave for additional reasons contained in the family and medical leave law.

Submits the Governor’s reorganization plan, creating a new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities headed by a Secretary who will serve in the Governor’s cabinet. Renames the existing Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to the Executive Office of Economic Development, and transfers any housing related responsibilities to the new Executive Office.   

Appropriates a total of $282 million for several housing and food assistance programs, including $44.9 million for an expansion of DHCD’s Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and Services program; $40 million to assist school districts in providing aid to students whose families are experiencing homelessness; $65 million to continue the universal free student meals pilot program for the remainder of the school year; $130 million for a 3 month ramp-down of federal SNAP benefits which were expanded during the pandemic; and $2 million to reimburse individuals whose SNAP payments were stolen.   

No summary available.

Appropriates roughly $353 million for several housing and food assistance programs, including $44.9 million for an expansion of DHCD’s Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and Services program; $41 million to assist school districts in providing aid to students whose families are experiencing homelessness; $65 million to continue the universal free student meals pilot program for the remainder of the school year; $130 million for a 3 month ramp-down of federal SNAP benefits which were expanded during the pandemic; $68 million for early education and care workforce stabilization grants; and $2 million to reimburse individuals whose SNAP payments were stolen.  Additionally, provides for $585 million in bond authorizations to finance a variety of economic development projects, including $400 million to support MassWorks grants to municipalities for local infrastructure projects; $34 million to redevelop blighted, abandoned, vacant or underutilized properties; $15 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative; $14 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program; $9.3 million for broadband Middle Mile investments; and $8 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund. The outside sections extend several COVID-19 related policies, including remote meetings for public bodies, takeout wine, beer and cocktails, and expanded outdoor dining; clarify language governing occupational licensure for sports wagering; make remote notarization procedures permanent; and continue several special commissions.  For more information, view our section-by-section summary. 

Appropriates roughly $353 million for several housing and food assistance programs, including $44.9 million for an expansion of DHCD’s Emergency Assistance Family Shelters and Services program; $41 million to assist school districts in providing aid to students whose families are experiencing homelessness; $65 million to continue the universal free student meals pilot program for the remainder of the school year; $130 million for a 3 month ramp-down of federal SNAP benefits which were expanded during the pandemic; $68 million for early education and care workforce stabilization grants; and $2 million to reimburse individuals whose SNAP payments were stolen.  Additionally, provides for $635 million in bond authorizations to finance a variety of economic development projects, including $400 million to support MassWorks grants to municipalities for local infrastructure projects; $50 million for a matching grant program to support academic institutions, nonprofits, industry consortiums, and federally funded research and development centers in competing for federal CHIPS Act funding; $34 million to redevelop blighted, abandoned, vacant or underutilized properties; $15 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative; $14 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program; $9.3 million for broadband Middle Mile investments; and $8 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund. The outside sections extend several COVID-19 related policies, including remote meetings for public bodies, takeout wine, beer and cocktails, and expanded outdoor dining; clarify language governing occupational licensure for sports wagering; make remote notarization procedures permanent; and continue several special commissions.  The “reprinted as amended” budget revives and extends several special commissions, authorizes a new $50 million line item for matching grants for the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation (MassTech), and increases the bonding by $50 million to match the new line item.

Enacts a new Chapter 93M into the General Laws, entitled The Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act. The new act creates a great many definitions related to types of information, and applies generally to personal information processed by businesses, where the business (1) had annual global gross revenues in excess of 25,000,000 dollars; or (2) is a data broker; or (3) processed the personal information of not less than 100,000 individuals, (excluding info processed solely for payments transactions). Governmental agencies and entities are generally not subject to the act. Personal information is to be (1) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the individual and in compliance with this chapter; (2) collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; (3) processed in a manner that is adequate, relevant and limited to what is reasonably necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed; (4) maintained in a manner such that the information is accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; (5) maintained in a form which permits identification of individuals for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal information is processed; and (6) processed in a manner that ensures that the information remains appropriately secure. In addition, there are provisions relative to privacy notifications, for how to opt out of the sale of personal information and targeted advertising, the rights of consumers to access and transport personal information, and the right to delete and correct personal information. The bill establishes both a private right of action, and also gives the Attorney General enforcement powers.

Establishes a new open data standard for the commonwealth; mandates appointment of a  Chief Data Officer of the Commonwealth, reporting to the Secretary for Administration and Finance, and who would be charged with creating an inventory of all available public data in the Commonwealth, establishing an open data portal, establishing an open data standard for state agencies to make public data available on, and establishing an online forum located on the open data portal to solicit feedback from the public; allows local government to adopt the standard at their discretion. 

Adds a new Section 11 to GL Chapter 7D (Massachuestts Office of Information Technology) to establish a 30 member commission within the executive office of technology services and security for the purpose of studying and making recommendations relative to the use by the Commonwealth of automated decision systems that may affect human welfare, including but not limited to the legal rights and privileges of individuals; articulates the qualifications of commission members; defines automated decision system; identifies several areas of specific investigation for the commission; requires the commission to submit an annual report to the legislature by December 31.

Amends SL 1950:639 (An Act to Provide for the Safety of the Commonwealth During the Existence of an Emergency Resulting from Disaster or from Hostile Action) by adding references to “cybersecurity attacks” and “cyber system” and empowering the Civil Defense Agency to respond to such cyber attacks.

Requires the Office of the State Treasurer to develop and periodically update a digital module on cryptocurrencies and digital assets, in order to support Massachusetts residents with overseeing their finances, understanding money management strategies, and protecting their security.

Establishes a framework for a comprehensive statewide policy on recovering municipal costs for digital infrastructure in public rights of way, including regulation of use of such digital infrastructure by streaming entertainment services; directs the commonwealth to regulate the commercial sale of streaming digital entertainment services, and recover municipal costs of use of public rights of way by such services; requires such services to pay a cost recovery assessment of five percent of gross revenues to the commonwealth; regulates submission of bi-annual financial statements, and calculation of penalties for failure to submit the calculated assessment; establishes and regulates the use of the streaming entertainment fund for deposit of such assessments; requires distribution of 1/5 of the fund to the general fund, 2/5 to municipalities and 2/5 to community media centers; authorizes municipalities to establish separate accounts for the deposit of such funds.  

Adds a new Section 10 to GL Chapter 7D, directing the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to lead state executive branch agency efforts to establish and reengineer the state's information technology architecture in order to coordinate central and individual agency information technology, while still complying with strategic plans and ensuring use of cost-effective, efficient systems; requires annual evaluation of security standards through independent third party evaluations; further requires the office to act as a contractor between executive branch departments and private sector vendors, and to consider use of cloud computing service options.  NOTE: GL 7D:10 already exists, and pertains to authorizing the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security to collect, maintain, store, share, utilize, analyze and disseminate data.

Establishes a municipal broadband fund and a 50 cent surcharge on internet services to be deposited in it; requires the development of a net neutral seal of approval; requires all state and municipal internet contracts be with net neutral providers.

Adds a new Section 12 to GL Chapter 7D (Massachusetts Office of Information Technology) to define certain social media companies and specifically identifies ByteDance, TikTok and WeChat as covered companies; directs the Secretary to develop and implement a plan to remove any referenced hardware products of such companies from the commonwealth, county, and municipal networks, remove any referenced software products from the commonwealth, county, and municipal network, implement measures to prevent the installation of referenced hardware and software products on commonwealth owned or managed technology assets; and implement network-based restrictions to prevent the use of, or access to prohibited services; imposes reporting requirements on Secretary.

Adds a new Section 24 to GL Chapter.30B (Uniform Procurement Act) by requiring that all contracts, subcontracts or procurements of over $500,000 made by the Commonwealth or any of its quasi government agencies or independent agencies involving any electronic or cyber security equipment component, must comply with the regulations set forth in the Commerce Control List promulgated by the Federal Bureau of Industry and Security. Further requires the chief procurement officer to adopt and update rules and regulations prohibiting the procurement of any equipment and services contained in the Covered List published by the Federal Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau pursuant to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, Pub. L. 116-124. Any entity that receives grant monies or other funding from the Commonwealth may not purchase or use any electronic or cyber security equipment or component parts produced by entities based in China, including the Chinese Communist Party. Any entity that receives grant monies or other funding from the Commonwealth that owns or uses such components must develop a plan to replace them no later than 180 days after submitting their plan.

Adds a new Section 18AA to GL Chapter 6A to emphasize mitigating the impacts of food supply chain disruptions; amends several sections of GL Chapter 20 on food policy council to create the role of food system coordinator; adds new section to establish program for Department of Agriculture businesses to have resources for state programs and funding opportunities; mandates that fair market value of agricultural land includes the value of infrastructure and shared properties; directs the department to create a program to conserve and provide equitable access to agricultural lands; protects the department’s right to eminent domain for agricultural purposes; and adds new section to GL Chapter 29 to establish the Next Generation Farmers Fund. 

Amends GL 94G:1 and GL 128:116, governing definitions for marijuana regulation and cultivation, to interdefine 'hemp' with the federal definition; substantially amends Sections 117 through 123 of GL Chapter 128 to deregulate the sale and use for commercial purposes of hemp; excludes cannabidinol (CBD) extracts and hemp products from the definition of 'marijuana.'  

Amends GL Chapter 30A (State Administrative Procedure) to require all state and regional agencies, boards and commissions to post in writing whether or not any new regulatory requirement will potentially have an adverse impact on commercial agricultural operations based in the Commonwealth; if so, an impact assessment must be conducted to determine the scope of the impact. Requires the same for city and town agencies, boards, and commissions before enacting any rule or regulation. Prohibits any regulatory action, except those of an emergency nature from taking effect until these provisions have been complied with; provides that, if the assessment indicates that the proposed rule or regulation would cost at least of $500 per year and/or 20 hours per year in labor, a copy of these findings shall be submitted to the Board of Agriculture for comments and suggestions to mitigate such cost or negative impact and their findings are to be returned to the legislature no more than 15 days prior to promulgation.

Adds a new Section 33 to GL Chapter 20 (Department of Food and Agriculture) immunizing farmers from liability for damages caused by PFAS contamination resulting from standard agricultural practices; establishes an Agricultural PFAS Relief Fund for farmers with losses or costs resulting from PFAS contamination due to standard agricultural practices; exempts land removed from agricultural or horticultural use due to regulatory action regarding PFAS from conveyance taxes under GL 61A:12 and roll-back taxes under GL 61A:13; adds a new Section 171A to GL Chapter 111 requiring 'biosolids' be tested for PFAS; adds a new Section 66A to GL Chapter 128 establishing licensure for the sale of soil and soil additives such as compost and mulch that has not been tested for PFAS.

Amends GL Chapter 94G (Recreational Marijuana) to add several new provisions; the first of these establishes and regulates an internal special audit unit within the Commission, supervised by the Inspector General. The second  requires the Commission, the Department of Agricultural Resources, and the Department of Public Health to enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding joint implementation, consultation, collaboration, and enforcement actions. 

Amends provisions of GL 6A:16U relative to networks of community-based services and family resource centers and GL 119:39E relative to child is in need of services (“CHINS”).  With respect to community-based services networks, the bill adds provisions that each family requiring assistance is to be assigned a case manager, who must convene a multidisciplinary team as needed with the goal of providing supports to the child and their family outside of the juvenile court process to the extent possible. A case manager is not to refer a family to the juvenile court for the purpose of filing a child requiring assistance petition unless all other community-based service options have been exhausted.  Amends the CHINS petition process to establish that if a probation officer determines that community-based options have not been exhausted and the supports requested in the filing can be obtained through a community-based service provider, the probation officer is to directly connect the petitioner to a family resource center. The bill also repeals GL 69:10 relative to reimbursement for certain educational expenditures, and makes some other technical amendments.

Amends GL Chapter 32A, Chapter 118E and Chapter 175, among others, to require the GIC, Medicaid and private insurance plans to cover the cost of a vision screening for children conducted within 12 months of entering kindergarten; requires the provision of coverage for a comprehensive eye examination for children who fail to pass the vision screening or are diagnosed with neuro-developmental delay.

Amends GL 19C:15 (Registry of abusive care providers) to prevent the Department of Youth Services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Early Education and Care, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or any other entity providing services or treatment to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities from employing or utilizing the services of someone whose name appears on the registry of abusive care providers.  

This substantial bill, comprising 71 sections and 57 printed pages, deals with various legal and regulatory aspects of assisted living for older adults, especially older adults with disabilities.  The bill enacts a new Chapter 19D½ entitled Personal Care Homes into the General Laws. The new chapter authorizes and regulates the establishment of Personal Care Homes. These are homes designed to provide safe, humane, comfortable and supportive residential settings for adults who require assistance or supervision with activities of daily living. In particular, the bill: Rewrites the provisions relative to participation by public bodies in remote meetings; Makes changes to the membership of the Architectural Access Board; Requires the AAB to create detailed architectural standards for adaptable and accessible dwelling units and provisions that ensure rights and remedies equal to or greater than those provided by the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Department of Justice's Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design and related regulations for multiple dwellings; Makes a number of grammatical changes reflecting the new architectural standards; Establishes that the property tax reduction authorized in exchange for volunteer services by the elderly, may be authorized for those who were prevented from volunteering because of the Covid 19 pandemic; Adds new provisions to the Department of Housing and Community Development that establishes eligible individuals who intend to retrofit their dwelling unit or hire someone to do so may qualify for a livable home modification grant equal to 50% of the total cost, not exceeding $5,000; if the retrofitting project includes at least one accessibility feature or sensory modification; Amends provisions relative to the adjustment or recovery of Medicaid payments by establishing that there will be no adjustment or recovery in certain situations, including recovery from certain nursing home patients and for certain nursing services, except as required by federal law, and that there will be no recovery (1) if such recovery is not cost effective, (2) if such recovery would create an undue hardship; Amends provisions relative to the use of death certificate and probate petition to determine Medicaid recovery claims; Adds new provisions to Medicaid requiring the Division to provide expanded notice regarding the conditions under which estate recovery may be sought;  Amends provisions relative to zoning to establish that no zoning ordinance or by-law shall prohibit or require a special permit for the use of land or structures for an accessory dwelling unit, if meeting certain requirements.

Amends GL 19:21 to specify the Department of Mental Health’s responsibilities for individuals requiring specialized mental health services to include inpatient services, community-based services, mobile crisis intervention, intensive residential programs, and crisis stabilization services; amends GL Chapter 119 to direct the Department of Children and Families to develop an emergency response plan for medical and behavioral health crises in congregate care settings, which includes de-escalation strategies, suicide prevention, and peer support; mandates that congregate care programs implement emergency response plans; allows for children in the department’s care or custody to return to their congregate care program following a leave of absence if it is deemed appropriate by department’s emergency team; orders the department to create a plan addressing the access to mental and behavioral health services for children in state custody or care; outlines plan requirements; establishes a special commission to study children and adolescents with behavioral health needs whose needs are not adequately met through the department’s inpatient hospitalizations, community-based treatment, or residential treatment; lists commission membership requirements and directs their findings to be submitted by January 1, 2024. 

Establishes a new grant program in seven new sections to GL Chapter 23B (Department of Housing and Community Development) of up to $5,000 for the installation or retrofit of home accessibility features.

Amends GL 6:186 (The Governor, Certain Officers Under the Governor, etc.) to establish a new Accessibility in the Creative Economy Trust Fund and grant program, to be administered by the Office on Disability, for the purpose of supporting projects involving the disabled that are part of the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences sector; requires that no less than .05 of the funds appropriated for EOHHS is to be  designated for the ACE grant program.

Amends GL 119:23 (Protection and care of children) to provide that foster parents are public employees for the purposes of collective bargaining laws and certain other state laws; sets out the mandatory subjects as to which the Department of Children and Families and the employee organization certified by the department of labor relations as the bargaining representative of foster parents shall bargain; preserves the Department's rights and responsibilities with respect to placement of children in foster homes, licensing of foster parents and inspection of foster homes.

Adds a new Section 21 to GL Chapter 18C (Office of the Child Advocate) to authorize the child advocate, or the child advocate’s designee, to represent, appear, intervene in or bring an action on behalf the commonwealth or of any child in any proceeding before any state or federal court, tribunal, agency, board or commission in which matters related to this chapter are in issue

Amends multiple GLs to replace archaic terms such as "handicapped" or "mentally retarded," with the phrase "persons with disabilities" or other similar language. 

Adds new provisions to GL Chapter 18C (Office of the Child Advocate) that establishes a state child fatality review team and local child fatality review teams to address preventable child fatalities and near fatalities. In particular: The State Child Fatality Review Team is to include the Child Advocate, Commissioner of Public Health, Chief Medical Examiner, and other enumerated officials. The team is to provide recommendations and reports on findings to the government and the public. The Local Child Fatality Review Teams are to be comprised of the various district attorneys, the chief medical examiner in each county, and representatives from various other departments with designated expertise. The aim is to coordinate data collection, promote cooperation among agencies, understand local child fatality causes, and advise the state team on relevant changes. Information shared among the teams is confidential, subject to exemptions from disclosure. Members cannot be questioned in legal proceedings regarding team discussions. Information, documents, and records of the teams are not subject to subpoena or introduction as evidence, ensuring confidentiality. The bill also repeals GL 38:2 which currently regulates state and local multidisciplinary child fatality review teams. Finally, amends GL 38:3 relative to the duty of various persons to report on the death of a person to the Chief Medical Examiner, or to designated medical examiners, by including the State Child Fatality Review Team in the case of the death of a child.

This omnibus legislation, comprising 38 sections on 33 printed pages, including a number of amendments to GL Chapter 18B (Department of Social Services, now known as DCF), GL Chapter 18C (Office of Child Advocate), and GL Chapter 119 (Protection and Care of Children, and Proceedings Against Them). In particular, the bill: Establishes and regulates the appointment of an education manager within DCF, responsible for overseeing educational policies for children under the department's care and custody.  Requires at least one full-time education coordinator to be appointed at each DCF area office. Mandates that DCF issue an annual report by October 31 that outlines its performance in the previous fiscal year, and requires DCF to publish quarterly profiles on the department's website within 45 days after each fiscal quarter. Requires an annual special report on services provided to young adults over 18 who were previously under the department's care. Mandates an annual special report on the department's fair hearing processes and cases, including data on fair hearing requests, outcomes, timeframes, and decisions. Requires the Office of Child Advocate to establish and maintain a website where mandated reporter training materials, guidance, statutory references, and best practices will be accessible to all mandated reporters in the state. In addition, the bill establishes a “Bill of Rights” for children in foster care, which is essentially identical to HB164 and SB68. Among other things, that bill of rights would provide protection against abuse, access to proper care, and access to a safe environment. Rights to information about foster families, gender identity respect, and familial connections are outlined The bill also makes a number of technical changes and strikes out several sections that have essentially been superseded by new provisions.

Amends GL Chapter 7 to set standards for Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose when establishing rates of payment for department contracts for direct care staff, including that (i) the salary allowance for a direct care staff be consistent with the Bureau of Labor Statistics at a minimum of the 75th percentile of positions in the commonwealth which have job codes of similar responsibilities; (ii) the salary increases determined for front-line supervisors, directors, clinicians, caseworkers, employment specialists, case managers, and other direct care staff or direct support professionals increase in proportion with the increases in clause (i); (iii) salary increases not be incorporated for those in positions of chief executive officer, chief financial officer, comptroller, chief operating officer or related executive staff; (iv) the formula for determining the reimbursement in calculating the employer’s portion of fringe benefits be benchmarked to changes in the same costs in the health or education sector.

Comprising 89 sections but only 19 printed pages, this bill renames and redefines the Disabled Persons Protection Committee as the Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities.  Among other things, the bill adds definitions for “abuse per se,” “mandated reporter,” “recommendation,” “reportable condition,” and “state agency,” and updates several other definitions. The bill makes also makes a number of grammatical and technical changes in GL Chapter 19C and in other relevant general laws, but does not appear to change the central mission of the agency or the way that it operates.

Amends provisions related to Executive Office of Health & Human Services agencies to prohibit the use of aversive therapies among the agencies; aversive therapies includes any procedure which causes obvious signs of physical pain, including, but not limited to, hitting, pinching, and electric shock for the purposes of changing behavior; any form of physical contact or punishment would be prohibited by law if used on a non-disabled person; and no deprivation of reasonable sleep, food, shelter, bedding, bathroom facilities, or any other aspect expected of a humane existence.

Directs the Department of Children and Families to submit an annual special report to the legislature on the progress of its foster parent recruitment campaign; requires the report to include the number of foster parents recruited by the campaign, costs associated with the campaign, difficulties in recruiting new foster parents, and recruiting methods employed by DCF; provides for this reporting requirement to expire on December 31, 2022.

Adds new provisions to GL Chapter 6A (Executive Offices) to establish and regulate a "Children's Cabinet." The cabinet is to include several secretaries and commissioners, and is, among other things,  intended to develop and implement a shared and cohesive vision using integrated services to improve child, youth, and family outcomes, including issues relating to child poverty, educational preparedness, mental health, homelessness, foster care, juvenile justice, and the health, safety and welfare of children. In addition, the Governor is to appoint an advisory committee that will meet not less six times a year. The Children’s Cabinet is to provide an annual report concerning its activities, by November 1 of each year.

Directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, or the Department of Housing and Community Development to increase the rate of reimbursement for human services providers according to the listed timeframe in order to eliminate the difference in salary between human service workers and direct support workers employed by the commonwealth; requires elimination of the disparity by July 1, 2025; directs the included departments to submit reports with recommendations for improving recruitment and retention, as well as the current disparity amount and annual increases necessary to eliminate the disparity starting in July 2020 and continuing until the disparity is eliminated. 

Adds provisions to GL Chapter 6A (Executive Offices) establishing that an unaccompanied minor in need of supportive services or shelter may consent to shelter and supportive services if the service provider reasonably believes (1) the unaccompanied minor understands the significant benefits, responsibilities, risks, and limits of the shelter and service and can communicate an informed consent; (2) the unaccompanied minor understands the requirements and rules of the shelter and services; and (3) the shelter and services are necessary to ensure the unaccompanied minor’s safety and wellbeing. A service provider that provides supportive services or shelter to an unaccompanied minor in need of services or shelter may not be held civilly or criminally liable based solely on the provider’s reasonable determination to provide the shelter and supportive services.

Adds a new Chapter 119B to the General Laws, entitled Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (or the 'SHIELD Act'); requires all public or private schools, including those that provide activities and socialization for minors operated by educational institutions, to adopt the abuse prevention policy promulgated by the Department of Children and Families; directs the department to review the model abuse prevention policy at least one every five years; additionally requires all mandated reporters, including school employees and employees of youth serving organizations, to receive biennial instruction on the prevention, identification, and reporting of child sexual abuse; details components of the training, including recognizing, appropriately responding to and preventing behaviors violating the school abuse prevention policy; requires the policy to address inappropriate, coercive or abusive behaviors between minors; additionally requires all schools serving elementary or secondary school students, and all youth serving organizations to provide age appropriate instruction to help students recognize inappropriate behavior that poses a sexual risk; requires the use of tested, research-based materials in implementing such programs.

Provides that reports of animal cruelty by the Department of Elder Affairs, Disabled Persons Protection Commission and Department of Children and Families may be made outside the scope of an investigation; allows the department of children and families to require a foster/pre-adoptive parent applicant or foster/pre-adoptive parent to obtain and provide a copy of a behavior/temperament assessment and/or provide veterinary records on any animal maintained on the premises used as a foster/pre-adoptive home.

Amends the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (GL Chapter 190B) by adding a new section 5-508, the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act, the purpose of which is to create a process by which adults with disabilities who need assistance with decisions may choose to make and communicate decisions; regulates the process by which an adult with a disability can voluntarily enter into a supported-decision making agreement with another adult who can provide assistance in making decisions with the disabled adult’s consent; regulates terms and limitations of such agreements, and allows a disabled person to revoke the agreement at any time; allows the disabled person to enter into separate health care proxies and durable powers of attorney. Amends GL 6A:16, by directing the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish training programs on supported decision making, to be provided to both supporters and principals; amends GL 71:3, by requiring notification of any student on an IEP for whom adult guardianship is being considered of the availability of supported decision making as an alternative to adult guardianship.

Establishes a new GL 11OI, establishing protections to prevent the financial exploitation of adults over the age of 60 or disabled persons as defined by the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (GL Chapter 19C); authorizes agents, investment adviser representatives or others who serve in a supervisory, compliance or legal capacity for a broker-dealer or investment adviser to report suspected financial exploitation of eligible adults to the secretary of the commonwealth, the disabled persons protection commission, or the executive office for elder affairs; additionally allows such individuals to report suspected financial exploitation to any previously designated third party; exempts individuals making such disclosures in good faith from liability; authorizes and regulates the delay of disbursements from accounts held for or on behalf of eligible adults in cases of suspected financial exploitation; limits delays to a maximum of fifteen days, unless an extension is requested by the broker-dealer or investment advisor or unless ordered by the courts; requires release of related records the disabled persons protection commission, or the executive office for elder affairs and participating law enforcement agencies.

Comprised of 15 sections, this bill makes a number of changes to GL 119:51B relative to abuse and neglect reporting and the circumstances under which a child can be removed from the custody of the parent, intended to minimize trauma to court-involved children and families. In particular: Removes the current requirement that DCF take a child into immediate temporary custody when it has reasonable cause to believe that removal is necessary to protect a child from abuse or neglect; Adds a requirement for DCF to report quarterly on cases where it took custody of a child without obtaining a court order first; Requires consideration of a child's cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities to the factors to be considered when making placement decisions; Requires consideration of the importance of keeping siblings together in placement decisions, and specifies the circumstances under which they may be separated; Requires frequent visitation between separated siblings and requires DCF to make ongoing efforts to remedy any concerns that led to separate placements; Requires frequent visitation between parents and a child when the child has been removed from the house, and sets specific parameters for visitation, including supervised visitation if unsupervised visitation would endanger the child's safety or well-being; Modifies the criteria for issuing an emergency order transferring custody of a child to DCF, a licensed child care agency or an individual; Authorizes a justice, after hours and under specific circumstances, to grant relief by telephone; Prohibits the rejection of a person's application to become a foster parent based on criminal history information other than specific subsections; Requires timely notice to a child's attorney in various situations, including changes in placement, hospitalization, arrests, or school-related issues; Adds a consideration of a minor's cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities when determining what is in the best interest of the minor in guardianship and adoption cases; Amends GL 211B:9 to require the establishment of a mandatory emergency judicial response system.

Amends GL Chapter 117A (Emergency aid for elders, disabled and children) to provide that any person experiencing homelessness, (i) who has no established place of abode, or who lives in a temporary emergency shelter, and (ii) who is otherwise eligible under the provisions of this chapter, shall receive the same payment rate as recipients who incur shelter costs including, but not limited to rent or a mortgage; indexes benefits under this program to inflation; provides that maximum level of benefits under this program shall be the same as TAFDC benefits.

Amends GL Chapter 112 to eliminate the social worker licensure requirement that applicants pass an examination prepared by the Board of Registration of Social Workers; establishes a provisionsal license valid for one year to be granted to applicants who have taken the examination for a social work associate no less than two times and failed within 15 points; provides that provisional licensee shall complete professional development, supervisory and educational requirements within one year and that upon completion of the provisional license requirements the licensee shall be granted a full license; establishes a special commission to investigate the creation of a new certification for child welfare workers at the department of children and families.

Adds a new Section 1D to GL Chapter 214, declaring the rights of homeless persons; defines persons experiencing homelessness as those who lack or are perceived to lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; entitles homeless persons to the listed rights and protections, including use of public spaces, to privacy in their personal property in public spaces, to interact with public officials, employees and law enforcement officers without harassment, to rest in public spaces and seek protection from adverse weather, to eat in any public space in which it is not prohibited and to occupy a legally parked motor vehicle; prohibits unlawful discrimination as a result of housing status; repeals laws defining and criminalizing being a tramp, vagrant or vagabond; further prohibits public accommodations from discriminating on the basis of housing status.

Requires the Architectural Access Board to promulgate regulations providing that any public building or place of public accommodation that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2026 shall install and maintain at least 1 universal changing station.

Establishes a student loan repayment program for human service workers to encourage individuals to enter the field and maintain employment at human service programs to be administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in accordance with guidelines promulgate by the Department of Higher Education; sets eligibility and preference criteria for loan recipients and maximum loan amounts.

Adds a new Section 116I½ to GL Chapter 6 directing the Municipal Police Training Committee to establish a training curriculum instructing law enforcement officers on appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum; amends several sections of GL Chapter 90 creating a process whereby individuals on the autism spectrum, or with other conditions or disabilities which may impede effective communication with law enforcement officers, can request license plates, driver’s licenses, learning permits, or identification cards that indicate a communication impediment. Provides for the Board of Education to issue endorsements in autism for paraprofessionals and teacher assistants with at least two years of relevant coursework and field experience; establishes an  independent review panel of 3 educators tasked with reviewing the Individualized Education Programs of students on the autism spectrum; requires students on the autism spectrum to be placed in a special education program, provided it is the least restrictive environment for that student; requires all teachers, paraprofessionals and teacher assistants assigned to classrooms with students on the autism spectrum to have an endorsement in autism from the Board of Education; requires video cameras to be installed in all classrooms or quiet rooms where students on the autism spectrum are taught.

Adds a new Section 2RRRRR to GL Chapter 29 to establish a Healthy Communities Trust Fund, funded by fees paid by nonprofit service providers when applying for a grant program or loan administered by a state agency; directs the implementation of a shared client data bank for said organizations.

Adds new provisions to GL c. 10 (State Treasurer) to establish a Downtown Vitality Fund on the books of the Commonwealth, to be funded through a dedicated remote retailers sales tax revenue amount. The fund is to be used to provide grants to establish and maintain district management entities in commercial areas, support small business districts in Gateway Cities and other low-income areas, expand entrepreneurship opportunities among underrepresented communities, strengthen cultural identity and prevent cultural displacement, and encourage a local match set at a level commensurate with the strength of the local market economy. 

Amends GL 40D:1 to include commercial enterprise and rental housing within the definition of industrial enterprise; removes references to the Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency whose duties have been delegated to an Industrial Development Financing Authority established in each municipality to give more autonomy, especially with regard to issuing bonds.

Submits the MassMakers Act, to provide skills to aspiring entrepreneurs and microbusinesses, and grow employment; amends GL Chapter 7 by requiring all executive offices to issue regulations ensuring diversity and inclusion in public bids; enables the MassMakers portal, a website for businesses to comply with state law and regulations and receive information about state business programs; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a task force to develop the portal; establishes and regulates the operation of the 'Supply Mass/Buy Mass' program; details the goals of the program, including disseminating business information. Establishes 'Mass Main Streets' under the Office of Business Development; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of an advisory commission with a subcommittee on redeveloping industrial mill buildings; establishes a trust fund and directs the office to report annually on its use to the legislature. Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a microbusiness and minority business strategy commission as a research body; exempts microbusinesses from reporting requirements, diversity certification, and third-party certification application fees with the Supplier Diversity Office; establishes the 'HiRE MASS' program to teach business skills to microbusinesses; establishes a fund for the program are requires it to report annually to the legislature. Amends GL 30A:5A to require that rules and regulations be reviewed to minimize their impact on micro- and small businesses every 5 years (currently 12) and with the development of each comprehensive economics development policy by a new governor; amends GL 30B:6 (Competitive sealed proposals) to require responses to RFPs include a diversity and inclusion plan.

Amends GL 94:92B by requiring meat, poultry and fish sold from bulk by the portion or piece according to a pre-determined fixed weight to display the product identity and net weight in addition to the unit price; if the food items are combined with other food elements to form a distinctive food product, the quantity representation may be in terms of the total weight of the product or combination.

Adds to GL chapter 143A to prohibit the seller of a residential structure or of a residential condominium unit to condition the acceptance of an offer to purchase on the prospective purchaser’s agreement to waive, limit, restrict, or otherwise forego prospective purchaser’s right have said structure or unit inspected, other than when the sale of the structure or unit is to occur at an auction.

Amends GL 159C:1 relative to telemarketing solicitations to provide that corporations and businesses are to be included in the definition of 'consumer,' thereby making them eligible for the protections of the chapter regulating telemarketing solicitations in the Commonwealth; makes technical changes in other parts of GL Chapter 159C to effectuate this redefinition.

Adds new GL Chapter 111O (Regulation of Body Art), for the purpose of comprehensively regulating the body art industry; defines body piercing as the piercing of any part of the human body, excluding the ear lobe; directs the Department of Public Health to promulgate rules and regulations relating to the licensure and monitoring of persons engaged in body piercing; establishes requirements for practitioner training, operational sanitation requirements, body art facilities standards and consumer disclosures; prohibits tattooing or piercing of persons under the age of 18 without parental consent.

Amends GL 112:119 (Board of Registration of Psychologists) to requite the board to establish a senior psychologist category of licensure to facilitate the licensure of psychologists who hold a doctoral degree in psychology and have been licensed and practicing as a psychologist in another state for an extended period of time, but whose paper records of training and education may no longer be available. 

Amends GL Chapter 112 regulating the licensing of aestheticians, barbers, cosmetologists, electrologists, hairdressers or manicurists; requires schools and post-secondary educational institutions for the listed beauty related professions to offer at least one hour of in-person or online training in domestic violence and sexual assault awareness to obtain a license; requires applicants for licenses to operate as a aesthetician, barber, cosmetologist, electrologist, hairdresser or manicurist, or to serve as instructors, assistant instructors or junior assistant instructors, to complete at least one hour of in-person or online training in domestic violence and sexual assault awareness; exempts the listed professionals who complete the training from liability relating to domestic violence or sexual assault; requires applicants for licenses as a massage therapist or massage practitioner, or to teach massage therapy, to complete at least one hour of training in person or online in domestic violence and sexual assault awareness.

Adds new sections to GL Chapter 138 (Alcoholic liquors) to allow local licensing authorities authorized to grant alcoholic licenses to grant food store licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages not to be consumed on the premises; sets requirements for a food store to receive a license, including compliance with age verification requirements; requires Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) to approve licenses before issuance; sets licensing fees; sets limits on the number of such licenses a local authority may issue; allows proximate competing business to apply for small business support grants; sets rules for licensees to obtain quantity discounts from wholesalers; requires ABCC to establish a working group to recommend public policies to encourage market efficiency and discourage market dominance.

Amends GL 10:24 (Lottery Commission) to authorize commission to establish an online lottery; delegates details concerning types of tickets, dollar value, frequency of drawings to commission; sets certain standards to be followed through commission regulations regarding online mobile applicaton; establishes lottery advisory board.

Amends GL 10 (State Treasurer) to eliminate restriction that no federal, state or municipal official or family member may be granted a license to sell lottery tickets and to restrict only lottery commission members, employees and family members from being granted such a license; eliminates restriction that no person may be granted more than one license to sell lottery tickets; allows commission members and employees to purchase lottery tickets and win prizes when done for purposes of investigation; allows notices of Keno license applications to be made on commission website rather than in newspaper of general circulation; allows Treasurer to assign additional duties to lottery director.

Amends GL 112:58, regulating the practice of veterinary medicine; exempts the stated equine dentistry practices, including floating teeth, from the practice of veterinary medicine; continues to include the stated equine dental practices, including treating decay, tumors, or other invasions of the soft tissue in the mouth, dental procedures on canines and felines, and the use of controlled substances, in the practice of veterinary medicine.

Adds a new Section 54B to GL Chapter 112 for the registration of equine dental practitioners, under the Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine; requires equine dental practitioners to be a veterinarian or certified by the international association of equine dentistry; regulates applications for registration and issuance of licenses; requires payment of fees for registration; authorizes the board to revoke the licenses of those who fail to register or pay necessary fees and to repeal a practitioners authority to float, smooth or contour a horse's teeth.

Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a board of examiners of motor vehicle mechanics within the division of professional licensure; directs the board to establish qualifications and regulations for the licensing of motor vehicle mechanics and entities and schools teaching auto mechanic work; further requires the board to establish continuing education requirements, ethical guidelines for mechanics, and a process for investigating complaints and administering necessary penalties. 

Amends GL 112:87SS by requiring prelicensing education for real estate brokers and salesmen to include at least four hours on fair housing law and diversity and inclusion in real estate; additionally amends GL 112:87XX½ by requiring continuing education to include at least two hours on fair housing law and diversity and inclusion in real estate during the license renewal period; repeals language defining total continuing education requirements according to license renewal dates.

Amends GL 112:55 by changing the time-frame for submission of a license fee for registration of veterinarians from annually to biannually. 

Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a Board of Registration of Applied Behavior Analysts under the Division of Professional Licensure; directs the board to create rules and regulations for the licensing of applied behavior analysts and assistant applied behavior analysts; repeals provisions placing the licensing of applied behavior analysts under the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions; imposes penalties for the unauthorized practice of behavior analysis; authorizes license revocation and other penalties for violation of conduct standards.

Extends all of the simulcast statutes for racing and wagering from July 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024, thus continuing wagering on horse and dog races simulcast from other racetracks at off-track betting facilities in East Boston and Raynham and in Plainville at Plainridge Park Casino; this latest extension of statutes governing simulcast wagering extends provisions that were set to expire on July 31, 2023. Additionally, the bill classifies the period between the date of enactment of this bill and July 31, 2023 as so-called dark days, during which live racing is precluded unless a supplemental license is received; requires simulcasts to comply with the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978, or if not applicable, to receive approval of the New England Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.

Amends various provisions related to the licensing and practice of genetic counseling in the commonwealth; completely rewrites the definition of genetic counseling, to limit it to obtaining and evaluating data to determine genetic risk for genetic and medical conditions, discussing the features and treatment of such conditions, identifying diagnostic options, integrating testing results with family and personal histories, explaining clinical implications and providing post-diagnosis support; repeals provisions that condition registration on completion of a genetic counseling education program; instead requires successful completion of an ABGC (American Board of Genetic Counseling) certification program; repeals provisions requiring applicants for licensure to pass a certifying exam; instead requires active candidate status by ABGC; repeals language authorizing administration of a certifying exam for genetic counselors; repeals language allowing individuals who trained as a genetic counselor, but who lack other qualifications, from holding themselves out as genetic counselors; requires persons appointed to the board of registration of genetic counselors to be eligible for licensing, and to receive their licenses within 90 days after the board issues its first license; allows currently active genetic counselors to apply for licensure within one year.

Amends GL 112:83 relative to registration of embalmers, funeral directors and apprentice embalmers to establish that all establishments for the preparation, disposition and care of dead human bodies is to participate in the program described GL 177A:9 as a condition for continued licensure. (Please note that there is no Chapter 177A in the General Laws.)

Amends GL 112:173, pertaining to the licensing and regulation of real estate appraisers; adds a new Section 189A to GL Chapter 112 which defines real estate appraisal reports, including opinions of market value, certifications and statements, as prepared for the exclusive benefit of a client or intended user; exempts appraisers from liability to any party other than clients or intended users, or subject to discipline from complaints by persons other than clients or intended users.

Adds a new GL Chapter 93L entitled "Bad Faith Assertions of Patent Infringement," intended to prohibit the assertion of bad faith patent infringement claims; defines facts relevant to whether patent infringement claims are in bad faith, including whether a demand letter contains the patent number and specific areas of infringement, whether or not a thorough comparative analysis between products is completed, whether the demand letter requires payment or response in a short amount of time, or whether the letter falsely states a lawsuit has been filed; defines facts relevant to whether a patent infringement claim was filed in good faith, including a substantial investment in the patent and a good faith effort to demonstrate the infringement and negotiate an appropriate remedy; authorizes damages of at least $50,000 and order reimbursement to the Commonwealth and restitution to the victim.

Amends GL 159C:1 relative to telemarketing solicitations to provide that corporations and businesses are to be included in the definition of 'consumer,' thereby making them eligible for the protections of the chapter regulating telemarketing solicitations in the Commonwealth; makes technical changes in other parts of GL Chapter 159C to effectuate this redefinition.

Enacts a new section into the General Laws defining and regulating greywater recycling systems (those reusing certain wastewater for irrigation purposes); defines Tier 1 and Tier 2 systems; sets forth standards for labeling and integration of wastewater systems. NOTE: This bill references a number of state regulations, which are subject to changes made by bodies other than the Legislature.

Amends existing laws relating to the licensure of massage therapists (GL 112:227 - 235) to include the licensing and registration of bodywork therapists; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a 7 person board of registration in massage therapy and bodywork to be appointed by the governor; requires the board to administer and enforce laws related to the licensure of massage therapists and bodyworks therapists, the practice of massage therapy, bodyworks and the operation of massage schools and bodyworks schools, including those for continuing education and investigation of unauthorized practice; exempts practices that are otherwise regulated or licensed by an existing organization or credentialing body. Defines bodywork therapy as the use of touch, words or directed movement to deepen awareness of patterns of movement in the body, or the affectation of the human energy system or acupoints or Qi meridians of the human body; prohibits any person from claiming to be a massage therapist, bodywork therapist or bodyworker or otherwise practice massage, massage therapy, bodyworks or bodyworks therapy  without a valid license; exempts individuals licensed in other states, who provide bodywork therapy exclusively for family members, who holds a related license in which bodywork is within the scope of practice or licensed individuals from other states incidentally in the commonwealth for an emergency response team from licensing requirements and other uncompensated massage offered as part of a sporting, health or other event under the supervision of a licensed professional; allows municipalities to adopt additional ordinances or bylaws relative to health and safety, that are consistent with or exceed existing state laws.  Regulates the licensure process for obtaining a bodywork therapy license, including presenting two letters of reference, as well as evidence of completion of a relevant course of study, possession of liability insurance and that they have not been convicted in any jurisdiction of a sexually-related crime or a crime involving moral turpitude during the ten years prior to an initial application; authorizes and regulates investigation of complaints related to the practice of massage therapy or bodyworks therapy, including unauthorized practice, inappropriate touching, offering medical opinions or diagnoses or negligence; requires the board to establish requirements for continuing education; requires massage therapy or bodyworks schools to teach at least one hour in domestic violence and sexual assault.  Authorizes law enforcement officials to enter bodywork therapy establishments upon appropriate legal process; directs the board to start accepting applications for licenses by July 1, 2023.  

Defines pilot barber schools as schools allowed in a licensed barber shop during non-commercial hours; directs the board of registration of cosmetology and barbering to establish a four-year pilot program allowing for in-shop barber instruction to increase the licensed barbering workforce; requires the board to file an annual report on the status of the pilot program, and after four years, to file a report on the success of the program and the feasibility of adopting this model as an alternative pathway for receiving barber instruction. 

Amends GL 93:73 (hearing aids – conflicts of interest) by repealing language prohibiting otolaryngologists from selling hearing aids to a person to whom they have provided services to, or otherwise having a membership, employment, co-ownership, or proprietary interest in or with a business which sells hearing aids to such person; requires otolaryngologists to disclose fees, terms of sale, prices and costs prior to the sale of a hearing aid, and to inform purchasers of their right to obtain hearing aids elsewhere; additionally prohibits banning any audiologist or hearing instrument specialist from dispensing or selling hearing aids when employed by or affiliated with an otolaryngologist.

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 138, governing alcohol, to allow municipalities to set the total number of licenses in their communities pursuant to a plan approved after at least one public hearing; excludes the City of Boston, for which there are specific statutes in place.

Amends GL 112:87DDD½, relative to the prohibition on unlicensed persons being in the business of finding dwelling accommodations for a fee, to specify that a licensed real estate broker may (1) solely contract with a tenant or prospective tenant to locate or rent residential or commercial real property for a tenant or (2) find a tenant for a property and present an offer to lease to the landlord or landlord's agent and negotiate on behalf of the tenant.

Adds new Sections 52H and 52I to GL Chapter 112, regulating the registration of dentists and dental hygienists, by establishing a dentist diversion program; directs the Board of Registration of Dentistry to develop and regulate the implementation of remediation programs for licensed dental professionals at risk of losing their licenses due to illness, substance use or other mental health disorders; allows use of such programs as alternatives to traditional disciplinary actions; requires entities selected for such remediation programs to have demonstrated experience in substance use disorders and to employ licensed mental health professionals with experience in the treatment of them; requires dentists and dental hygienists who participate in such programs to comply with individualized remediation plans; requires the board to seal the records of individuals who successfully complete such plans.

Adds a new Section 10K to GL Chapter 118E, regulating the Division of Medical Assistance, requiring sonographers or vascular technologists who provide the technical component of a diagnostic ultrasound services to be credentialed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Cardiovascular Credentialing International, or to practice in a laboratory accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the American Society for the Intersocietal Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, or the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories; requires supervision of all sonographers or vascular technologist by licensed physicians and surgeons.

Adds several new sections to GL Chapter 112 to establish a system of professional licensure for pet groomers; creates a 5 member Board of Registration of Pet Groomers responsible for developing licensure standards, and issuing regulations governing the safety, sanitation and operation of a pet grooming business; requires that any pet grooming business be operated by a registered pet groomer; and authorizes the Board to investigate pet grooming incidents, and discipline licensed groomers when appropriate.   

Amends GL 129 to direct the division of animal health of the department of food and agriculture to regulate dog day care businesses, incuding by requiring that businesses obtain licensure, and by promulgating regulations governing the method and time of inspections, issuance, suspension and revocation of licenses, penalties for violations of this section and the conduct of the businesses so licensed relative to sanitation requirements, operational safety standards, and risk management procedures. Rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, minimum commercial general liability insurance requirements; fire and emergency procedures; approved education, testing, accreditation or certification for dog day care animal care providers; and animal health and behavior recordkeeping, including an obligation to report to the director serious injuries to animals or people.  

Adds new Sections 265-282 to GL Chapter 112 creating licensure for commercial interior designers, requiring the licensure for any commercial interior design work that would require a permit; delimits work that would and would not fall under the licensure; requires each licensee to pass an exam set by the National Council for Interior Design Certification; establishes a continuing education requirement; prohibits the usage of the term 'registered' in conjunction with terms like 'commercial interior designer' except by licensees; directs the board of registration of commercial interior designers to approve a seal for use by licensees on plans and specifications; creates the designation 'commercial interior designer emeritus' for those licensee who retire after ten years of practice, allowing for expedited re-licensure but prohibiting practice in while so designated; adds a new Section 110 to GL Chapter 13 to establish a board of registration of commercial interior designers, specifying membership qualification, required meetings, and procedure.

Amends GL 10:35 to prohibit distribution of lottery funds to any city or town that has the ability to provide the opportunity for lottery sales but elects not to. 

Adds a new Section 36 to GL Chapter 68 to prohibit a licensed funeral establishment from concurrently operating a 501(c)(3) organization.

Establishes a subsidiary board under the Board of Licensure for Veterinarians, for the purpose of licensing veterinary technicians.

Amends GL 6C:3, regulating the powers of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, by allowing the department to sell, lease or otherwise contract for advertising, and to exercise the powers of the outdoor advertising board as it relates to regulations over billboards, signs, and other advertising on public ways or on private property within view of highways, parks or reservations; classifies parkways under the jurisdiction of the department of conservation and recreation as under the control of the outdoor advertising board; prohibits placement of billboards, signs and advertising devices within 500 feet of a public park or reservation or in a way that obstructs the view of a location on the national register of historic places without local approval; subjects outdoor advertising facilitated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to local zoning and approval.

Amends GL 112:87V to require the Board of Registration of Cosmetology to offer all practical and written examinations for professional licensure in  English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Haitian Creole.

Amends GL 112:93, requiring state licensed real estate appraisers to retain originals or true copies of written contracts for real estate appraisal work for a period of at least five years after the services or two years after the final disposition of any judicial proceeding in which the appraiser provided testimony to the services. 

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 138 to specify that licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on premises are prohibited for applicants who have been convicted of a felony, unless said applicant was convicted before the ten-year period and has demonstrated rehabilitation. 

Adds new section 172P to GL Chapter 6 permitting the alcoholic beverages control commission to obtain available criminal offender record information for every applicant pursuing a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages under GL 138:12 and GL 138:15 and share said information with the local licensing authority. 

Prohibits the purchase or consumption of any product made in Russia.

Rewrites GL 6:172N governing professional licensure and criminal convictions to expand professional opportunities for those with a prior conviction; prohibits licensing authorities from automatically barring an individual from a professional license based on a criminal record, instead requiring consideration of an applicant’s specific circumstances; limits consideration by licensing authorities of various less serious offenses, or offenses which occurred while the applicant was a minor; allows licensing authorities to deny applications when an applicant’s criminal record directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the profession, or in the interest of protecting the public; establishes processes whereby applicants can petition the licensing authority to determine whether their criminal record is disqualifying, and can appeal a decision of the licensing authority; requires licensing authorities to file annual reports with the division of professional licensure on their rejection of applications due to an applicant’s criminal record; establishes a commission on background record requirements for professional licensure responsible for advising licensing authorities; amends various sections of GL Chapter 112 (Professional licensure) to implement these changes.

Authorizes the town of Natick to grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to a property located at 45 East Central Street; regulates any transfer of said license.

Requires that continuing education requirements for real estate brokers include at least 3 hours on alternative dispute resolution methods and at least 4 hours on fair housing law or diversity and inclusion in real estate; adds to Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers a member who shall either be an expert in fair housing and civil rights or a tenant from a duly recognized tenants’ organization in the commonwealth receiving public assistance from a local, state or federal rental voucher program; establishes commission within the executive office of housing and economic development to review and make recommendations on policies and practices concerning housing discrimination prevention and fair housing enforcement.

No summary available.

Repeals GL Chapters 128A (Horse and Dog Racing Meetings) and 128C (Simulcast Wagering of Horse and Dog Racing) and combines those provisions into a new GL Chapter 128D; grants the Gaming Commission extensive regulatory authority over horse breeding and racing and power over racing and simulcasting licenses; enacts a complex system (see section 11 of the proposed GL 128D) for payments to the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the Massachusetts Standardbred Breeders program, and the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and taxes to the commission; specifies spending allowances for the commission from those taxes, with the remainder being paid into the General Fund; grants licensees use of funds still unclaimed after the end of the following year from the wager being made; provides for local approval of licenses; prohibits dog racing; requires an annual report from the commission on horse racing activity; grandfathers licensees under GL Chapters 128A and 128C until regulations have been promulgated under the new chapter.

Amends GL 112:87XX ½ to allow the board to adopt rules and regulations for continuing of professional education required for license renewal and authorize courses to count toward continuing education for real estate brokers and salesmen.  

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 138 (Alcoholic Liquors) to strike out provisions that currently cap the number of liquor licenses that a city or town may issue based on the size of the population. In its place, the bill gives cities and towns essentially unfettered discretion to determine the number of licenses the city or town wants to issue, so long as it is done so pursuant to a plan that has been approved by the mayor, city council or board of selectmen. These plans have to be adopted after the city or town has held public hearings on the matter; licenses issued to registered pharmacists are to be exempt from the calculation of the number of licenses. NOTE: Without the adoption of a plan, cities and towns will be limited to 1 license for each 5000 residents.

Amends GL 68:23 (solicitation disclosures) by requiring professional solicitors or commercial co-venturers to disclosure to disclose the percentage share of a contribution that will be received a charitable organization.

Amends GL 112:58 to require wildlife rehabilitators to enter into a signed written agreement with a veterinarian outlining the procedures, services, responsibilities and limitations of their role; and excludes the work of wildlife rehabilitators from the definition of “practicing veterinary medicine,” allowing them to practice without being penalized for engaging in unlicensed veterinary medicine.   

Establishes a Manicurist Industry Minimum Standards Advisory Board to study and make recommendations for industry-wide minimum standards on wages, benefits, working hours, training, and working conditions of nail salon workers within eighteen months of passage.   

Adds a new GL Chapter 93A½ to regulate limited services pregnancy centers; defines such centers as pregnancy services centers that do not directly provide, or provide referrals for, abortions or emergency contraception; prohibits such centers from disseminating any information concerning any pregnancy-related service or the provision of any pregnancy-related service that (i) is deceptive, whether by statement or omission; and (ii) a limited services pregnancy center knows or reasonably should know to be deceptive; requires such centers to obtain informed consent of patients with respect to their privacy; confers consumer protection authority to Attorney General over conduct of such centers.

Amends GL 138:15A to require alcoholic beverage license applicants notify all other licensees in that city or town.

Amends GL Chapter 138 (Liquor licenses) and GL Chapter 30A (Administrative procedure) to provide that individual taxpayer identifiation numbers may be used in lieu of social security numbers for the purpose of applying for and holding liquor licenses.

Amends GL 138:19B relative to Farmer-Winery licenses by expanding the provisions relative to the cost of these licenses. In particular, the cost will depend on the volume grown, with 5,000 gallons or less per year costing 172 annually; more than 5,000 and less than 20,000 gallons per year costing $194 annually; more than 20,000 gallons and less than 100,000 gallons per year costing $232 annually; more than 100,000 and less than 200,000 gallons per year costing $260 annually; more than 200,000 and less than 1,000,000 gallons per year costing $260 annually; each additional 1,000,000 gallons per year costing an additional $111 annually over and above the existing cost.In addition, a winegrower authorized to operate a farmer-winery may transport and deliver alcoholic beverages anywhere in the Commonwealth in vehicles owned or leased by them or their employees through a "direct shipment" license. The bill also makes certain technical changes.

Adds new section 110 to GL Chapter 13 to establish a board of examiners of fireproofing applicators within the division of occupational licensure; and outlines membership requirements and duties of board, which include establishing standards of professional and ethical conduct, adopting rules governing the licensure of fireproof applicators, and investigating complaints of rule violations.

Prohibits the collection of broker fees by realtors from tenants except where the tenant sought out the realtor for their services.

Adds a new section to GL c.13 (Division and Boards of Registration) that establishes a new Board of Registration for Irrigation Contractors. In particular: Regulates the certification and registration of irrigation contractors; Prohibits work on irrigation systems without a certificate, except in enumerated cases such as homeowners, farmers, and employees of contractors; Requires registrants to re-register every two years; Establishes a penalty of at least $1,500 or a year in prison for first violations, and $2,500 or two years or both for subsequent offenses.

Amends GL 23A:66 regarding the membership and operation of the Rural policy advisory commission; requires inclusion of one person from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; requires memberships to be staggered so the terms of 5 members expire each year; establishes a maximum service of three consecutive terms; repeals language requiring meetings in Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, central Massachusetts and western Massachusetts; instead requires meetings in the rural regions of Massachusetts; allows the commission to request information and assistance from all state agencies. 

Amends GL 6A:16G (Executive Ofice of Housing and Urban Development) to require the EOHUD to, in consultation with the Rural Policy Advisory Commission, establish a rural development initiative to be administered through a contract with the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency; directs the initiative to provide technical assistance to spur direct investment in rural communities to create jobs and expand businesses, identify cross-sector partnerships, accelerate the engagement of community members in actionable planning, and implement local economic development initiatives.

Adds new subsection to GL 6A:16G, the statute governing the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, to require the Secretary to prepare an annual strategic report, in conjunction with the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, regarding the Commonwealth's commercial fishing and shellfish industry; requires said report to include recommendations on maintaining and revitalizing the commercial fishing, shellfish and seafood industries.

Amends GL 6A (Executive branch) to establish within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, there shall be a Micro and Minority Business Strategy Department, or MOMMOB; sets out membership, duties and funding of Department; provides that Department is constituted a public instrumentality and the exercise by the MOMMOB of the powers conferred by this act shall be deemed to be the performance of an essential governmental function and shall work to address the longstanding inequalities for minority businesses owners in gateway communities by assisting in creating opportunities for entrepreneurship.

Adds new section 20A to GL Chapter 23K to allow the commission to issue a limited video gaming terminal (VGT) to eligible veterans’ organizations; prohibits video gaming machine licenses from being transferred and asserts they may be suspended or revoked at any time and must be renewed every five years; outlines VGT limitations; and directs the commission to promulgate regulations for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of this section. 

Amends GL 23K:3 to require that at least one member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission be a resident of either Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire county.

Amends GL 69:1B to require kindergarten students to attain the age of five in the calendar year in which the school year begins.

Amends GL 69:1I to require that school districts offer a student with special needs taking the MCAS examination the same accommodations granted to that student in the classroom during the school year.

Adds a new Section 38R½ to GL Chapter 71 prohibiting school districts, charter schools, nonpublic schools or contracted service providers for any school from employing or paying or contracting for services of any person with regular contact with students without obtaining the listed information, including authorization to contact prior employers that were schools or where the applicant was in contact with children, and a statement as to whether the applicant was the subject of a sexual misconduct or child abuse investigation, or was otherwise disciplined, discharged, on renewed or asked to resign from employment due to sexual misconduct or child abuse allegations; imposes penalties for lying on such applications; regulates the disclosure of information by prior employers after receiving requests; grants civil and criminal immunity to prior employers who provide information under such requests; directs the department of education to notify school districts and schools of such inquiry and disclosure requirements.

Requires Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish, within the permissible and mandatory ages for school attendance, that each child be required to attend a full-day educational program at kindergarten age.

Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop and administer a system for training, assessing and determining qualifications for interpreters in educational settings; requires use of tier 3 interpreters for all specialized meetings, tier 2 or tier 3 interpreters for all standard meetings and tier 1 interpreters during spontaneous, unannounced meetings or communications when tier 2 or tier 3 interpreters are unavailable; requires DESE to develop and make available educational coursework and field experience to ensure an interpreters competency and knowledge, as well as publicly available methods for identifying tier 3 interpreters; additionally requires DESE to adopt regulations to administer a system for training, assessing, and determining qualifications of interpreters in school settings; rquires the system to include language proficiency assessments, required hours of supervised field experience for tier 3 interpreters, and implementation of the publicly accessible mechanism for identifying and securing tier 3 interpreters.

Amends GL 69:1D to authorize the issuance of a Commonwealth diploma to students who demonstrate subject matter competency by passing state assessment tests, including MCAS; authorizes the issuance of a Horace Mann diploma to students who satisfy local school committee requirements; allows students to receive both diplomas; entitles students who receive of either diploma as having achieved the rights and privileges of high school graduation.

Amends GL 71:89 by providing for the payment of  a district’s local share of total tuition payable to charter schools instead of total amounts owed per student; prohibits the local share from exceeding the statewide average per student minimum required local contribution or other predetermined amount; prohibits the amount of any adjustment attributable to above foundation spending from exceeding the statewide average above foundation spending amount.

Amends various provisions related to school construction financing; increases the sales tax and storage, use and consumption tax allocated to the school modernization and reconstruction trust fund from one percent to two percent; allows school districts with a disproportionate share of school buildings in need of renovation, replacement or repair, use up to 1 percent of allocated school aid for costs associated with renovation or replacement; limits reimbursement dollar amounts per square foot to at least the average of the actual construction cost per square foot of all approved school projects from the previous 3 fiscal years.Additionally modifies the formula used to determine the grant percentage for approved school projects; establishes a new school integration percentage as part of the formula; grants up to 10 percentage points to project applications that present clear and convincing evidence that the proposed school building project will significantly improve inter-district or intra-district racial integration of students; prohibits the Massachusetts School Building Authority from disqualifying a proposed project for the Accelerated Repair Program due to the submitted estimated total budget unless it is less than $100,000; authorizes the department of elementary and secondary education to allow extraordinary maintenance projects to qualify as net school spending in amounts up to a total cost per project per school of $500,000.

No summary necessary.

Adds a new Section 98 to GL Chapter 71 (Public schools) to require food service providers selling lunches reimbursable under the National School Lunch Program to ensure that 50% of the entrées sold and served each week are healthy foods containing whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and other fiber-rich proteins, and that no more than more than 20% of entrée items are ultra-processed or have a nutritional composition that includes more than 30 milligrams of cholesterol or more than 5% of the entrées’ total calories from saturated fat; requires providers to keep itemized nutrition data that is made publicly available; adds a new Section 15JJJJJJ to GL Chapter 6, declaring March 21 as Massachusetts Child Nutrition Day.  

Amends GL 69:1G relative to the minimum length of school day and school year to establish that all children in grades kindergarten through five attending public schools are to receive 100 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free-play recess each week (so that there are at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess per day); adds a new Section 4B to GL Chapter 71 (Public Schools) prohibiting any public elementary school from decreasing the amount of time it allots and provides to students as recess time designed to allow students to participate in physical and social activities as a result of any changes in standards or curriculum that the school is required (or chooses) to adopt.

Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to annually analyze and publish information pertaining to school performance, corporal punishment of students, student punishments, school bullying, activities of school resource officers, charter school operations, school census data, standardized testing results, student class assignments, reports of superintendents and more. Requires school performance data collected and provided by school districts to include measurements on children receiving special education, including their demographic breakdown, services provided, use of assistive technology, behavioral supports and interventions, and transition services; defines statistically significant increases in the rates of students with disabilities assigned to substantially separate classrooms for any racial or ethnic group as prima facie denial of equal educational opportunities.

Amends GL 69:1D to direct the commissioner of the Department of Early and Secondary Education to establish academic standards for health education; provides that said  standards  shall be age-appropriate, medically accurate and shall provide for instruction in certain enumerated areas; requires every city, town, regional school district or vocational school district implementing or maintaining curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues to adopt a policy ensuring parental/guardian notification; requires said policy to allow parents or guardians to exempt their children from any portion of said curriculum through written notification to the school principal; requires the foundation budget to be re-evaluated to provide sufficient funding to implement said health education frameworks. 

Amends GL 15D (Department of Early Education and Care) to require Department to establish a payment structure for Family, Friend and Neighbor-provided child care caregivers that (1) ensures families with child care vouchers, or other available funding mechanisms, have full use of the daily value of such vouchers or other mechanisms; (2) is based on payment at an hourly rate; and (3) provides for a minimum hourly rate of compensation for FFN caregivers that is equal or greater to the minimum hourly wage.

Directs the commissioner of DESE to produce guidance and directives regarding the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, and publish said guidance digitally. NOTE: Filed by request of Thomas Durfee.   

Adds a new Section 2BBBBBB to GL Chapter 29 to establish the Climate Science Education Trust Fund to support climate science education in K-12 public schools; authorizes expenditures from the fund to support the development, purchase, and implementation of curriculum and educational resources, as well as educator professional development; aims to increase students’ understanding of the reciprocal relationship between society and climate; establishes a competitive grant program to promote climate science education and sets out priorities for grant recipients; amends GL Chapter 71 to define climate science education and include it in science curriculums; directs the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to report annually to the legislature on the Fund’s activities, as well as the status of climate education in the Commonwealth.  

Adds new Section 1P to GL Chapter 69 to direct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to assist in the implementation of curriculum on personal financial literacy; further directs the Department to develop standards and objectives for grades pre-kindergarten through 12 within the mathematics curriculum, and to establish an advisory committee consisting of 11 members to conduct a study on current programs offered on financial literacy in the Commonwealth; requires results of the study be submitted to the legislature on or before August 31, 2022; directs the advisory committee to oversee the implementation of standards and objectives on financial literacy; directs the Department to study and report on the feasibility of including personal financial literacy on the MCAS by December 2022.

Amends GL Chapter 15 (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) to add eight new sections (§§67-74) that establish a program of “promise scholarships” for eligible students of private schools.  A student is to qualify for a promise scholarship account if: (1) the student's parent or parents currently reside within the commonwealth; (2) the student was enrolled in and attended a public school in the Commonwealth for at least 6 weeks during the school year immediately preceding such student's initial or resumed participation in the program; (3) the student's parent signs an agreement making certain promises; (4) the student is not receiving special education in a private school paid for by a school committee pursuant to chapter 71B, and (5) the student's parent submits an application within DESE guidelines. Schools will be eligible to participate if they meet the following requirements: (1) they demonstrate fiscal soundness by having been in operation for 1 school year or by submitting a financial information report; (2) they comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of 42 U.S.C. §2000d; (3) they comply with all health and safety laws or codes that apply to private schools; (4) they comply with GL 76:1 and any other state law applicable to private schools; and (5) they employ or contract with teachers who hold a bachelor's degree or higher degree or have at least 3 years of experience in education. Subject to appropriation, the account funds granted to a participating student is to be $9,500 per school year.

Amends GL 71:89 to require  charter schools to use an opt-out admissions lottery process that automatically includes the name of all eligible students, without any required application process; eliminates existing preference for students living in the city of town where the school is located; requires such school's tuition payment be adjusted to account for any students who cannot attend said school because necessary services are not available.

Amends GL 69:1D (Statewide educational goals) by including that the MCAS test or other state-developed, standardized test is not a requirement for competency determination regarding high school graduation.

Amends provisions of GL 15D:2 (Duties of Department of Early Education and Care ) to establish that in establishing a rate structure for voucher and contracted payments to providers of subsidized early education and care programs and services on behalf of low-income and other at-risk children, DEEC is also to accept children receiving child care financial assistance based on the payments meeting the full cost of providing high-quality early education and care to such children, in conformity with federal law, provided that: the rate structure include higher rates for the provision of care during nonstandard hours sufficient to encourage providers to offer care during nonstandard hours; the method for reimbursement for voucher and contracted payments be based on quarterly enrollment rather than daily attendance of participants; the rate structure include a sliding fee scale for families receiving child care financial assistance which is updated at least every 5 years to reflect affordability standards for participating families; recipients of child care financial assistance whose income is not more than 100% of the federal poverty level shall not be charged fees for care and that amounts charged to families whose income is more than 100% of the federal poverty level shall not exceed 7% of the family’s total income (and be determined by applying the sliding fee scale to the remainder of the family’s income after deducting 100% of the federal poverty level). In addition, the bill establishes an Early Education and Care Financial Assistance Program in which DEEC is required to subsidize the cost of early education and care services to all families in need of these services with incomes at or below 85% of the Massachusetts state median income.

Amends GL Chapter 71 (Public Schools) to require every school to  maintain a stock supply of non-patient specific epinephrine available to all students, including students with individualized health care plans prescribing epinephrine injections, to be administered in the event of an anaphylactic emergency; directs DPH to promulgate regulations requiring school districts to adopt and implement policies pursuant to this Act; identifies several areas to be covered by said regulations; indemnifies a school nurse or other authorized individual who provides, administers, or assists in the administration of epinephrine to a student believed in good faith to be having an anaphylactic reaction from any civil damages for negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment; provides that  the cost of supplying nonpatient specific epinephrine to schools pursuant shall be assessed on surcharge payers as defined in GL Chapter 118E (Division of Medical Assistance).

Amends GL 69:1D by requiring science curriculum standards to include only peer-reviewed and age-appropriate subject matter; defines peer-reviewed subject matter as conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods; defines age-appropriate as those topics, messages, and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups of children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.

Amends GL 69:1L (Health education grants) to include training in external defibrillator use and hands-on practice of CPR in the curriculum of health programs eligible for grants under the section.

Amends GL Chapter 69 (Elementary and Secondary Education) to strike sections 1J and 1K, which establish procedures for the Board to place a school district in receivership; provides instead for the Board to convene a local stakeholder group to develop a support and improvement plan for the school to last not longer than 4 years; amends MCAS requirement to provide that a student may demonstrate required subject matter mastery by satisfactorily completing coursework that has been certified by the student’s district; amends MCAS requirement by making history, social sciences and foreign languages optional parts of test; establishes a special commission to study and make recommendations for a more authentic and accurate system for assessing students, schools and school districts.

Adds a new Section 1R (Elementary and Secondary Interdisciplinary Climate Justice Education) to GL Chapter 69 (Powers and Duties of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) requiring the Department to revise and update curriculum standards for the subjects of science, technology, and engineering to include relevant and interdisciplinary climate change standards. In addition, the Department is to institute a process for setting curriculum standards for the subjects of history, social sciences, and civics to include relevant and interdisciplinary climate change standards that will provide students with a deeper understanding of climate policy, climate justice, and climate action.

Amends the statewide education goals in GL 69:1D to add education on the history and contributions of LGBTQ+ people in the US and Massachusetts.

Amends GL 69:1D relative to statewide educational goals to include the major principles of environmental science among the for the core subjects of the curriculum.

Establishes a 21-member commission to review foundation budgets, educational goals, and resource allocation; specifies the qualifications of the-members of the commission; directs the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide the commission with staff and other resources; directs the commission to hold 4 public hearings; directs the commission to report to the Legislature pursuant to Section 9 by November 1, 2019.

Establishes and regulates the use of the universal full-day kindergarten trust fund; requires use of the fund for providing financial aid to school districts to implement and maintain tuition-free universal full-day kindergarten programs; allows use of the fund without further appropriation by the board of elementary and secondary education; amends the definition of foundation enrollment to include the full enrollment for preschool and kindergarten; repeals inclusion of bilingual education from the definition of foundation enrollment; authorizes all school districts to offer a tuition-free universal full-day kindergarten program; prohibits any district from charging a fee for full-day kindergarten; allows districts to apply for reimbursement from the fund; requires all districts without a universal full-day kindergarten to report necessary funds for implementation.

Amends GL 15A:39 to permit qualified students enrolled in a public secondary school, including children in the custody of DYS, county houses of corrections, or department of correction, to enroll in Massachusetts public institutions of higher education; adds new section 6B to GL Chapter 71 to require all public secondary schools to credit coursework completed by students in said institutional settings toward graduation requirements; amends GL 71B:11A to mandate the evaluation of students entering custody in a jail or correctional facility to determine whether they are in need of special education and the provision of special education when needed; amends GL 124:1 to direct the commissioner of corrections to require all individuals under 22 years old housed in a county house of corrections or state correctional facility be provided with opportunities to continue their education, including a minimum of six hours of classroom instruction per day; orders translation and interpretation services to be provided to English Language Learner students; adds new section 32B to GL Chapter 127 to order incarcerated individuals under 26 years old to be treated as needing aid and guidance; and requires the commissioner to establish and promulgate regulations and rules regarding this section. 

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 69, governing DESE, such that assessments of school performance measure 'authentic' student growth in English, math, science, and social studies, through mechanisms such as computer-adaptive assessment, effective July 1, 2021; further directs the board of elementary and secondary education to establish regulations requiring leveled education options for students in K-12 according to their demonstrated achievement; requires the use of computer-adaptive assessments to determine appropriate instruction levels; prohibits discrimination against students according to age.

Amends GL 69:1 (Public education) to expand definition of measurement system from "an effective system for monitoring progress" to "an effective mechanism in the form of a computer-adaptive assessment with a high enough ceiling and low enough floor to monitor the actual achievement and progress of individual students’ mastery through the various K-12 learning standards in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies,"

Amends GL 69:1B to direct the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop regulations for accelerated learning opportunities for K-12 public school students; requires the evaluation of all students to determine the need for acceleration accommodations, and districts to provide associated professional development for teachers; outlines potential acceleration strategies including concurrent enrollment, early college, multi-age combined classes, online courses, and more.    

Adds a new Section 16 to GL Chapter 70, Directing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish a professional development program in gifted and talented education; requires the program to provide fifteen hours of professional development in the specific field of the education of gifted and talented students; requires the program to provide 15 hours of training in any five year period for the license renewal of educators, including administrators, whose classrooms, schools, or districts contain one or more students identified, or who could be identified as gifted and talented students; additionally qualifies professionals working in the field of psychology, gifted education or who regularly provides services of educational assessments for such training; additionally amends GL 71:38G by requiring completion of such training in order to receive a provisional or standard educator certificate; requires school districts with gifted and talented students to provide such training, and provide data to DESE on training completed.

Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to promulgate regulations regarding educational programs and learning opportunities for gifted and talented children, beyond grade-level children, twice-exceptional children, and highly or profoundly gifted children; requires the regulations to include a comprehensive definition of each term, defined responsibilities at the state, district and school level, and providing low-incident populations of gifted children with in-district in special education collaboratives of the Commonwealth, state-level schools, or private placements; requires districts to pay for special education personnel, materials and equipment, tuition, room and board, transportation, rent and consultant services; establishes annual reporting requirements by districts on gifted education and by DESE; establishes an office of beyond grade-level and gifted and talented education within DESE; directs DESE to establish a professional development program in gifted and talented education to provide educators with fifteen hours of professional development in the specific field of the education of gifted and talented students; creates additional training requirements for teachers and school administrators in the area of gifted education. 

Amends GL 69:1D (Academic Standards) to require the Department of Early and Secondary Education to develop standards that will provide for instruction in: (i) tribal history and current issues of the Aquinnah Wampanoag, Mashpee Wampanoag and other Wampanoag tribes, the Massachuset, the Nipmuc and other Native American tribes that exist within Massachusetts; (ii) information about tribes and confederacies that have historic ties to Massachusetts, such as the Wabanaki Confederacy; (iii) tribal history of Native Americans throughout the United States; (iv) tribal sovereignty and governance, treaty rights, genocide, Native American cultures, languages and socioeconomic experiences; and (v) ongoing issues common to contemporary Native Americans throughout Massachusetts; further directs the DESE Board to consult with tribal nations in developing these standards.

Adds a new chapter 71E to the General Laws, entitled Education-to-Career Data Center. The bill establishes and regulates a new Education-to-Career Data Center, and a Massachusetts Education-to-Career Data System. The purpose of this system is to provide reliable information on education and workforce outcomes, address disparities, support decision-making, and ensure efficient utilization of resources.  The Data Center will be headed by an executive director and overseen by a 15-member board. The center's duties include maintaining the data system, developing de-identification processes, ensuring compliance with privacy laws, defining metrics, producing reports, facilitating research requests, and maintaining a secure data enclave.  The data system will incorporate data from various public agencies and private entities, and ownership of the data will be retained by the providing entity. The board will be responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and implementation of the data system. The board will also establish research agendas, adopt privacy and security policies, ensure interoperability with other data systems, and expand the data set.

Establishes and regulates the operation of an office of career technical education within the department of elementary and secondary education, and under the supervision and management of the deputy commissioner of career technical education; directs the commissioner of DESE to appoint the deputy commissioner; directs the deputy commissioner to improve and maximize career technical education throughout the commonwealth, including ensuring the enforcement of regulations relative to certificates of occupational proficiency; further directs the office to develop credentials for graduating career technical education (CTE) students that measure career readiness through skill assessments; requires the office to work with regional workforce boards to determine labor market needs in their region and actively promote and facilitate the introduction of CTE programs that align with regional demand; directs DESE to establish a 2 year pilot program to incentivize collaboration between schools with vocational programs (GL Chapter 74) and those without, to ensure access for all students; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the CTE Funding Commission, to study funding options for career technical education programs. 

Adds new Sections 34I-34L to GL Chapter 71, regulating the privacy of student and educator information as it relates to a specific student, teacher, principal, or administrator that enable identification of that individual; prohibits operators of Internet websites, online services, online applications, or mobile applications used for K-12 school purposes from engaging in targeted advertising, using information from the site or platform to create user profiles, or selling or disclosing user information; requires such operators to implement and maintain security procedures and practices to protect user information; authorizes and regulates access to such information by law enforcement; establishes private rights of action for violation of such privacy rights; require contracts for such sites and platforms to include language pertaining to privacy protections; directs the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish regulations pertaining to data security and privacy responsibilities of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and educational, including minimum required security standards for operators.

Inserts new sections into chapters 23B, 71 and 170 of the General Laws requiring providers of temporary housing, schools, and correctional facilities to supply free disposable menstrual products in a convenient, non-stigmatizing manner.

Adds a new Section 159A to GL Chapter 6 to establish a 17-member permanent commission on American Indian and Alaska Native education; articulates the qualifications and terms of commission members; directs the commission to investigate the use of resources from both the public and private sectors to enhance and improve the ability of state agencies to provide educational opportunities and improve educational outcomes for all American Indian and Alaska Native students in order to further tribal self-determination and to help ensure that students have an opportunity to learn their heritage languages and histories and to receive complete and competitive educations that prepare them for college, careers, and productive satisfying lives; requires the commission to file an annual report with the legislature.

Establishes a statewide anonymous reporting program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services allowing any person to report any dangerous or violent activity that occurs or is threatened on school property, or relates to an enrolled student or school personnel; provides for the program to be able to receive reports via app, website, or phone call at all times, continuously operate a crisis center, protect the anonymity of any individual making a report, and forward any information to the relevant school or law enforcement agency; requires the creation of school-based threat assessment teams to coordinate the program in each school; authorizes the secretary to promulgate regulations implementing the program, establishes a Statewide Anonymous Reporting Program Trust Fund, and provides for annual reports on the program’s operation.  Additionally, directs  DESE to provide schools with a model threat assessment policy, that includes identifying types of threatening behavior, reporting processes, including to whom threatening behavior should be reported and threat response procedures, as well as procedures and protocols for coordinating with local law enforcement; requires DESE to establish lists of evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention trainings and social inclusion trainings.  

Authorizes $3 billion in bonds for capital investments for vocational-technical education programs and regional vocational-technical schools; increases project reimbursement rates for regional vocational-technical high school and county, regional and independent agricultural high school construction by 20 percentage points, with funding to come from Millionaires tax revenues; establishes an office of vocational-technical education in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; adds 2 members to School Building Advisory Board; establishes program of expansion grants for vocational and technical schools.

Adds new Section 1U to GL c. 69 to establish a racially inclusive curriculum in K-12 schools, including instruction regarding the history and contributions of various marginalized groups;  and establishes a Racially Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund and associated grant program to support the implementation of new curriculum standards.  

Amends GL 71:32A (Sex education; policy regarding notice to parents, exception) to further outline the requirements of school districts and charter schools to notify parents of their sex education instruction and the right to opt out; adds a new Section 32B to GL Chapter 71 requiring that any district or charter school providing sex education to provide it in a medically accurate, age appropriate, and comprehensive fashion; outlines the components of such, including human development, anatomy, and reproduction, the benefits of abstinence, the prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancy, the options for pregnancy including parenting, adoption, and abortion, how to effectively discuss safe sex and consent, healthy relationships, recognizing and preventing violence, affirmative recognition of gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression, and social media use; requires any district or charter school that follows the Massachusetts curriculum framework to offer such sex education. Amends GL 69:1I (Performances of public school districts and individual public schools) to require school districts and other schools to file an annual report with DESE regarding their sex education policy.

Amends GL 71:89 (Commonwealth Charter Schools) by striking out provisions that currently provide that 14 new Horace Mann charter schools will not be subject to the requirement of an agreement with the local collective bargaining unit prior to approval by the Board of Education, and that these 14 schools are to develop a memorandum of understanding with the school committee and the local union regarding any waivers to applicable collective bargaining agreements.Amends GL 71:92 (Innovation Schools) by substantially simplifying the rules in the case of a school conversion, and by requiring that upon the completion of the innovation plan, a local union and the superintendent must negotiate waivers or modifications to the applicable collective bargaining agreement necessary for the school to implement the innovation plan.

Amends various provisions related to special education finance; directs the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to publish annually publish a supplemental report containing student achievement data for each approved private special education school or program; directs the school building assistance program to prioritize projects needed to create space for in-district special education programs and services; requires each approved private special education school or program to provide special education to file annual financial reports with DESE, including independent audits; directs the secretary of education, DESE, the department of early education and care and the operational services division to conduct a study and make recommendations on oversight of approved Massachusetts day and residential private special education programs.

Amends GL 71:38G (certification for certain teaching and administrative positions) pertaining to pre-preparation programs for the preparation of teachers and other educational personnel that certify college level knowledge of candidates; requires the commissioner of education to evaluate and approve such programs, including through evaluation of candidate outcomes upon employment; requires programs seeking approval to pay a fee; requires educators or administrators seeking initial certification to have training in strategies related to culturally responsive, anti-racist pedagogy and practices. Additionally regulates screening tools used for appointment of superintendents in small towns and guidelines for guidelines to districts requiring screening protocols for reading for all students in grades K-3 using evidence-based screeners; requires use of evidence-based curricula for elementary literacy; directs the department of elementary and secondary education to develop a  two-year pilot program for teacher apprenticeship during which participants shall complete a paid teaching apprenticeship for a full school year in a high-needs district in the classroom with a highly proficient mentor teacher; sets out reporting requirements.  

Amends GL Chapter 71 (Public schools) to require DESE to develop an additional alternative process for granting educator certification and specifies factors to be considered in such process; adds new section 38¾ to GL Chapter 71 directing DESE to take steps to promote a diverse educator workforce; amends GL 74:18 (Vocational education) to require teachers to satisfy alternative measures of proficiency established by the board; requires DESE to set measurable educator diversity goals for the state and collect and report publicly statewide educator diversity data in an online dashboard; requires schools and districts to report diversity data; requires schools and districts to hire a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer or establish a diversity team and to require personnel to attend an annual diversity and implicit bias training; directs DESE to establish an educator diversity grant program. 

Amends GL 71:89 relative to Commonwealth and Horace Mann Charter Schools to authorize charter schools to voluntarily offer enrollment preferences to certain high needs students and to enroll these students at any time during the school year; the enrollment preferences are to apply both to students who are admitted through the lottery and students admitted off of the waitlist; directs the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to promulgate appropriate regulations.

Adds new provisions to GL c.69 (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) that require DESE to administer a Massachusetts Farm to School Grant Program, with the aim of strengthening the Massachusetts food and agriculture economy and improving student health and nutrition.  DESE is responsible for administering the grant program and awarding grants in consultation with an advisory committee. The committee includes representatives from the Department of Agricultural Resources, the Department of Early Education and Care, and stakeholders appointed by the DESE commissioner, ensuring geographic and demographic diversity. To be eligible for grant funding, applicants must be public schools or licensed childcare programs located in Massachusetts or provide meals through the National School Lunch Program or the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program. The program provides funding for various priorities, subject to available appropriations. These priorities include acquiring kitchen equipment for preparing meals with local ingredients, training school kitchen staff in using fresh ingredients and procuring them, and providing training for educators and other school staff to integrate food system lessons into the curriculum. Additionally, funding can support infrastructure and programming for activities like school gardens, allowing students to learn about agriculture and the food system. Up to 15% of the grant funds can be used for purchasing foods raised, grown, or produced in Massachusetts, as long as their preparation and consumption align with the primary grant activity or expenditure.

Amends GL 71 (Department of Education) to direc the department to establish a Media Literacy Advisory Council to recommend statutes, regulations, curricula, and frameworks to teach media literacy in schools; directs department to integrate media literacy skills in all health and core curricular content for grades kindergarten through 12th grade.

Directs the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish an Integrated Cultural Studies Advisory Council to develop a model curriculum and framework in Integrated Cultural Studies for grades K-12; defines integrated cultural studies as the interdisciplinary study of race and ethnicity as understood by underrepresented racial groups; regulates the membership and operation of such council; requires the council to conduct an initial survey of all public school districts’ existing curricula to assess the inclusion of cultural studies; requires subsequent annual surveys; further requires the council to recommend a comprehensive curriculum that encompasses all core subjects; requires the commissioner to update all core subjects to include integrated cultural studies, and for districts to include the recommendations; mandates DESE review of district implementation; instructs DESE to develop an online portal to support the curriculum for use by students, teachers and parents.

Amends GL 69 (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) to direct the Board, subject to appropriation to award $1,000 for each student in the district who earns an industry-recognized certification for an occupation that has high employment value or an industry recognized certification that is recognized by any public institution of higher learning in the commonwealth as a basis for academic credit in such institution, and to award $800 for each student in the district who earns an industry-recognized certification that addresses regional demands identified by the local MassHire Workforce Board.

Amends GL Chapter 15D (Early Education and Care) to add provisions to require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop and administer the High Quality Pre-Kindergarten Education grant program for high quality pre-kindergarten programs for children between the ages of 9 months to 2 years. The grants are to be used to invest in a high quality, mixed delivery early education system in order to reduce the achievement gap and improve third grade reading scores. Grants are to be awarded in the first year to districts designated as underperforming or chronically underperforming. In the second year, grants may be awarded to districts designated as 'Level 3' pursuant to DESE's accountability rankings and with 3rd grade proficiency scores of 25 through 46 inclusive. In the third year, grants may be awarded to districts with an accountability ranking of Level 3 or Level 2 and a 3rd grade reading proficiency score of 47 through 54. In subsequent years, the criteria for grant awards become progressively less strict.

Amends GL 10:35BB (school modernization and reconstruction trust fund) by Increasing the dedicated sales and use, and storage, use, and consumption tax revenues allocated to the trust fund from one to two percent; adds a new Section 5A to GL Chapter 70B prohibiting the school building authority from denying applications for a school facilities grant solely on the age of the system in need of repair; allows the authority to prioritize repair of older systems. 

Amends GL 71:89, the statute governing charter schools, by inserting a definition for 'local approval' and providing that only those charter school applications that have received such approval may be funded by said section and all others will not be funded by any Chapter 70 funds and will only be funded by other funds through the board of elementary and secondary education and other local sources.

Adds a new Section 1U to GL Chapter 69 to incorporate an understanding of climate change into DESE curriculum standards. 

Establishes various initiatives with the intention of promoting high-quality comprehensive literacy instruction in all Massachusetts schools. In particular: Adds provisions to require each district to submit a District Literacy Strategy Plan by January 1, 2024, outlining how the district will advance literacy professional development, core reading and literacy curricula, implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research, and supporting of parents to support the literacy development of their children; Establishes a panel of stakeholders to make recommendations for the implementation of evidence-based early literacy best practices; Directs districts to assess students from kindergarten through third grade a minimum of three times per year on their reading and literacy abilities, notifying parents of below-benchmark results within 30 days of assessment; Directs kindergarten students to be screened for characteristics of dyslexia; Grants no-cost dyslexia screening to first and second grade students upon parental request; Provides individual reading improvement plans to students kindergarten through fourth grade level who exhibit reading deficiencies; Instructs each district to file an annual report by October 31 of each year with their literacy data, including the number of students with dyslexia characteristics and reading deficiencies; Directs DESE to file an annual report on the number of students with dyslexia characteristics and reading deficiencies and the number of educators who have received professional development.

Directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation setting apart the first week of April as Massachusetts Geography Education Week; establishes an eight member Commission on Geography Education; articulates the qualifications of the Commission members; sets forth several areas of investigation for the Commission; directs the Commission to report its findings to the legislature.

Amends GL 71:42 relative to teacher dismissal, demotion of lay-offs, to provide that in a lay-off, a school district is to retain teachers with linguistic proficiency in relation to an in-district language or dialect who has less seniority without regard to their professional teacher status, if the layoff would result in a lesser proportion of teachers with such linguistic proficiency being available to teach. Enumerates certain other classification of teachers who are to be exempt from layoffs, including those who are a member of a population underrepresented among certified teachers in the district or those who graduated from a “grow your own” teacher preparation program of the district.

Amends GL 71 (K-12 Education) to require school committees to consider as an alternative the purchase of monthly transit passes prior to advertising for or inviting bids for a contract for transportation services.

Establishes a number of initiatives essentially intended to align learning in secondary schools with the workforce skills actually needed in the economy of the Commonwealth. In particular: Establishes and regulates a "Workforce Skills Cabinet" within the Office of the Governor, with the duties to facilitate alignment, collaboration, strategic planning, and joint execution among participating state agencies, offices, and other stakeholders around the development of workforce development strategies for the Commonwealth, among other enumerated responsibilities;  Requires the the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to pay each school district a certification award of $1,000 for each student in the district who earns an industry-recognized certification for an occupation that has high employment value, and $800 for each student in the district who earns an industry-recognized certification that meets regional demands identified by the local MassHire workforce board; Requires all public school districts to ensure that all high school students, beginning in the ninth grade, have developed an individual learning plan; Requires all public high schools in Massachusetts to offer at least one foundational computer science course that includes rigorous mathematical or scientific concepts; Requires the workforce skills cabinet to develop a set of strategic goals regarding the expansion of the college and career pathway programs, with the goal being the achievement of universal access for all of the state’s high school students early college programs, vocational/technical education programs, innovation pathway programs, STEM tech career academies, and other similar programs and courses of study; Requires the workforce skills cabinet and DESE to conduct a study of the barriers that exist to creating greater student access to meaningful work-based learning opportunities in the state’s public schools; Requires every public school district to create a plan for implementing the MassCore curriculum as a requirement for graduation.

Amends GL 15:1F to prohibit the board of elementary and secondary education from authorizing the commissioner to grant charter renewals; amends GL 71:89 to base the decision to renew a school’s charter upon the presentation of affirmative evidence, which should be made available to the public at least 30 days prior to the vote to renew the charter; directs the board to solicit public comment at least 30 days prior to the vote; and takes effect within 120 days of passage.  

Amends provisions of GL 71:89 (Commonwealth Charter Schools) establishing that no charter application be approved before a report has been presented to the Board of Education on the financial impact to the sending district or districts; also requires that not later than January 10 of every year, DESE must make a request to the Legislature for the full funding of this and other required reimbursements; if the Legislature rejects the request to fund the reimbursement, the Board may not approve any application for a new charter school or a charter school expansion in the following school year.

Amends GL 71:89 (Commonwealth Charter Schools, etc.) and the provisions relative to what happens to the net school spending cap if the district is no longer in the lowest 10%, by establishing that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is not to approve any additional seats for charter schools that originate from a sending district that moved out of the lowest 10% if the net school spending cap of the sending district was above 9% at the time that the sending school district moved out of the lowest 10% (provided that any district costs related to seats previously approved be borne by the Department); makes certain technical and grammatical corrections as well.Requires DESE to provide the total tuition amount owed by the sending district for each enrolled charter school student from a district that is no longer in the lowest 10% who was permitted to enroll notwithstanding the net school spending cap; the Department is not to require a charter school or the district to reimburse the Commonwealth for the tuition amount, and the State Treasurer is not to deduct the tuition amount from the district’s 'Chapter 70' state school aid.

Adds two new sections to GL c.69 (Powers and Duties of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) to establish that DESE is to establish program standards for a high school professional development program providing rigorous, ongoing professional development to high school students, which must six enumerated components; amends GL 76:1 (School Attendance) by establishing that schools may excuse 1 absence for a supervised professional development day each school year for high school students.

Adds new Section 1U to GL Chapter 69 establishing food literacy educational standards for public schools in the commonwealth; provides for these standards to address nutrition and personal health, culinary skills, food production, the food system and the environment, hunger, food justice, racial inequities, and potential careers in the food system; directs DESE to make educational resources available to schools, and report annually on the implementation of the standards; and establishes a Food Literacy Trust Fund to support the implementation of food literacy programs in schools.   

Amends GL 69:1C (minimum nutritional standards for school food services) by requiring all schools providing school lunch under the National School Lunch Act or school breakfast under the National Child Nutrition Act to make such meals available to each attending student at no charge; directs schools to maximize available federal funds; requires the department of elementary and secondary education to reimburse any amounts not covered by federal funding; requires DESE and the department of transitional assistance to promote the availability of the supplemental nutrition assistance program to families by providing direct application assistance to families or by providing referrals to outreach partners.

Adds a new Section 89A to GL Chapter 71, to ensure transparency and accountability in the operation of charter schools; submits new requirements for the operation of charter schools, including: the posting of a charter school's application and operating agreement online by both the school itself and the department of elementary and secondary education, seating a school board composed of at least 50% parents, holding of board meetings in the school's district and at a time convenient to parents and the posting of minutes online; regulates the content of charter applications, including required language prohibiting interference with teachers' and employees' rights to unionize, collectively bargain and receive due process; requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to gather and track waitlist information to ensure their accuracy; requires the department to develop detailed guidance for standards and expectations related to innovative programs and best practices.

Amends GL 111:72K (Public health) to increase the civil penalties that the office can seek for the mistreatment, abuse or neglect of nursing home residents or other covered patients; increases the time in which the office can bring a civil suit from two years to four years. 

Amends GL 19D:14 (assisted living: written residency agreement), by requiring the agreements to include language requiring adherence to GL Chapter 186 (estates for years and at will) and Chapter 239 (summary process for possession of land); directs the attorney general to establish regulations protecting the consumer rights of assisted living residents against unfair or deceptive practices. 

Adds a new GL Chapter 119B, which provides for the protection and care of elders by creating a mandatory duty to report suspected abuse for certain people that work with elders; requires so called mandated reporters to file reports of suspected abuse with the executive office of elder affairs; imposes fines for failing to report when mandated; imposes fines and/or imprisonment for filing a frivolous report; increases penalties for second and subsequent instances of failure to report; requires reports to include the listed identifying information, including name, gender and the nature and extent of injuries; allows any person to file a report of suspected abuse; prohibits employers from retaliating against people who file reports; exempts religious leaders from reporting instances of abuse when their knowledge exists exclusively from confession or other confidential communication.

Establishes an Office of the Elder Advocate to ensure the well-being, health, safety and dignified treatment of older adults in the Commonwealth; provides for the Elder Advocate to be selected by the Governor, Attorney General and State Auditor for a 5-year term from a list of candidates submitted by a nominating committee; establishes a 25-member Elder Advocate Advisory Council; authorizes the Elder Advocate to investigate “critical incidents,” defined as cases where the safety of an older adult in the custody of a state agency or certain private facilities is jeopardized, or any other complaint submitted to the Elder Advocate; provides for the Elder Advocate to have access to any relevant facility or program operated or funded by a state agency, including access to any records, IT systems, materials or employees; prohibits retaliation against anyone who provides information to the Elder Advocate; and directs the Elder Advocate to file an annual report with the Governor and Legislature. 

Amends GL 40 to allow local councils on aging to deliver services and, in the case of advisory councils to allow the director to appoint staff and other employees as it may require consistent with municipal needs.

Adds new section 72 ½ to GL Chapter 111, titled Financial Transparency and Consolidated Financial Report; requires nursing home facilities to file an annual consolidated report beginning with fiscal years ending December 31, 2025; outlines consolidated report requirements and additional financial information nursing home facilities must report; and directs the Office of the State Auditor to periodically report on the quality of care, financial practices, and oversight of nursing facilities. 

Adds a new Chapter 19D½ to the General Laws establishing, licensing and regulating settings of care to be referred to as personal care homes designed to provide safe, humane, comfortable and supportive residential settings for adults who require assistance or supervision with activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living, and qualify for the State Home Care Program.

Amends GL 93:76 (Sale of life leases and long-term leases in nursing homes, retirement homes and homes for aged) to require providers to give prospective residents a separate document captioned "Disclosure of Entrance Fee Refund" that clearly states (a) the amount of the entrance fee to be refunded to the resident under the provider's contract; and (b) the terms, conditions and explanation of the process by which the provider will make such refund to the resident after the resident leaves the facility or dies; requires that said resident sign this statement prior to paying the full entrance fee to the provider; provides that this requirement does not apply to any fee paid to get on a waiting list for a continuing care retirement community.

Adds a new Section 79 to GL Chapter 10, directing the office of the State Treasurer to periodically review and update model curriculum to support seniors' financial literacy and stability. 

Amends provisions relative to the mandatory reporting of elder abuse, by adding provisions relative to what happens when the elder is abused in the care and custody of a state agency, including in correctional and mental health facilities. In particular, the bill: Establishes that “caretakers” of the elderly include any person or agency responsible for an elderly person’s health or welfare in any custodial or residential facility; Carves out an exception from the abuse statue for elders in prisons our house of correction resulting from physical contact in carrying out correctional duties; Expands the prohibitions on retaliatory actions relative to reporting elder abuse; Extends the protective services system to elderly who have been involuntarily committed under GL c.123; Establishes that reports of elder abuse taking place within state agencies are to be reported to the General Counsel of EOHHS for investigation; and Establishes that no elderly person residing in a prison, jail, civil commitment center, house of correction, or similar facility may be charged for the provision of protective services.

Establishes a nursing facility supervisory and leadership training grant program, an extended care career ladder grant program, and a tuition reimbursement program for certified nursing assistants to bolster the long-term care workforce; amends GLs 111:71 and 111:72E to substantially overhaul the licensure and oversight of long term care facilities in the Commonwealth, increasing reporting requirements for said facilities and granting DPH new authority to limit, restrict, suspend or revoke a license, or force a facility to hire a temporary manager, in cases where a facility fails to provide adequate care or comply with relevant standards; directs DPH to establish regulations for the operation of small house nursing homes caring for no more than 14 individuals; increases the penalty in cases where a patient or resident is found to have been abused, neglected or mistreated resulting from a civil action brought by the attorney general; requires facilities to have an outbreak response plan in place; sets out standards for the availability of in-person religious and recreational activities for long-term care residents; requires MassHealth to develop regulations regarding payments to long-term care facilities so as to establish a living wage for employees of said facilities; requires CHIA to conduct an annual examination of cost trends and financial performance among long-term care facilities, and HPC to conduct a study on long-term care facility staffing levels. 

Enacts three new sections into GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to require licensure for home care agencies; requires certain measures be included in regulations, including background checks, wage and labor compliance, and training requirements; allows for fines for the operation of an unlicensed home care agency or violations of regulations; establishes a home care worker and consumer abuse stakeholder advisory committee and a home care oversight advisory council; articulates the qualifications for members; requires each to review and report on the home care industry and status of home care licensure; applies employer non-discrimination statutes to individuals using a personal care attendant.

Amends GL 54:25B to provide for uniform applications, instructions, ballot styles, and other documents between absentee voting and early voting by mail. 

Adds a new Section 35W to GL Chapter 10 establishing the Polling Location Accessibility Fund to promote improved involvement in the electoral process by physically challenged and elderly individuals; directs the state secretary of establish a grant program financed by the Fund to assist cities and towns with local initiatives to make polling locations more accommodating to elderly and physically challenged voters.

Amends GL 54:76B by requiring any voter in a public election to provide a current valid photo form of identification, in the form of a current driver's license, a government employee card, a pilot's license, military identification, a Medicaid or Medicare card, and for students, a photo identification university card, to election officials prior to voting.

Amends election laws to strike language requiring that the street addresses of candidates be included on ballots and to provide that only the candidate's city or town be included.

Amends numerous sections of GL Chapter 53 (Nominations, Questions to be Submitted to the Voters, Primaries and Caucuses) to replace gendered terms with gender neutral language, i.e., replacing ‘he’ with ‘they,’ ‘alderman’ with ‘alderperson,’ and so on.   

Requires that the votes taken by the town of Blandford at its June 6, 2022 annual town meeting (and all actions taken in reliance thereon) be ratified, validated and confirmed to the same extent as if the town had complied with all statutory requirements for posting a warrant for the meeting.

Adds a new Section 72 to GL Chapter 54, requiring police or constable details for buildings containing polling places sufficient to protect the election officers and supervisors from any interference with their duties; further prohibits county or state law enforcement officers, from being present on the premises of a polling place or within 150 feet of a polling place.

Rewrites GL 54:25B governing early voting to provide for early and mail-in voting for all qualified voters for primary and general elections; directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to mail all voters an application to vote early by mail at least seven weeks before a primary or general election; additionally allows for voters to apply electronically; allows for ballots to be returned in person, via dropbox, or through the mail; establishes an in-person early voting period beginning eleven business days before an election, with one weekend of early voting before primary elections, and two before general elections; sets out procedures for the counting of early voting ballots.

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 54 (Elections) to clarify references to Governor's Councilors on ballots.   

Adds a new Section 11A to GL Chapter 53 requiring candidates for state, county or municipal offices to submit affidavits affirming residency; details procedures for challenging such residency claims.

Amends GL 55:13, the prohibition on the solicitation or receipt of political contributions by public employees to allow such employees to solicit contributions from fellow employees for a political committee, the purpose of which is the improvement of the terms and conditions of employment of such employees.

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 55 governing political campaign expenditures and contributions to allow parents running for office to use campaign funds to pay for child-care services; and requires the director of OCPF to promulgate regulations implementing these provisions by December 31, 2023.  

No summary available.

Adds a new Section 1G to GL Chapter 51, granting noncitizens specific municipal voting rights; entitles noncitizens to the right to vote in a municipal election, participate in a town meeting, and be a candidate and serve, if duly elected, in a municipal elected office; requires noncitizen voting registration papers to include language detailing limitations of noncitizen voting and warnings that voting in federal elections may jeopardize citizenship applications; directs the secretary of state to establish noncitizen voter registration forms; requires dissemination of such forms in the same manner as US citizen registration forms. 

Amends provisions of GL c.55 (Disclosure and Regulation of Campaign Expenditures and Contributions) by adding "SMS text message, MMS text message or other text message " to the definition of electioneering communication, and by adding new provisions that establish that an independent expenditure or electioneering communication made by an individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity which is transmitted through SMS text message, MMS text message or other text message must include within the message a written statement disclosing the identity of the individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity paying for the communication and the words ''Top Contributors'' and a written statement that lists the 5 persons or entities that made the largest contributions to that entity. Only contributions in excess of $1,000 reportable during the 12–month period before the date of the advertisement or communication are to be listed.  If no such contribution is received by the entity making an independent expenditure or electioneering communication, the advertisement or communication may exclude the statement. 

Amends GL 52:2 (ward and town committees – elections) by reducing the timeframe for selection of a ward or town committee by a political party from every four years and exclusively at the time of the presidential primaries, to every two years and at the biennial state elections and presidential primaries; amends GL 52:9 (Ward and town committees) by eliminating a the limit of 35 members on ward and town committees. 

Amends GL 55:7A regulating campaign contributions from individuals and their limitations; allows individuals to make additional contributions in excess of individual limits of $1,000, to any independent expenditure PAC, in amounts of up to $5,000 per year.

Adds a new Section 43 to GL Chapter 55, which requires any person in a major policymaking position to disclose any transfer of money or thing of value to individuals or tax exempt organizations (charitable organizations, social welfare organizations, labor, agricultural or horticultural organizations and business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade and professional football leagues) or any other organizations if the entity or organization makes contributions to support or oppose candidates or ballot questions, makes electioneering contributions or that makes independent expenditures related to opposing or supporting candidates; limits disclosures to entity transfers for such purposes in excess of $1,000. 

No summary necessary.

Removes provisions from GL 53:34 placing incumbent names first on the ballot for several offices; removes the designation on ballots for state office in GL 54:41 of 'Candidate for Reelection' next to incumbent names; amends GL 54:42 to require that candidates in primaries for state office be placed in random order with no notation of incumbency.

Adds a new Chapter 180B to the General Laws, requiring employers to allow automatic deductions for social welfare organizations, as defined under U.S. Code 501(c)(4); establishes procedures and directs the Attorney General's Office to promulgate regulations for employee authorization and organization qualification; extends protections for employees choosing to make such deductions. Dues paid to labor or employee organizations are not considered as such donations under this act.

Adds a new Section 62A to GL Chapter 54 (Elections) granting the Secretary of the Commonwealth greater authority to regulate elections during states of emergency; authorizes the following: postponement or extension of qualifying periods for candidates; postponement of election dates, potential suspension of local elections after consultation with local officials, and any additional measures to ensure orderly elections; caps any election postponements at 45 day increments; requires the Secretary to adopt an elections emergency contingency plan to provide guidance to state and local officials in the event of an emergency, and to prepare for alternate voting procedures.

Amends GL 50:1 relative to the designation of political parties by increasing the number of registered voters who must sign on from 50 to 500, and by providing that if after the expiration of two years there are fewer than .25% of the total number of registered voters enrolled in the designation, it will be dissolved and voters registered in that party will be re-registered as unenrolled.

Amends GL Chapter 54 (Voting) to strike requirement that a disability establishing eligibility to vote absentee must be a physical one.

Amends GL 51:7 relative to the form, contents and distribution of street lists for voters, by removing the requirement that those lists include the date of birth, occupation of the voter. 

Establishes that the town of Arlington must allow early voting for any regular or special town election; regulates the manner that early voting in Arlington may take place.

Amends GL 51:1, the statute governing the Qualifications of Voters, to lower the voting age to sixteen.

Amends GL 54:76 by directing election officers to require voters to present a Commonwealth of Massachusetts voter registration card, social security card, valid Massachusetts driver's license, or any other identification card issued by the Commonwealth or the United States, or any valid employee identification card containing a photograph in order to vote.

Adds new Section 34A to GL Chapter 51 establishing a process for same-day voter registration; allows qualified individuals to complete an application at a polling place or early voting location, submit proof of residence, sign an oath regarding their eligibility to vote, and then vote in that day’s primary or election; and provides for people who complete the same-day registration process to be registered as a voter for all subsequent elections.

Amends GL 55:7A, the statute governing campaign contributions to candidates from individuals, to decrease the allowable aggregate amount of campaign contributions for individuals in a calendar year to $1,000.

Amends GL 54:25B (Early voting ballots) and GL 54:87 (Absent voting ballots) to require early voting and absentee ballots be identical to official ballots; currently, early voting ballots must be 'similar' and absentee ballots identical but on different colored paper.

Authorizes any individual aged 16 or 17 years old residing in the City of Somerville, who is ineligible to vote due to age under state law, but who is otherwise eligible to vote under state law, to have their names entered on a list of voters established by the board of election commissioners for the City of Somerville; further authorizes such individuals to vote in any election for local offices and local ballot questions; defines local voters; directs said board to adopts procedures for implementation of this requirement.

Adds a new Section 63A to GL Chapter 54, and amends GL 54:140-144, by simplifying provisions relative to when a special election will be held after the resignation or other vacancy of various local and Commonwealth officers.  In general, the new provisions require that the election for a replacement official be on day of the next general municipal or state election, and makes other technical changes in the process; prohibits the filling of any vacancy which occurs 60 days prior to an election; requires such seats to remain open until the next election.

Establishes a comprehensive set of reforms to encourage those incarcerated or formerly incarcerated in the Commonwealth to vote; the explanatory preamble declares that most of those incarcerated for non-felony offenses are allowed to vote in federal, state and municipal elections by absentee ballot, but are unable to obtain the absentee ballot to do so; further declares that those incarcerated for felonies lose the right to vote while incarcerated, but regain it upon their release; notwithstanding this immediate return of voting rights, many people assume they remain disenfranchised post-incarceration.Adds a new Section 65 to GL Chapter 51 (Voters) designating state correctional facilities as a designated agency for voter registration; requires state correctional facilities to provide absentee ballots, as well as envelopes and postage or other means for their return to the clerk where the requester claims residence; requires the release process for discharged prisoners to include providing a voter registration or declination form.Adds a new Section 150A to GL Chapter 127 (Officers and inmates of penal and reformatory institutions), requiring penal institution superintendents or administrators to notify prisoners of the restoration of their terms upon release; requires superintendents and administrators to provide the secretary of the commonwealth with monthly lists detailing information about people who become ineligible to vote due to a felony conviction and those who become eligible to vote due to their discharge from incarceration; directs the secretary of state to ensure that individuals who regain their right to vote face no barriers, including pre-registration in anticipation of release, re-enrollment on voter lists and education of attorneys, judges, election officials and corrections officials; requires judges to notify defendants of their potential disenfranchisement and restoration of their voting rights. Adds a new Section 29E to GL Chapter 278 (Trials and proceedings before judgment), prohibiting courts from accepting a plea of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere, or an admission to sufficient facts from any defendant in any criminal proceeding without providing notice of a defendant’s loss of voting rights upon incarceration and a return of voting rights upon discharge; allows defendant’s who do not receive such notice to change their plea to not guilty; establishes a presumption that without proof, notice was not provided. 

Adds new Section 71B to GL Chapter 54 (Elections) to require that any unattended ballot drop box be under 24-hour video surveillance, and that footage be maintained for at least 22 months following the election.

Requires third party processors of campaign contributions to immeditately transfer funds to campaign accounts and submit information on contributions on a weekly basis.

Amends GL 55:7A (campaign contributions to candidates from individuals); eliminates limits according to calendar year, and replaces them with limits per election; replaces the $1,000 individual contribution per calendar year with a $1,000 individual contribution per election; repeals provisions regulating contributions for elections that follow special elections to the office of state representative or state senator; replaces the $1,000 limit on calendar year contributions made by individuals for the benefit of elected political committees or non-elected political committees organized on behalf of a political party, with a $5,000 per election limit; replaces the $500 limit on calendar year contributions made to other political committees with a $200 per election limit; repeals provisions requiring the aggregation of contributions by gaming license holders; requires the biennial indexing of all contributions beginning in 2020. 

Adds a new Section 16C to GL Chapter 55, regulating campaign contributions by investment advisors; prohibits investment advisors from making campaign contributions to those for whom he provides or wishes to provide advisory services; prohibits investment advisors from providing advisory services to those for whom he made campaign contributions within the past 2 years; prohibits government officials, including candidates for office and election committee members, from accepting contributions from an investment advisor or subsequently award advisory contracts to investment advisors who made contributions; exempts smaller contributions under $350 and $150 from the ban; permits the office of campaign and political finance to exempt investment advisors from these limitation; imposes a fine up to $1,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months on both the advisor and the involved official for violations.

Amends GL 53:8 (certificates of nomination and nomination papers) by requiring one presidential elector to be chosen from each congressional district, and two presidential electors to be chosen at-large; requires presidential electors-at-large to cast their ballot for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates whose electors received the highest number of votes in the state; requires presidential electors from congressional districts to cast their ballot for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates that received the highest number of votes in their district. 

Adds new Section 24A to GL Chapter 54 requiring the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office to inspect every polling place or early voting location at least once every four years for compliance with state and federal accessibility standards; provides for the inspecting agent to report any compliance issues in writing to local elections officials, and for the official to submit within 5 days a plan to comply with the relevant accessibility standards; authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action to ensure compliance; and requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to submit an annual report to the legislature on any activities under this section. 

Amends GL 51:37 such that voters will be sent a notice warning of removal from the rolls after two consecutive years of non-voting, rather than a single year.

Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the Massachusetts census equity commission within the office of the secretary of state, to ensure an accurate and complete count of all residents of the Commonwealth, with particular focus on undercounted communities; directs the commission to develop and implement census outreach programs which increase awareness of the census, educate residents about its importance and alleviate concerns about perceived repercussions; regulates meeting and reporting requirements.

Amends GL 55:18F relative to electioneering communication expenditures by establishing that any group, association, corporation, labor union or other entity not defined as a political committee can only expends funds collected from a United States citizen for the purpose of an electioneering communication in relation to Internet advertising; establishes certain reporting requirements withrespect to Internet advertising; establishes that if an internet advertisement electioneering communication is removed from a website, the individual, group, association, corporation, labor union or other entity must provide an electronic addendum to the report stating the reason for the removal provided by the website; and requires that if an Internet-related electioneering communication the report must certify under the pains and penalties of perjury that the expenditure was paid for exclusively by United States citizens. Requires the Director of Campaign and Political Finance establish an online public archive for internet advertising electioneering communications, to make available every electioneering communication that is an internet advertisement, the demographic information of the advertising target and the persons or entities that made the largest contributions to that entity, regardless of the purpose for which the funds were given.

Authorizes persons preregistered under GL 51:47A (Pre-registration of persons having obtained the age of 16) to vote in any preliminary or primary election to be held if he or she shall be the age of 18 years at the time of the subsequent special or general election.

Adds a new Section 1G to GL Chapter 51, granting noncitizens specific municipal voting rights; entitles noncitizens to the right to vote in a municipal election, participate in a town meeting, and be a candidate and serve, if duly elected, in a municipal elected office; requires noncitizen voting registration papers to include language detailing limitations of noncitizen voting and warnings that voting in federal elections may jeopardize citizenship applications; directs the Secretary of State to establish noncitizen voter registration forms; requires dissemination of such forms in the same manner as U.S. citizen registration forms. 

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 51 to separate the annual municipal census from voter registration and establish new procedures for the maintenance of active and inactive voter lists; provides for individuals registering to vote to be added to the register of voters, and allows for individuals to be removed in the event they change residences, request removal in writing, die, are incarcerated, or were incorrectly registered.    

Amends various provisions of GL c. 9 (Secretary of State) and 54 (Elections) to change some of the rules relative to reprecincting. In particular: Adds a definition "decennial division" as the division of districts based on the decennial federal census; Establishes that the division of cities or towns into wards and precincts should not be approved until the final approval of the enacted decennial division by the governor.  Changes the timeline for submitting the final approval of the enacted decennial division to 30 days after approval by the governor; Requires the Secretary of State to assist towns in producing draft precincts and deliver them to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives; Changes the deadline for submitting draft precincts to 14 days prior to the state primary preceding the next biennial election; Requires every city to deliver electronic files containing population data and descriptions of approved districts to the local election districts review commission; Specifies that precincts established or remaining unchanged after the decennial division will remain unchanged for the purpose of electing officers until the next decennial division.

Adds definitions to GL 55:1, and adds new Section 18H to GL Chapter 55 to require those calling voters with regard to a political candidate to follow certain rules that include disclosing the purpose of the phone call, on whose behalf the call is made, provide a valid number to call back, and prohibits falsifying information; violations are punished by a fine of up to $1,000.

Establishes a ten member special commission to investigate increasing voter participation in primary elections; directs the Commission to investigate, in particular, implementation of a Top Two Primary system, party convention rules for nominations, primary dates and the elimination of the current party primary election system; articulates the qualifications of Commission members; directs the Commission  to report to the legislature within six months after the enactment of this legislation. 

Adds a new Section 103R to GL Chapter 54 (Elections) to authorize a city or town that accepts this Act to conduct a local election using ranked choice voting in which voters rank the candidates for an office in order of preference; establishes procedures for implementation of such method.

Adds new Section 1G to GL Chapter 51, the statute governing Voters, to allow non-citizen residents of a city or town to vote in local elections, subject to acceptance of this law by Town Meeting or the City Council and by voters at a special election.

Amends GL 51:1, the statute governing qualification of voters, to disqualify from voting, those who have previously been convicted of attempted murder, assault with intent to commit rape, manslaughter, or indecent assault and battery on a child.

Amends GL 54:53 (Ballot question statements) to require that the Secretary of Administration & Finance consult with the Attorney General and Secretary of State on the drafting of ballot question fiscal statements.

Amends GL 54:25B (Early voting) to establish a process to reimburse municipalities for expenses incurred through the administration of early voting; directs the State Auditor to deliver an annual report to the Secretary of the Commonwealth outlining the incremental costs to each municipality attributable to early voting, along with estimates for the following year; requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to include these cost estimates in his annual budget request, and distribute the funds to municipalities accordingly; allows for municipalities to be reimbursed for the cost of voting booths, privacy screens, and labor.

Amends GL 54:142 relative to the election of DAs and county officers, by mandating holding elections within 120 days of a failure to elect or vacancies in the offices of district attorney, register of probate, sheriff, clerk of the courts, or in Suffolk County, the supreme judicial court or the superior court; regulates the temporary assumption of duties of these positions by the first assistants.

Adds a new Section 67 to GL Chapter 51, directing the secretary of state to issue upon request and at no cost, a photo identification card to be used for voting purposes only; amends GL 54:76B (Failure to present voter identification; right to challenge vote) by repealing existing requirements for presentation of identification to vote; instead, requires any person looking to vote in a federal, state, local or primary election to establish their eligibility to vote by providing a valid photo identification card, MassHealth card or Medicare card to an election officer prior to voting; defines acceptable forms of ID as including a voting identification card, current driver’s license, government employee identification card, pilot’s license, military identification, state identification card or US passport.

Amends GL 50 (primaries, caucuses and elections) and GL 51 (voters) by repealing language that disqualifies individuals incarcerated for felony convictions from voting in any election.

Amends GL Chapter 55 (Disclosure and Regulation of Campaign Expenditures and Contributions) to attempt to limit the influence of foreign nationals and foreign corporations in local elections by establishing that no foreign-influenced corporation may make an independent expenditure, or an electioneering communication expenditure, or a contribution to an independent expenditure PAC in the Commonwealth. Unless the individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity making the independent expenditure or electioneering communication has received a statement of certification from each person or entity required to be listed as a 'top contributor,' avowing under penalty of perjury that none of the funds used to make each such person or entity's contribution were derived from foreign-influenced corporations, any advertisement must include the following disclaimer: Some of the funds used to pay for this message may have been provided by foreign-influenced corporations [or alternatively] may be partly funded by foreign-influenced corporations.The individual, corporation, group, association, labor union or other entity making the independent expenditure or electioneering communication will be entitled to rely on such a statement of certification, unless they have actual knowledge that such certification is false.

Amends GL 54:24 governing designation of polling sites, to require that precincts with more than one thousand students, faculty, or staff eligible to vote within the precinct have a polling site within a half-mile of the institution; requires public institutions to provide space for the polling site free of charge upon request; makes grammatical changes.

Amends GL 50 (primaries, caucuses and elections) and GL 51 (voters) by repealing language that disqualifies individuals incarcerated for felony convictions from voting in any election.

Adds a new Section 103R to GL Chapter 54 allowing cities and towns to elect to use ranked choice voting in municipal elections; requires the tabulation of election results in rounds using the single transferable vote method; regulates calculation of winning thresholds; requires determination of general provisions for a single-winner election and a multiple-winner election by ordinance or by-law; details minimum ordinance or by-law standards for running ranked choice voting; requires cities and towns that use ranked choice voting to conduct voter education and outreach campaigns; requires municipalities to return to prior voting methods after four years; allows citizens between the ages of 16 and 17 to vote in municipal elections.

Rewrites GL 54:109A, which authorizes random audits of precincts following presidential elections, instead setting out new procedures for risk-limiting audits following regular primary and biennial state elections; establishes and regulates the requirements for 'risk-limiting' audits, including use of a hand tally of certain ballots until there is 95% certainty that an electoral outcome was correctly determined; otherwise requires a full manual recount in cases where said statistical method is insufficient; provides for the results of any audits to be published online; and directs the secretary of the commonwealth to develop regulations and procedures governing risk-limiting audits.   

Amends GL 53:8 (certificates of nomination and nomination papers) by requiring one presidential elector to be chosen from each congressional district, and two presidential electors to be chosen at-large; requires presidential electors-at-large to cast their ballot for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates whose electors received the highest number of votes in the state; requires presidential electors from congressional districts to cast their ballot for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates that received the highest number of votes in their district. 

Amends GL 51:55, 54:91, and 54:91A to require registrars of voters to provide the Secretary of State with copies of voting lists, absentee voting lists and specially qualified voting lists; provides that the registration of a voter in the Commonwealth's electronic registration system shall be sufficient to carry out this requirement; makes such lists subject to the Public Records Law.

Amends provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (30A) by adding provisions that provide flexibility for towns to postpone or hold town meetings and public meetings during emergencies, ensuring that actions taken during such meetings are valid and in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. In particular: Allows a town to postpone a scheduled town meeting for up to 14 days with the approval of the moderator, if a short-term emergency prevents the meeting from taking place at the designated time and location. The moderator must provide notice of the rescheduled meeting, following the same notice provisions as for regular town meetings, at least 48 hours in advance. All actions taken during the rescheduled meeting are ratified and confirmed as if conducted in accordance with applicable laws. In the event of an emergency lasting more than 14 days, a town can request approval from the Attorney General's office to hold a town meeting according to the rules established in SL 2021:20, §20. The chair of the select board or board of selectmen must submit a written request to the Attorney General's office, explaining the nature and expected duration of the emergency.

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 54 to prohibit city or town clerks from mailing or delivering early voting ballots more than 30 days before the date of a primary or general election.   

Amends various definitions related to candidates for public office; prohibits use of the word independent to classify any candidate that is enrolled with a political party; allows use of the word independent to note candidates unaffiliated with a political party; prohibits designation of such candidates and voters registered without a political party as unenrolled; alternatively requires designation of such candidates and voters as independent.

Adds new Section 1R to GL 69 (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) to direct the Department, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, to create a minimum of a 1 hour per school year instructional awareness program to educate students and faculty on emergency preparedness, planning, and management of situations, including weather, natural disasters, viruses and human made disasters.

Establishes a Climate Resilient Capital Task Force, to be composed of 17 members. The Task Force may receive and expend such funds to carry out its mission as may be authorized and appropriated or donated from time to time. The task force is to conduct a study of the “maintenance and defense of the current capital in Boston” including estimating the probability-weighted cost of catastrophic storm damage to the State House, the offices of the agencies, and the offices of the Supreme Judicial Court as currently situated. The Task Force is to define the high-confidence climate resilience defense against this low-likelihood, high impact scenario in the form of upgrades to the region and surroundings of the State House, to the offices of the agencies, and to the offices of the Supreme Judicial Court, and to chosen neighborhoods.

Amends GL 112:12C, providing reporting guidelines for healthcare providers administering vaccines with adverse side effects within three months of vaccination; mandates that healthcare providers in settings with more than two providers have an automated vaccine adverse event detection and reporting system integrated into electronic medical health records; and directs the DPH to commission a study on the long-term health outcomes of vaccine recipients.  

Establishes a special citizens commission to investigate and make recommendations on the transition away from the production of nuclear weapons within the commonwealth and toward the production of green technologies to address climate change; outlines specific duties and membership requirements of commission; and requires commission to report its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2025.  

Amends provisions of GL c.21N (Climate Protection and Green Economy Act) by establishing a a Climate & Community Resilience Fund, to be governed by an 11 member board, and which is to receive revenues from a new property insurance fee, any appropriations, any bond revenues authorized by the Legislature, income derived from the investment of amounts credited to the fund or repayment of loans from the fund, and funds from public or private sources.  Amounts credited to the fund may be used to provide grants or loans to community-based organizations, nonprofit entities, quasi-governmental, and governmental entities for costs and expenditures for programs and projects that achieve local, regional, or the commonwealth’s climate change mitigation and adaptation goals.

Adds a new Section 2RRRR to GL Chapter 29 creating the Massachusetts Agricultural Disaster Relief Fund administered by MDAR to assist farmers who suffered agricultural losses, financial losses, or property damage due to natural disasters; provides for the Fund to be financed by any gifts, grants and donations from public or private sources, federal reimbursements and grants-in-aid, appropriations by the general court and any interest earned from the fund; provides for an annual report of the Fund's activities to be submitted to the legislature.  

Enacts a new GL Chapter Chapter 25D, entitled Department of Energy Transformation Planning, situated inside the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The new department is tasked with advancing the Commonwealth’s public interest by conducting statewide long-term distribution system planning. No later than December 31, 2023 and every 3 years thereafter, the department is to issue a 10-year plan for the energy distribution system to enable the cost-effective achievement of statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits and other climate policies pursuant to GL c. 21N (Climate Protection and Green Economy Act).

Establishes and regulates the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, which will provide competitive grants for programs, projects, and initiatives aligned with the objectives of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Directs the Department of Environmental Management to establish a Trail Access Working Group to collect and publish data in support of the declared the policy of the commonwealth to maximize access to trails, outdoor spaces and outdoor recreational activities for people of all abilities, and to advance equity for all residents of the commonwealth; specifies membership and duties of Working Group.

Adds several new sections to GL Chapter 21A outlining provisions for the sustainable packaging of consumer goods sold in the Commonwealth; requires businesses to register with the Department of Environmental Protection annually and develop a program plan for the collection and recycling of post-consumer packaging; establishes a Sustainable Packaging Advisory Board and a Sustainable Packaging Trust to assist businesses and the Department in implementing these requirements.   

Adds a new GL Chapter 21P (Plastic Bag Reduction), which prohibits retail establishments from providing customers with single-use plastic carryout bags or any other bags which are not recyclable paper or reusable carryout bags; exempts various goods from the ban, including prescription medicines, produce, meat, poultry, fish, bread and other food items which need to be kept fresh, frozen food items to prevent thawing, items which are prone to leaking, items that are powdery, greasy or dirty, items needing protection from contamination, chemical items that can be harmful to public health, food, groceries or articles of clothing distributed by nonprofits, and items requiring specific packaging under law. Allows retail establishments to charge a fee up to 10 cents per bag for recyclable paper bags or reusable carryout bags; requires retail establishments that impose such 10 cent fee to remit 5 cents to the commissioner of revenue along with sales tax; exempts the sale of recyclable or reusable carryout bags from sales and use taxes; exempts retail establishments with 3 or fewer locations of 4,000 or fewer square feet, and with up to 15 employees, is a food establishment, or used less than 15,000 plastic bags during the prior calendar year, from provisions related to charging for paper or reusable bags; regulates the distribution of collected amounts to municipalities for various environmental purposes, including cleanup programs, recycling education and promotion, beautification and community greening.  Allows retail establishments to continue selling packages containing bags of numerous types, including food bags, sandwich bags, yard waste bags, garbage bags, or municipal pay-as-you-throw program trash bags; requires municipalities to enforce compliance with the plastic bag ban; imposes a warning for initial violations, a $500 penalty for second violation and $1000 penalty for third and subsequent violations; directs the department to establish standards for reusable carryout bags, including minimum weight and number of uses required of a reusable carryout bag, and the minimum amount of any recycled material required; implements provisions within six months of passage; directs the department of transitional assistance to seek approval from the federal government on bans on charging those using electronic benefits transfer cards for recyclable bags; instructs the department of environmental protection to inform the clerks of the house and senate of anticipated shortages in paper bags; repeals language exempting small retailers from charging for bags effective January 1, 2025. 

Adds two new sections to GL Chapter 30 directing EOEEA to promulgate regulations limiting the number of sites on the EPA Toxics Release Inventory in environmental justice communities.

Reimposes the sales tax on fertlizer; establishes a Blue Communities program and fund under EOEEA for municipalities pursuing certain enumerated projects and undertaking environmental justice planning; makes funding available from the sales tax on fertilizer along with contributions from offshore wind and carbon-related revenue.

Directs the Governor to proclaim the third week of August as Ocean Acidification Awareness Week; establishes the Ocean Acidification Council and directs the council to implement an acidification monitoring system; adds ocean acidification to the statewide adaptation strategy and to state agency environmental impact reviews.

Amends GL 7 (Executive Office for Administration and Finance) to direct the operational services division, in consultation with the department of environmental protection, to promulgate regulations to establish a process and develop criteria for determining the types of food service products that are reusable, recyclable, compostable or biodegradable; lists criteria for the division to consider in determining  whether such product is reusable; further directs the division to develop a list of approved types of reusable, recyclable or compostable food service products to be used by food service facilities and to publish the list on its website; prohibits such facilities from dispensing single-use disposable bottles containing water or soda, or single-use plastic bags; establishes procedures for implementation of this Act.

Amends GL 111:150A, relative to solid waste disposal facilities; introduces the concept of a 'facility density zone' as a geographical area or zone where 5 or more existing facility sites are situated within 4 miles of a proposed new or expanded facility; authorizes the Board of Health of any other municipality within one-half mile of a proposed new or expanded facility site within a facility density zone to hold public hearings to consider the public health and safety impacts of the proposed facility on its community before making a written determination on the suitability of the proposed facility; authorizes any person, including a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, desiring to establish a new facility or expand an existing facility to a determination of whether an environmental review is required for the proposed facility under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act; requires an environmental impact report for a proposed new or expanded facility, without exception or waiver, where the facility site is located in a facility density zone and the facility's planned new or expanded capacity is 20 tons or more, per day of refuse, or where the facility's planned new or expanded capacity is 150 tons or more, per day of refuse. Prohibits the granting of a permit for a new or expanded facility unless the environmental impact report, if required, provides in specific detail that the proposed facility meets all such siting requirements.

Amends SES 2021:8 (Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy) to add to definition of Environmental justice population a neighborhood that is located within ½ mile of a site which is or has previously been designated a Superfund site as defined by 42 USC § 1397h(c)(5).

Adds new section 107 to GL 130 (Marine fisheries) to authorize the director of the division of marine fisheries to grant special activity licenses for oceanic scientific research, including but not limited to aquaculture or mariculture; scientific, environmental and biological collection and study, assessment or experimentation; collection and possession for education purposes; specifies requirements for such licensing.

Eliminates the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board, as established in GL 252, and enacts in its place a new GL 252 creating a Mosquito Management Office under the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs; articulates qualifications of its governing board; directs the board to create a mosquito management plan following certain ecological principles and including public education and outreach; authorizes municipalities and groups thereof to form mosquito management districts, providing for continuity of the existing mosquito control projects; articulates the qualifications and powers of a district's governing council; requires 72 hour prior notice to residents within a half-mile of the application of an adult-targeting pesticide; requires the board to maintain a "no spray list" that households may opt into; prohibits the use of PFAS in pesticides used under the chapter; requires the board submit an annual report to the legislature.

Directs the Department of Environmental Protection, the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to establish funds to keep keeps material, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible, to improve ocean health and the responsible use of the ocean, and to expand ocean sector jobs in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

Adds a new GL Chapter 21P, regulating the recycling of discarded electronic products; requires any producer of covered electronics, including televisions and computers, to register with the department of environmental protection; requires the registration to include the brand names of covered electronic products, methods of sale in the commonwealth, existing and future efforts for collection, recovery, reuse or recycling of such products; imposes financial responsibility for collection, transportation, and reuse or recycling on producers, either through reimbursement of collectors or direct collection efforts; regulates implementation of direct collection programs; requires electronics collectors and processors to register with the Department of Environmental Protection; prohibits collectors from charging fees to individuals for the collection of electronic products; allows collectors to use parts from collected computers in making repairs; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of an advisory committee within DEP for electronic waste; requires the committee to make recommendations on implementing electronics products recycling programs.

Establishes new GL Chapter 21P, to be known as the Massachusetts Plastics Reduction Act, aimed at reducing the utilization of single use plastics by retailers and food establishments; requires businesses to charge customers at least 10 cents per carryout bag, and requires said bag to be either reusable or made of recycled paper; provides for 5 cents from the sale of each carryout bag to be remitted to the DOR; exempts small business from the carryout bag restrictions; additionally requires that any food service ware (plates, cups, takeout containers, etc.) provided to customers be biodegradable or compostable; further restricts the sale of plastic water bottles; and provides for an annual study on the production or sale of plastic versus sustainable packaging in the Commonwealth. Additionally, creates an Environmental Protection Trust Fund financed in part by revenues collected pursuant to this chapter; directs DEP to prepare a plan to establish comprehensive publicly accessible statewide composting; and establishes a special legislative commission to investigate an extended producer responsibility plan for the Commonwealth.

Requires any dental facility located within a Zone II of a public water supply, which discharges industrial wastewater into a septic system, to obtain verification from the municipal or regional health authority where the facility is located that the facility has no standing order to replace or repair the septic tank; requires any such facility to obtain verification within 120 days of the effective date of this act, and every five years thereafter; directs that 314 CMR 18.01 to 18.11 not apply to dental facilities.

Submits a framework for the control and mitigation of invasive species in the commonwealth; establishes and regulate the use of the Invasive Species Trust Fund, for use by the newly created invasive species committee; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the comprehensive invasive species office within the executive office of energy and environmental affairs; charges the office with controlling invasive species and coordinating land and waterway management efforts across the state; regulates the contents of the statewide strategic management plan relating to early detection and rapid response, control, enforcement, and education of the public with respect to all taxa of invasive species; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the invasive species advisory committee to provide information, advice and guidance to the invasive species office; directs the committee to undertake the listed responsibilities, including maintain oversight of invasive species, recommend legislation and administrative policies, prioritize remediation activities, and identify and establish new revenue sources for the trust fund.

Defines any proposal initiated by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and its subordinate agencies, commissions, or boards, including rules, regulations or guidance documents or policies, that result in additional municipal costs as local mandates; prohibits implementing such rules, regulations or guidance documents without completion of a regulatory impact statement, which includes short and long term fiscal impacts; additionally prohibits implementation of any EOEEA rules, regulations or guidance documents or policies relating to water, wastewater and/or stormwater without prior compliance with the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures Act.

Amends provisions of GL 21N:5 relative to the roadmap under the  Climate Protection and Green Economy Act by adding two new requirements to the roadmap: it must contain benchmarks, baseline measurements, measures of carbon flux, roadmap goals and plans for natural and working lands reported separately for each of four enumerated categories; (2) it must provide a full carbon accounting of all lands in the Commonwealth with carbon offset contracts in effect.

Establishes the Quabbin Host Community Development Trust Fund to be used, without further appropriation, by the secretary of energy and environmental affairs for the municipal service, public safety, and development needs of Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Communities; provides that Massachusetts Water Resources Authority shall be assessed an amount equal to 5/100th of a dollar per 1000 gallons drawn from the Quabbin Reservoir, to be deposited into the fund; amends GL 59:5G to provide that payment in lieu of taxes by MWRA shall be based on total acreage held by the towns of Belchertown, Hardwick, New Salem, Pelham, Petersham and Ware; amends composition of Quabbin board of directors; requires MWRA to complete a Water System Expansion Evaluation of the Westfield River Basin communities, Chicopee River Basin communities, Connecticut River Basin communities, and Millers River Basin communities.

Makes several amendments to Chapter 21A (Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) primarily focused on enhancing reporting mechanisms, defining nonlead ammunition, regulating hunting practices, and increasing penalties for violations. In particular: Nonlead ammunition is defined as ammunition containing less than 1% of lead; EOEEA is empowered to establish rules and regulations for hunting seasons, including provisions for a 2-day deer hunt for persons with paraplegia. Establishes that birds or mammals must be taken only with nonlead ammunition, with penalties for noncompliance; Establishes that the penalty for violating specified provisions or regulations is increased to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.  

Amends GL 131 to direct the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife to set 30% of Wildlife Management Area aside as Nature Reserves; establishes a council to oversee the designation and management of the reserves; requires the council file a biennial report on the reserves with the Governor; places new restrictions on the use of such land, such as prohibiting timber removal.

Amends various provisions relative to the environmental protection of the Massachusetts military reservation on Cape Cod, also known as the Joint Base Cape Cod, or JBCC; repeals reference to the department of fisheries, wildlife and environmental law enforcement, and replaces it with the department of fish and game and the department of conservation and recreation; further replaces reference to the department of environmental affairs to the department of energy and environmental affairs; includes the department of fish and game and the commissioner of conservation and recreation on the environmental management commission; modifies the membership of the advisory committees, by removing appointees of the Governor and replacing them with at-large representatives.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees (GL 32A), the division of medical assistance (GL 118E), health insurance companies (GL 175), non-profit hospital service corporations (GL 176A), medical service corporations (GL 176B) and health maintenance organizations (GL 176G) to provide coverage for medically necessary screening for colorectal cancer starting at the age of 30; prohibits imposition of a copayment, deductible, co-insurance or other cost sharing measures; additionally bans charges for services associated with colorectal cancer screenings, including tissue removal, laboratory services, anesthesia, or facility use.

Adds a new Section 70 to GL Chapter 183 which permits real estate owners to bring a civil suit for damages against a third party that completes a standard flood hazard determination form incorrectly; defines both classification of a building as in a special flood hazard area when it isn't, or classification of a building as not in a special flood hazard area when it is, as possible causes of action; defines damages as including expenses incurred due to not obtaining flood insurance; establishes a rebuttable presumption that the designation was correct if the form was filled out by a professional engineer or a professional land surveyor; allows the rewarding of actual costs, reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.

Amends GL 12:11F (Attorney General - insurance companies and intervention in proceedings) by authorizing the Attorney General to intervene in cases involving the national flood insurance program, including those related to the setting of rates, prices, and charges, the promulgation of municipal flood insurance rate maps, and the administration of flood insurance claims.

Adds new provisions to various health insurance related statutes that requires that any health insurance policy that provides medical expense coverage for screening mammograms is also to provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer and for digital breast tomosynthesis screening and medically necessary and appropriate screening with breast magnetic resonance imaging or breast ultrasound on a basis not less favorable than screening mammograms that are covered as medical benefits. such a policy is not to require preauthorization prior to medically necessary diagnostic imaging for an annual breast cancer screening. These provisions are to apply in parallel to Group Insurance (GL Chapter 32A), Medicaid (GL Chapter 118E), health insurance indemnity plans (GL Chapter 175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176B), and Health Maintenance Organizations (GL Chapter 176G).

The bill amends provisions of General Laws related to Group Insurance, Medicaid, and Health Insurance Consumer Protections relative to prescription utilization review, and outlines circumstances under which a carrier or utilization review organization cannot perform prior authorization on health care services or benefits. These circumstances include: Generic prescription drugs not listed in the controlled substances schedules; Prescription drugs (generic or brand name) not listed in the controlled substances schedules after the insured has been using them uninterrupted for six months; Prescription drugs (generic or brand name) for which prior authorization has already been approved on the grounds of therapeutic duplication; Prescription drugs (generic or brand name) where the only reason for prior authorization is a dosage adjustment by the prescriber; Long-acting injectable antipsychotic drugs; and, Prescription drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid use disorders. The bill also specifies that adverse determinations during prior authorization must be made by a physician in the same specialty as the prescriber or a physician specializing in the treatment of the relevant condition. However, prior authorizations that do not result in adverse determinations do not require physician involvement. Further, the bill introduces an expedited internal grievance process for adverse determinations related to prescription drugs subject to prior authorization. In particular: If the prescriber believes the insured will suffer serious harm without access to the drug, they can initiate this process; The carrier or utilization review organization must render a decision within 48 hours and provide written notice; If no decision is reached within the specified timeframe, the initial adverse determination is automatically overturned, granting immediate approval for coverage of the drug; The decision during the expedited grievance process must be made by a physician in the same specialty as the prescriber or a physician specializing in the relevant condition, but not the same physician who made the initial adverse determination.

Adds a new Section 35D to GL Chapter 244 (Foreclosure) to establish a statewide Foreclosure Prevention Program applicable to 1-4 unit owner-occupied residential properties to require mortgage servicers and homeowners to participate in pre-foreclosure conferences to explore alternatives to foreclosure.

Establishes a drug access program within EOHHS for the purpose of enhancing access to targeted high-value medications used to treat certain chronic conditions. EOHHS is required to identify one generic drug and one brand name drug used to treat (i) diabetes; (ii) asthma; and (iii) heart conditions, (especially hypertension and coronary artery disease). Further requires any carrier to provide coverage for the brand name drugs and generic drugs identified by the drug access program. Coverage for identified generic drugs will not be subject to any cost-sharing; any co-payment may not exceed $25 per 30-day supply; requires coverage for one brand name insulin drug per dosage, that coverage not to be subject to any deductible or co-insurance in excess if $25 per 30-day supply. These coverage requirements are enacted in parallel, amending GL c.32A (Group Insurance), 118E (Medicaid), 175 (Insurance), 176A (Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations), 176B (Medical Service Corporations), and 176G (Health Maintenance Organizations).

Establishes a new Chapter 176X into the General Laws (Licensing and Regulation of Pharmacy Benefit Managers) by establishing pharmacy benefit managers as a new category of licensed professionals within the insurance industry.  The licensing of pharmacy benefit managers will take place under the auspices of the Division of Insurance; DOI is not to suspend or cancel a license unless they have first afforded the pharmacy benefit manager an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (GL c.30A). Violations of these provisions can subject a person to a fine of $5,000 per day for each day that the person, business or other entity is found to be in violation. The bill makes a number of other technical provisions, including amendments to GL c.12C (Center for Health Information and Analysis) to integrate with the new Chapter.

Allows the Board of Allied Health Professions to issue licenses for lactation care providers and amends General Laws pertaining to health insurance coverage to require insurance carriers to provide coverage for lactation care services.

Adds new provisions to various general laws related to health insurance, that harmonize state law with certain provisions of federal law, especially those found in 42 USC 254B and 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(2)(C). In particular, the provisions provide that health insurers are to ensure that the rate of payment for any Federally Qualified Health Center services provided to a patient by a community health center, are to be reimbursed through a methodology that conforms with Title 42 of the United States Code, as of January 1, 2023. These provisions apply in parallel to chapter on Group Insurance (GL c.32A), Medicaid (GL c.118E), health insurance indemnity plans (GL c.175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL c.176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL c.176B), Dental Service Corporations (GL c.176E), Health Maintenance Organizations (GL c.176G), and Preferred Provider Arrangements (GL c.176I).

Submits new sections of the General Laws related to account for hurricane risk assessments; adds a new Section 99D to GL Chapter 175, which requires insurance companies that offer property insurance to submit models, methods, principles, standards and data used in calculating their hurricane loss projection model to the commissioner of insurance as part of their rate approval application; prohibits insurance companies that fail to provide the information from including hurricane loss projections from their filings; classifies the data, and discussions of rates that use it, as confidential and exempt from open meetings laws;  requires companies that offer multi-peril policies to modify offered coverage if the applicant can prove that the coverage amount exceeds the assessed value of the property by more than 10%; amends the membership of supervisory board of the joint underwriting association created under GL 175C:4, which provides basic property insurance for individuals unable to obtain it in the private market; requires inclusion of 4 directors from the general public appointed by the commissioner of insurance and 2 directors from the general public appointed by the attorney general.

Adds a new GL Chapter 174D to establish a Title Insurance Law, which prohibits assessing lender's title insurance against buyers who refinance their homes; requires title insurance providers to file quarterly reports with the commissioner of insurance and the attorney general that details their rates; permits public inspection of the reports after their filing; requires any party that applies for title insurance on behalf of a buyer, including agents and attorneys, to provide buyers with a disclosure that states the costs and how they are allocated; entitles buyers obtaining insurance for a property that is identical to a property insured within the last 15 years to the reissue rate; lists documentation that proves a buyers entitlement to the reissue rate, including a deed, a prior insurance policy or an unsatisfied mortgage; defines the reissue rate as 50 percent of the basic rate; requires disclosure language on all title insurance policies that mentions the availability of a reduced or waived rate.

Amends various banking statutes and those related to the deposit of public monies to provide that a portion of certain public monies, including those from any city, town, district or regional school district, may be deposited in accordance with the following conditions: (i) the funds are initially invested through a banking institution doing business in the commonwealth that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is selected by the treasurer; (ii) the selected banking institution arranges for the redeposit of the funds in deposit accounts in one or more banks or savings and loan associations wherever located; and (iii) the full amount or principal and any accrued interest of each such deposit account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, other sections provide: That various officials, like county treasurers and clerks, to deposit surplus funds in approved financial institutions at competitive interest rates; That money from the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation should be paid to the treasurer and deposited in financial institutions in line with GL c.29; and, That a  financial institution may postpone the annual meeting of its voting body if the Governor has declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth or the area or areas served by the financial institution; That a financial institution may hold its annual meeting in a virtual or hybrid manner if the Governor has declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth. In addition, certain other banking practices are declared to be unfair methods and unfair and unsafe acts or practices (without reference to GL c.93A) including  To require contracts in excess of five years without a commitment to upgrade their products and services to meet safe and sound tenets of banking and compliance with state and federal requirements;  To fail to indemnify the financial institution from infringement claims arising out of software or technology products or services provided or licensed by the core processor;  To  charge excessive or previously undisclosed fees or charges for a financial institution to obtain its own data including tapes of such data;  To charge termination penalties from a financial institution that is not the continuing entity upon consummation of a merger with another financial institution, including a merger with and into a financial institution that utilizes the same core processor;  To perform abusive audits of existing contracts over extended retroactive periods upon notification by a financial institution that it will not to renew its contract with that core processor;  To act to accomplish, either directly or indirectly, through any parent company, subsidiary or agent, what would otherwise be prohibited; and  To coerce a financial institution to assent to a release, assignment, novation, waiver or estoppel that would prospectively relieve any person from liability imposed. Finally, the bill makes certain other technical changes to banking law.

Adds a new Chapter 255G to the General Laws, entitled Debt Management Services, defined as directly or indirectly receiving money to distribute it to one or more of an individuals creditors in partial or full satisfaction of secured or unsecured debts. The chapter prohibits anyone from engaging in or advertising for debt management services unless such person has first obtained a debt management services license from the commissioner, and regulates the process for obtaining such a license. Certain persons are exempt from the licensing requirements, including those who are performing debt management services without compensation for a non-profit, judicial officers, and certain other enumerated exceptions; amends GL 180:4A to rewrite provisions related to credit counseling services.

Amends various provisions of General Law relating to health insurance, to provide essentially that a health insurer that participates in the federal “340B” covered drug program (within the definition of 256b(a)(4) of U.S.C Title 42) may not do any of the following: Reimburse a covered entity or contract pharmacy for a quantity of a 340B drug in an amount less than such plan, issuer, or manager would pay to any other similarly situated entity or pharmacy that is not a covered entity;  Discriminate against a 340B-covered entity by imposing requirements, exclusions, reimbursement terms, or other conditions on such entity that differ from those applied to entities that are not 340B-covered; and Require a claim for a drug to include a modifier to indicate that the drug is a 340B drug, unless the claim is for payment by Medicaid. These provisions are set forth in parallel, amending GL c.32A (Group Insurance), 175 (Insurance), 176A (Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations), 176B (Medical Service Corporations), 176G (Health Maintenance Organizations), and 176I (Preferred Provider Arrangements).

Adds three new chapter to the General Laws,  Chapter 175N (Portable Benefits for App-based-Delivery Drivers), Chapter 175O (Occupational Accident Insurance for App-Based-Delivery Drivers), and Chapter 175P (Automobile Insurance for Delivery Network Companies and Drivers). Together, these three chapters establish a comprehensive regulation of the delivery driver industry. In particular, the three new chapters: Classify delivery drivers as independent contractors, and authorizes multiple delivery platforms to provide benefits such as income replacement and health coverage; delivery network companies are required to purchase occupational accident insurance and maintain automobile insurance for app-based delivery workers; Establish the contribution requirements for delivery network companies to the portable benefit account of eligible drivers, and that the company must contribute 4% of an eligible driver's earnings from the previous quarter; Establish that eligible drivers with funds in a portable benefit account can receive distributions for permissible uses; Establish tax exemptions and deductions related to portable benefit accounts, contributions, and distributions; Prohibit delivery network companies from refusing to contract with or terminate app-based delivery drivers based on certain protected characteristics; Require companies to purchase occupational accident insurance for app-based delivery drivers, covering medical expenses and lost income resulting from injuries sustained while engaged in delivery services; Establish requirements for automobile insurance coverage during the delivery service period.

Limits cost-sharing provisions imposed for medically necessary items for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes by the contributory health insurance for public employees, the division of medical assistance, health insurance companies, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations, to $25 for a 30-day supply of insulin, $50 for a 30-day supply of prescribed oral diabetes medications that influence blood sugar levels, and $100 for all other necessary items.

Requires various kinds of health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary functional repair or restoration of craniofacial disorders, with the exception of coverage for cleft lip and cleft palate which is prescribed elsewhere in the General Laws. Coverage is not include cosmetic surgery or for dental or orthodontic treatment unrelated to congenital defects, developmental deformities, trauma, tumors, infections or disease; the benefits in this section will not be subject to any greater deductible, coinsurance, copayments or out-of-pocket limits than any other benefit provided by the commission. These requirements are enacted in parallel, and includes the Group Insurance Commission (GL Chapter 32A), Medicaid (GL Chapter 118E), Indemnity Plans (GL Chapter 175), Non-Profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176B) Health Maintenance Organizations (GL Chapter 176G), and Preferred Provider Plans (GL Chapter 176I).

Amends GL 112 (Registration of Certain Professions and Occupations) to permit a dentist and a patient to enter into a direct dental care agreement; requires such an agreement to: (i) describe the services to be provided in exchange for payment of a periodic fee; (ii) specify the periodic fee required and any additional fees that may be charged; (iii) specify that the termination of the agreement shall not affect any other agreement entered into pursuant to this section; and (iv) prohibit the dentist from submitting a fee-for-service claim for payment for services covered under the agreement; defines dentist, dental care, dental care agreement and patient; provides that a dentist who enters into such an agreement shall not be considered an insurance company and shall not be subject to the oversight of the division of insurance.

Establishes a new GL 112:53A, allowing dentists to enter into contracts with patients or other entities, including dental insurance companies, without restriction, including from other dental insurance companies or other insurance companies; prohibits dental insurance companies from charging a fee or determining reimbursement for dental services provided to patients on the basis of other fees and reimbursements provided under a different policy offered by another company, MassHealth or other contract. 

Amends health insurance chapters of General Laws to require carriers to provide coverage for the rental and usage of a multi-user breast pump by the mother of a newborn infant who is receiving care at an intensive care or special care nursery, or has cardiac, neurological, or oral anomalies that prevent direct feeding at the breast, until such time as the infant is discharged, or until the mother is no longer pumping breastmilk. The multi-user breast pump shall be made available to the user within 24 hours of maternal hospital discharge.

Adds a new GL Chapter 10A, creating the Massachusetts Public Bank; requires the bank to provide a safe depository for a portion of the public funds in the Commonwealth and to support the economic well-being of the Commonwealth, its cities and towns, its residents, its businesses and its state and municipal institutions; defines duties of the bank, including creating access to affordable financing, enabling the commonwealth to obtain benefits from the federal reserve, financing economic activity, strengthening state-chartered banks, supporting public and quasi-public institutions, supporting small and medium size businesses, increasing affordable housing and more; regulates the operations, governance and powers and duties of the bank, including acceptance and use of deposits; guarantees deposits with the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth.

Amends various provisions on health insurance requiring that any health insurance policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance must provide coverage for treatment of vitiligo as a chronic autoimmune disease including, but not limited to, mental health treatment in connection with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a chronic, long-lasting autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigment or color. These provisions are to apply to Group Insurance (GL c.32A), Medicaid (GL c.118E), health insurance indemnity plans (GL c.175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL c.176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL c.176B), and Health Maintenance Organizations.

Amends provisions on Health Insurance Consumer Protections (GL Chapter 176O) to establish that a carrier must certify annually that, during the prior plan year, the carrier made available to the insured at least 80% of the estimated rebates received by such carrier by reducing the amount of cost sharing that it would otherwise charge at the point of sale except that the reduction amount shall not result in a credit at the point of sale. In addition, requires the Health Policy Commission, together with EOHHS, to conduct an analysis on the future of cell and gene therapy in the commonwealth with the objective of addressing anticipated barriers to access that may currently exist.

Establishes new general laws related to health insurance coverage (GL 175:230), non-profit hospital service corporations (GL 176A:38), medical service corporations (GL 176B:2) and health maintenance organizations (GL 176G:33) which ban nonmedical switching of covered prescription drugs for individuals who are medically stable on drugs that were previously covered and that were prescribed within the last six months; further prohibits changing maximum coverage of benefits, increased cost sharing, or moving the covered individual to a more restrictive tier; requires health care carriers, health plans, or utilizations review organizations to provide covered individuals with access to a clear and convenient process to request a coverage exemption determination, and to provide a response to exemption requests within 72 hours of receipt; further requires a 24 hour response in exigent circumstances. 

Adds section 243 to GL Chapter 111 to direct the Department of Public Health to establish universal postpartum home visiting programs and achieve statewide accessibility within six years of passage; orders the department to coordinate with health benefit plan insurers and medical providers as well as collect data on effectiveness of programs; mandates coverage of postpartum home visiting programs without any co-pays or deductibles for the commission’s group insurance, division’s health benefit plans, individual policies that provide hospital and surgical expenses, contracts between subscribers and corporations with hospital service plan coverage, and subscription certificates and health maintenance contracts under individual or group plans. 

Amends GL chapters concerning health insurance to require carriers to include reimbursement for interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency or those who are deaf or hard of hearing in their telehealth services and to offer offer digital health education to subscribers with low digital health literacy to assist them with accessing any medical necessary covered telehealth benefits; requires that uutilization review for telehealth services be made in the same manner as if the service was delivered in person; directs EOHHS and EOHCD to determine a method for the common application portal to also allow individuals to simultaneously apply to the affordable connectivity program administered by the federal communications commission.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, health insurers, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and preferred provider arrangements to provide coverage for wrap-around coordinated specialty care services for first episode psychosis treatment and assertive community treatment for early or ongoing treatment of person with a previous episode of psychosis who has a serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance; requires payment based on a bundled treatment model or payment, rather than fee for service payment for each separate service; prohibits using disability or functional impairment as a precondition for coverage; directs the division of insurance to convene a working group to determine relevant coding solutions; authorizes the group insurance commission, the division of insurance and the health connector to promulgate necessary regulations; requires an analysis of the impact of the coverage of the team-based treatment models after 5 years.

Amends various provisions of General Law by requiring health insurers to provide coverage for peer recovery coaches and recovery support navigators, regardless of the setting these services are provided in. Applies these requirements to GL c.32A (Group Insurance), 118E (Medicaid), 175 (Insurance), 176A (Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations), 176B (Medical Service Corporations), and 176G (Health Maintenance Organizations). Requires DOI to promulgate regulations to require carriers reimburse acute care hospitals and clinics licensed for the provision of behavioral health or substance use disorder services provided by peer support specialists, including telemedicine, electronic or telephonic consultation. Requires the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services within DPH to conduct a comprehensive report addressing barriers to certification, credentialing, and other employment and practice requirements of peer recovery specialists, including peer recovery coaches and recovery support navigators. The Bureau is also to establish a comprehensive peer support program to provide mentorship, technical assistance, and support resources for the wellbeing of peer support specialists.

Authorizes the Commissioner of Public Health to designate contagious and infectious diseases of heightened public health importance; prohibits insurance plans, health coverage, and medical assistance and medical benefit programs from charging cost sharing or requiring utilization review for any health care service for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease designated as a contagious or infectious disease of heightened public importance.

Adds a new Section 35I½ in GL Chapter 10, known as the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program Act, with both a savings fund and an administrative fund. In particular: Requires the savings fund to be administered and controlled by a seven person board; Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the board; Directs the board to ensure that the program focuses on participation, savings, sound investment practices, ease of use, efficient enrollment and portability; Regulates investment option under the program; Directs the board to evaluate different investment options and hire qualified parties, including investment managers, financial institutions and auditors, to run the program and fund; Requires the Board to distribute information about the program to eligible employers; Requires employers to establish a payroll system for employee contributions and to automatically enroll employees who do not opt out of the program; Regulates employee options for participation; Requires annual audited financial reports by the board; Imposes penalties on employers who fail to enroll employees in the program; and Details administrative requirements for implementation of the program. Please note that this should have been drafted to enact a new chapter in the General Laws, as it has 23 “sections” inside the new section that it enacts.

Adds a new section in GL c. 10 (Department of the State Treasurer) that establishes and regulates the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program Act, with both a savings fund and an administrative fund. In particular: Requires the savings fund to be administered and controlled by a seven person board; Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the board; Directs the board to ensure that the program focuses on participation, savings, sound investment practices, ease of use, efficient enrollment and portability; Regulates investment option under the program; Directs the board to evaluate different investment options and hire qualified parties, including investment managers, financial institutions and auditors, to run the program and fund; Requires the Board to distribute information about the program to eligible employers; Requires employers to establish a payroll system for employee contributions and to automatically enroll employees who do not opt out of the program; Regulates employee options for participation; Requires annual audited financial reports by the board; Imposes penalties on employers who fail to enroll employees in the program; and Details administrative requirements for implementation of the program. Please note that this substantive bill is substantially similar to but not identical to HB996.

Sets forth parallel provisions relative to transparency in the development of drug formularies in several chapters dealing with various kinds of health insurance; requires that every health insurance provider post the formulary for the health plan on the carrier's web site in a manner that is accessible and searchable by enrollees, potential enrollees, and providers; update the formulary within 24 hours of making changes; and include an enumerated set of information, especially information with respect to cost sharing and coinsurance; adds said provisions to GL Chapter 175 (Insurance), Chapter 176A (Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations), Chapter 176B (Medical Service Corporations), Chapter 176G (Health Maintenance Organizations), and Chapter 32A (Group Insurance Commission).NOTE: A drug formulary is a list of prescription drugs, both generic and brand name, used by practitioners to identify drugs that offer the greatest overall value, which is normally maintained by a committee of physicians, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, the division of medical assistance, health insurance companies, non-profit hospital service corporations, and medical service corporations to provide coverage for medically necessary expenses of diagnosis and treatment of infertility; prohibits policies issued by said entities from requiring a patient to take a medication or undergo a procedure prior to or instead of the medication or procedure recommended by the patient’s physician.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees and health maintenance contracts to provide covered children of the insured with coverage for the cost of one hearing aid per hearing-impaired ear up to $2,000 for each hearing aid.

No summary available.

Adds new sections to GL Chapter 32A regulating health insurance for public employees, GL Chapter 175 regulating health insurance, GL Chapter 176A regulating non-profit hospital service corporations, and GL Chapter 176G regulating health maintenance organizations, to provide coverage for treatment related to or resulting from acquired brain injuries; defines acquired brain injuries as those occurring after birth from various causes, including disease, toxins or traumatic brain injury; prohibits imposing lifetime limits or unreasonable annual limits on the coverage; requires companies to provide training to employees responsible for preauthorization of services or utilization reviews about this coverage.

Amends provisions of GL 26:8G relative to the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board by eliminating the Board, and moving the functions of the Board to the Commissioner of Insurance. Makes some other small adjustments, such as lengthening from 2 to 5 days the amount of time in which an appraiser can make the initial appraisal, by permitting the use of photographs, videos, telephone calls, or other electronic measures in certain appraisals, by permitting the Commissioner to issue a temporary auto damage appraiser licenses to individuals that hold an equivalent license in another state or have worked as an auto damage appraiser in a state that does not require an equivalent license for a period of 90 days, and so forth.

Amends multiple General Laws to prohibit health insurance carriers from declining to provide coverage for medical, behavioral or health care services solely on the basis that those services were delivered by a health care provider participating in a mobile integrated health care program approved by the department of public health; requires that medical, behavioral or health care services delivered by way of an approved mobile integrated health care program shall be covered to the same extent as if they were provided in a health care facility and the rates of payments for otherwise covered services shall not be reduced on the grounds that those services were delivered by a provider participating in such a program; further require that deductibles, copayments and coinsurance may not exceed the payments applicable to delivery of the same services within a health care facility. 

Amends GL 26:8G relative to the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board to require appraisers, when they determine that a car has been damaged sufficiently that it may no longer meet required safety or emissions standards, to provide notice to the owner that the vehicle no longer meets such safety or emissions standards. The notice will direct the owner to have the vehicle repaired so that it may pass the safety and emissions standards and to obtain a new certificate of inspection; existing law requires the appraiser to remove the certificate of inspection and prohibits reissuance of a certificate until the car has been repaired sufficient to pass inspection.

Amends GL 151A:6 to exempt certain services performed by a nonresident alien from the unemployment insurance law; amends GL Chapter 175M (Family and Medical Leave) to exclude certain services performed by nonresident aliens from coverage under the statute for the period the nonresident is present in the United States.

Amends several different provisions of General Law regulating insurance coverage to require that coverage be provided for enteral formula for home use, whether administered orally or via tube feeding, for which a physician has issued a written order. The order must state that the enteral formula is clearly medically necessary and has been proved effective as a disease-specific treatment regimen for those individuals who are or will become malnourished or suffer from disorders, which if left untreated, cause chronic physical or intellectual disability or death. The insurance programs to which these requirements will apply include indemnity plans, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and coverage provided through the Group Insurance Commission.

Requires the public employees contributory health insurance system, health insurers, non-profit hospital insurance corporations, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening for insureds starting at age 45; details particular test coverage according to age and medical necessity; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a special commission charged with determining the prevalence of colon cancer in the commonwealth for those both under and over the age of 50; requires the commission to provide recommendations to address unmet needs of individuals with colon cancer under the age of 50, including diagnosis and early detection.

Requires the contributory group health insurance program for public employees, health insurance policies, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for preventative, ongoing chronic maintenance and acute treatment physical therapy for Ehler Danlos Syndrome patients.

Amends multiple General Laws to require health insurance carriers to provide coverage for hearing aids and related services; specifies said services and caps on coverage.

Adds a new Section 101B to GL Chapter 41, which entitles any permanent, full-time, call, volunteer, intermittent, part-time or reserve firefighter to an initial lung cancer screening or subsequent lung cancer screening or evaluation upon the referral of their primary care physician; requires coverage of the screenings or evaluations by the contributory group health insurance program for public employees, health insurance policies, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations.

Amends chapters of GL concerning health insurance to require insurance carriers to provide coverage for the provision of pasteurized donor human milk and donor human milk-derived products; sets out scope of coverage required.  

Amends sections of GL 167I (Bank mergers and acquisitions) and GL 171 (Credit unions) to permit 1 or more mutual banks or subsidiary banking institutions and any 1 or more credit unions to merge or consolidate into a single credit union, and also to permit 1 or more credit unions to merge or consolidate with 1 or more savings banks, co-operative banks or subsidiary banking institutions; sets out rules and procedures for such mergers or consolidations.

Amends chapters of GL pertaining to health insurance to prohibit carriers from rejecting a letter from a health care provider, including, but not limited to a qualified mental health care professional, affirming the medical necessity of gender affirming care for a person for the purposes of accessing gender-affirming health care; defines “qualified mental health care professional” as a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

Amends multiple General Laws to require health insurance plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of Alfi's syndrome.

Requires contributory group insurance coverage for public employees (GL Chapter 32A), health insurance (GL Chapter 175), non-profit hospital service corporations (GL Chapter 176A), medical service corporations (GL Chapter 176B), health maintenance organizations (GL Chapter 176G) and preferred provider arrangements (GL Chapter 176I), to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services when the enrollee has a diagnosed medical or genetic condition that may directly or indirectly cause impairment of fertility by affecting reproductive organs or processes; requires such coverage to include procurement, cryopreservation, and storage of gametes, embryos or other reproductive tissue.

Amends several sections of the General Laws to require health insurers to provide coverage or reimbursement for medically necessary treatment for chemical dependency — including alcoholism and related mental health conditions — at the same level as for other medical conditions.   

Amends various chapters of the GL pertaining to health insurance to require health insurers that provide coverage for screening mammograms to provide the same coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer, such as diagnostic mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging or breast ultrasound or other medically necessary and appropriate examinations for breast cancer to evaluate the abnormality in the breast that is seen or suspected from a screening examination for breast cancer, detected by another means of examination, or suspected based on the medical history or family medical history of the individual.

Amends certain provisions of law relative to health insurance to establish that any prior authorization for nonemergency ambulance and wheelchair van transportation to inpatient and outpatient dialysis treatment, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, and inpatient and outpatient post-acute care, shall be valid for a minimum of 3 business days. These provisions are to apply to Group Insurance (GL c.32A), Medicaid (GL c.118E), Health Insurance Indemnity Plans (GL c.175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL c.176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL c.176B), and Health Maintenance Organizations (GL c.176G). In addition, the Health Policy Commission, in collaboration with CHIA, is to study the adequacy of reimbursement rates of MassHealth and commercial carriers for nonemergency medical transportation.

Provides that, in addition to any qualifying event under federal law, rule or regulation that makes one eligible for a special enrollment period for enrollment in a qualified health plan in the state health insurance exchange, the exchange shall allow for the enrollment of a pregnant individual within 30 days following the commencement of the pregnancy; provided however, that the pregnancy is certified by a licensed health care provider; further provides that, upon such enrollment, any qualified health plan in the state health insurance exchange shall ensure that coverage is effective on the first day of the month in which said certification is received.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, the division of medical assistance, health insurers, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the appropriate weight-based dosage of epinephrine injectors; bans subjecting such benefits to any greater deductible, coinsurance, copayments or out-of-pocket limits than any other benefit covered.

Adds a new Section 12D½ to GL Chapter 112 authoring pharmacists to dispense up a 30 day supply of insulin, or a greater amount if the standard unit of dispensing exceeds that, in emergency situations; limits pharmacists to doing so only once per customer each 12 months; requires the contributory group general or blanket health insurance for public employees and retirees (GL 32A:17G), the division of medical assistance (GL 118E:10C), health insurance companies (GL 175:47N), non-profit hospital service corporations (GL 176A:8P), medical service corporations (GL 176B:4S), and health maintenance organizations (GL 176G:4H), to provide coverage for insulin dispensed in an emergency situation.

Amends GL 200A:12 (disposition of unclaimed property) by exempting the identity of persons subject to audit to ensure legal compliance, from disclosure under the public records laws; applies confidentiality to all records of any taxpayer disclosed to the treasurer.

Amends several General Laws to establish that health insurance policies must provide benefits on a nondiscriminatory basis for any other prosthesis, coverage for expenses for facial medical pigmentation or scalp hair prostheses worn for hair loss (suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer or leukemia or alopecia). Coverage is to be subject to a written statement by the treating physician that the facial medical pigmentation or scalp hair prosthesis is medically necessary; such coverage is to be subject to the same limitations and guidelines as other prostheses. These provisions apply in parallel to the Group Insurance Commission (GL Chapter 32A), Indemnity Plans (GL Chapter 175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176B), and Health Maintenance Organizations (GL Chapter 176G), but not to Medicaid (GL Chapter 118E).  

Amends health insurance chapters of General Laws to require insurance carriers to provide coverage for provide coverage for biennial echocardiogram and concussion analysis for persons between the ages of five and eighteen.

Requires contributory group insurance coverage for public employees (GL Chapter 32A), the Division of Medical Assistance (GL Chapter 118E), health insurance (GL Chapter 175), non-profit hospital service corporations (GL Chapter 176A), medical service corporations (GL Chapter 176B), and health maintenance organizations (GL Chapter 176G) to provide coverage for medically necessary mental health acute treatment for up to 14 days, without requiring a preauthorization prior to obtaining treatment; requires coverage of medically necessary community based acute treatment services for up to 21  days, and medically necessary intensive community based acute treatment services for up to 14 days.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, the division of medical assistance, health insurance companies, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for services rendered by a certified nurse-midwife designated to engage in the practice of nurse-midwifery, at reimbursements paid to a licensed physician for such services.

Amends various provisions of health insurance relative to coverage for health care services delivered via telehealth to change the requirement that carriers cover substance abuse disorders to have them cover both substance use disorders and care and services provided by a licensed dietitian or nutritionist. These new provisions are to apply to Group Insurance (GL c.32A), Medicaid (GL c.118E), health insurance indemnity plans (GL c.175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL c.176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL c.176B), Health Maintenance Organizations (GL c.176G), and Preferred Provider Arrangements (GL c.176I).

Amends health insurance chapters of GL to provide that the rate of payment for in-network providers of behavioral health services and in-network providers of nutrition counseling delivered via interactive audio-video technology and audio-only telephone shall be no less than the rate of payment for the same service delivered via in-person methods; defines "nutrition counseling" as "care and services, including, but not limited to, medical nutrition therapy, provided by a dietitian/nutritionist licensed by the board of registration of dietitians and nutritionists pursuant to sections 201 to 210, inclusive, of chapter 112 of the General Laws."

Amends health insurance chapters of GL to provide that biomarker testing must be covered for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of an enrollee’s disease or condition when the test is supported by medical and scientific evidence,

Amends SES 2007:206 (which is also GL 255F:6: Licensing of mortgage loan originators) to eliminate continuing education requirements for mortgage loan originators and to reduce annual licensing fee for corporations licensed in Massachusetts from $500 to $300.

This highly technical bill makes various changes to the banking laws in the commonwealth, including those related to supervision of banks, electronic branches and fund transfers, bank locations, mortgages and loans, mutual holding companies, corporate bank transactions, mergers, consolidations and purchase of assets and conversions, corporate governance, and savings banks; in particular, this bill changes references to cooperative banks in stock form, savings banks in stock form, and modifies language referring to banks and banking to financial services; the bill additionally modifies the process for corporate bank mergers and consolidations.  

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees (GL Chapter 32A), the Division of Medical Assistance (GL Chapter 118E), health insurance policies (GL Chapter 175), non-profit hospital service corporations (GL Chapter 176A), medical service corporations (GL Chapter 176B), and health maintenance organizations (GL Chapter 176G) to provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services. 

Requires various kinds of health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary functional repair or restoration of craniofacial disorders, with the exception of coverage for cleft lip and cleft palate which is prescribed elsewhere in the General Laws. Coverage is not include cosmetic surgery or for dental or orthodontic treatment unrelated to congenital defects, developmental deformities, trauma, tumors, infections or disease; the benefits in this section will not be subject to any greater deductible, coinsurance, copayments or out-of-pocket limits than any other benefit provided by the commission. These requirements are enacted in parallel, and includes the Group Insurance Commission (GL Chapter 32A), Medicaid (GL Chapter 118E), Indemnity Plans (GL Chapter 175), Non-Profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL Chapter 176B) Health Maintenance Organizations (GL Chapter 176G), and Preferred Provider Plans (GL Chapter 176I).

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, the division of medical assistance, health insurance companies, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for dental procedures related to covered medical conditions.

Establishes health insurance consumer protections banning health insurance carriers from making contracts with health care providers that include language allowing termination without cause or unilateral changes to contract terms; additionally bans the division of medical assistance and the contributory public employee health insurance system from entering into contracts with health care providers or health insurance carriers that include language allowing termination without cause or unilateral changes to contract terms; requires any changes to contract terms to follow 90 days notice to a health care provider during which the provider can submit notice of termination or non-renewal. 

Adds new GL chapter 150F allowing workers workers in the digital transportation marketplace to combine into transportation network driver organizations and to negotiate on an industry-wide basis with companies in this industry and sets out respective rights and duties of drivers and companies; establishes Transportation Driver Injury Compensation Fund to compensate drivers for workplace injuries; amends laws governing minimum wage, enforcement of wage and hour protections, earned sick time, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation and anti-discrimination policies to add drivers as protected persons.

Amends health insurance chapters of GL to mandate that health insurance carriers that provide medical expense coverage for screening mammograms shall provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer and for digital breast tomosynthesis screening on a basis not less favorable than screening mammograms that are covered as medical benefits.

Amends provisions with respect to both the regional Mortgage Review Boards and the Small Business Loan Review Boards, as found in GL 167:14A and 167:14C. In particular, with respect to the Mortgage Review Boards: The four Mortgage Review Boards are reduced to two;  The requirements for who gets to sit on the Boards are amended; Strikes the limitation that no member gets to sit for more then 3 two-year terms; Adds a definition of “residential mortgage loan denial.” With respect to the Small Business Loan Review Boards: The four regional Small Business Loan Review Boards are consolidated into one Board; The requirements for who gets to sit on the Board are amended; Strikes the limitation that no member gets to sit for more then 3 two-year terms; Adds a definition of “small business loan.” In addition, the bill makes a number of grammatical corrections to both sections.

Establishes uniform confidentiality and enforcement provisions relative to certain licensees under the jurisdiction of the Division of Banks, including check cashers & money order agents, institutions engaging in foreign deposit transmissions, insurance premium finance agencies, mortgage lenders, institutions engaging in motor vehicle installment sales or retail installment sales and services, institutions engaging in small loans business, and third party loan servicers. For all of these kinds of institutions the bill enacts relatively parallel provisions, to establish, for example, that each day that a license violation occurs or continues will be deemed to be a separate offense; That the Commissioner of Banks has the power to investigate complaints, but that the Commissioner will be required to preserve a full record of each examination of a licensee, including a statement of its condition; That records of investigations and reports of examinations are to be confidential and privileged communications, not subject to subpoena, and not designated a public record; That the Commissioner has the power to issue summons as part of an investigation; That the refusal to appear, without justifiable cause, to cooperate with a summons may subject a person to a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 or by imprisonment for up to year; That the Commissioner of Banks to issue a cease and desist order when he or she concludes, after a hearing, that a licensee has engaged in or is about to engage in an unlawful act or practice; That the Commissioner is to suspend or revoke a license if the Commissioner finds violations of law or finds that any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for the license, would have warranted the Commissioner in refusing to issue the license; That no revocation, suspension or surrender of a license will impair the obligation of any pre-existing lawful contract. Also strikes certain parallel provisions, including those that require that a copy of a license be prominently displayed in the place of business; That a license is only valid for one year; That a license may not be transferred or assigned; That certain financial institutions must deposit a surety bond, cash or securities of $100,000 with the State Treasurer. Clarifies that certain types of financial institutions, such as a sales finance company, also includes a national banking association, federal savings bank, federal savings and loan association, federal credit union, or any bank, trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union organized under the laws of any other state of the United States, or any subsidiary of the above.

This voluminous 48 page bill strikes out the entirety of GL c.169 (Receipts of Deposits for Transmittal to Foreign Countries) and replaces it with an entirely new Chapter 169B (The Money Transmission Act). This new act appears to harmonize the rules on money transfers with federal rules and the rules in other states and jurisdictions. The Act defines many new terms, like “acting in concert,” “authorized delegate,” “average daily money transmission liability,” and so forth. In particular, the bill: Establishes that a person may not engage in the business of money transmission or advertise, solicit, or hold itself out as providing money transmission unless the person is licensed under this chapter, and sets forth the various licensing requirements for doing business under the chapter; Sets forth a number of exceptions to where the Act does not apply, such as payments system operators, entities appointed as agents of payees, intermediaries processing payments, and more; Details the authority of the Commissioner of Banks to administer, interpret, and enforce the chapter, to enter into agreements, use analytical systems, accept reports, and impose fees; It also outlines the confidentiality of certain information and records, with some exceptions; Authorizes the commissioner to participate in multistate supervisory processes, cooperate with other regulators, and share information; The Commissioner is authorized to implement licensing provisions consistently with other states and may participate in nationwide protocols for licensing cooperation; Authorizes the Commissioner to establish relationships with entities like NMLS for record-keeping, coordination, processing fees, and communication; Establishes that persons seeking to acquire control of a licensee must file a notice with the Commissioner; who is authorized to investigate acquisitions of control to ensure they meet requirements; Establishes that licensees must maintain a tangible net worth that is the greater of $100,000 or a percentage of their total assets, with the required percentages vary based on the total assets held: 3% of total assets for the first $100 million; 2% of additional assets for $100 million to $1 billion; 0.5% of additional assets for over $1 billion; Establishes that applicants for a money transmission license and licensees must maintain a security bond, and that the amount of the bond is determined based on a formula that considers the licensee's average daily money transmission liability; Lists various permissible investments, including cash, certificates of deposit, U.S. obligations, standby letters of credit, and more; Establishes various other requirements related to banking and money transfers.

Adds a new Chapter 93L, establishing a comprehensive framework for the collection of consumer debt, known as the Debt Collection Fairness Act; establishes formula ensuring protection of wages in collection efforts; exempts weekly wages that are less than ninety times the federal or state minimum wage from garnishment or attachment; in cases where weekly wages are more than such amount, prohibits collection of more than 10% of the excess under attachment or garnishment; requires prioritization of attachments in the order they are received; exempts attachments under orders for divorce, maintenance or child support from the limitations; prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against employees with garnishment orders; requires consumer debt collection efforts to begin within 4 years; requires use of a shorter statute of limitation for consumer debt collections when available in another jurisdiction; does not allow payments made to extend the statute of limitations; permits repayment agreements which are legally binding; regulates calculation of interest on successful consumer debt collection efforts; prohibits collection of costs and legal fees in excess of 15% of the amount of the debt; defines violations of laws pertaining to collection of consumer debt as unfair business practices; regulates the application of statutes of limitations to debts that accrued before January 1, 2021.

Amends various provisions of health insurance law to establish that any individual or group policy of accident and sickness insurance which provides hospital expense and surgical expense insurance which is issued or renewed must provide benefits on a nondiscriminatory basis for medically necessary behavioral health bundled services delivered through community behavioral health centers.  These provisions apply in parallel to Group Insurance (GL c.32A), Medicaid (GL c.118E), health insurance indemnity plans (GL c.175), Non-profit Hospital Service Corporations (GL c.176A), Medical Service Corporations (GL c.176B), and Health Maintenance Organizations (GL c.176G).

Establishes a new GL 176E (Dental Service Corporations) requiring dental benefit plans to pay an uncontracted dental care provider directly, if certain contingencies are met; prohibits a reduction of benefits more than 5% of the usual and customary rates paid to participating dentists; defines dental benefit plans as any stand-alone dental plan that covers oral surgical care, services, procedures or benefits covered by any individual, general, blanket accident and sickness insurance.

Adds a new Section 115 to GL Chapter 93 (regulation of trade and enterprises), directing the attorney general to create and mandate the use of a standard disclosure form for real estate sales; requires the form to disclose all relevant and material information known to a real estate broker, real estate salesman or seller, about the property, including information on, but not limited to the roof, foundation, and other structural components, appliances, electrical, water, sewer, heating, and other mechanical systems, trees and natural hazards (earthquakes, flooding, hurricanes), environmental hazards, such as lead, asbestos, mold, radon, or contamination by use as a meth lab, and zoning.

Regulates coverage of examinations for detection of and treatment of breast cancer; requires health insurers, non-profit hospital service corporations, and medical service corporations to provide coverage for a baseline mammogram, which may include tomosynthesis, for women between the ages of thirty-five and forty and for a mammogram on an annual basis, which may include tomosynthesis, for women forty years of age or older; additionally requires coverage of such exams for women under forty with a family history of breast cancer or other breast cancer risk factors; further requires coverage of ultrasound evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging scan or additional mammography testing, where prior exams show any abnormality if additional examination is deemed medically necessary, if the patient has additional risk factors for breast cancer including, but not limited to, family history, prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue, a prior history of breast cancer or insufficient tissue; exempts such coverage from any co-payment, co-insurance, deductible or dollar limit provisions in a policy or contract.Repeals gender identifiers for coverage of breast cancer treatments; further requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, health insurers, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for mastectomies and 48 hours of in-patient post-surgical care. (NOTE: the contributory health insurance system for public employees (GL 32A) and health maintenance organizations (GL 176G), are not included in mandatory coverage for examinations, but are included for coverage of mastectomies and in-patient post-surgical care.)

Amends various provisions of the General Laws to provide that any health insurance policy that covers infantile cataract surgery must also cover aphakic lenses for treatment and rehabilitation as well as provide benefits for prosthetic contact lenses or glasses, as medically required.

Amends several General Laws to prohibit health insurance carriers from imposing deductibles on screening colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies or mammograms; further prohibits carriers from imposing coinsurance, copayments or other out-of-pocket expenses for any additional such procedures ordered in a policy year by a physician for an insured.

Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of  special commission on acupuncture and wellness within the department of public health; amends various general laws to require health insurance policies (GL Chapter 175), nonprofit hospital service corporations (GL Chapter 176A), medical service corporations (GL Chapter 176B), health maintenance organizations (GL Chapter 176G) and the contributory health insurance system for public employees (GL Chapter 32A) to provide coverage for acupuncture and oriental medicine based diagnosis and treatment in the areas of pain management, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse treatment and nausea; prohibits health benefits providers from differentiating reimbursement rates for acupuncture services by provider type; limits acupuncture services reimbursement to licensed acupuncturists or medical doctors.

No summary available.

Establishes a new GL 176E (Dental Service Corporations) requiring dental benefit plans to pay an uncontracted dental care provider directly, if certain contingencies are met; prohibits a reduction of benefits more than 5% of the usual and customary rates paid to participating dentists; defines dental benefit plans as any stand-alone dental plan that covers oral surgical care, services, procedures or benefits covered by any individual, general, blanket accident and sickness insurance.

Amends GL 176J:11 (Reduced or selective network plans, tiered network plans, and smart tiering plans in Small Group Health Insurance) by adding provisions that the Commissioner of Insurance may exempt carriers from complying with the section based on (i) whether the majority of a carrier’s small group membership is enrolled in a single rate region; or (ii) whether the majority of the carrier’s small group membership is enrolled in coverage where such members receive state or federal subsidies; or (iii) whether the carrier receives 80% or more of its income from government programs through which such members receive state or federal subsidies. Further amends GL 176O:9A (Agreements or contracts between carrier and health care provider prohibited if containing certain provisions in the chapter on Health Insurance Consumer Protections) by striking provisions which currently require a provider to participate in a new select network or tiered network plan that the carrier introduces (without granting the provider the right to opt-out of the new plan at least 60 days before the new plan is submitted to the Commissioner for approval).  

Amends health insurance chapters of GL to provide that pregnancy coverage shall not be subject to any deductible, coinsurance, copayment or any other cost-sharing requirement; provided, however, that deductibles, coinsurance or copayments shall be required if the applicable plan is governed by the federal Internal Revenue Code and would lose its tax-exempt status as a result of the prohibition on deductibles, coinsurance or copayments for these services, and that coverage offered under this section shall not impose unreasonable restrictions or delays in the coverage; sets effective date of 6 months from effective date of act.

Amends GL 118E (MassHealth) to require that MassHealth and its contracted health insurers provide coverage for voluntary female sterilization even in the event that an individual covered by a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan has not fulfilled the federally required 30-day waiting period provided that the individual has completed Decision Counseling and signed an informed written consent.

Provides that doula services (defined as physical, emotional, and informational support, but not medical care, provided by trained doulas to individuals and families during and after pregnancy, labor, childbirth, miscarriage, stillbirth or pregnancy loss) are covered under the health insurance chapters of the General Laws; establishes the Doula Workforce Training Fund for the development and expansion of comprehensive doula training including the development of doula training focused on meeting the needs of MassHealth members.

Amends multiple General Laws governing health insurance carriers to require that reimbursement of costs for medically appropriate evaluation and management services in outpatient settings be part of a basic benefits package offered by the insurer or a third party and shall not require a deductible; provides further that deductibles shall be required if the plan is governed by the Federal Internal Revenue Code and would lose its tax-exempt status as a result of such a prohibition.

Amends multiple GLs to include, in the definition of acute treatment services, any medically necessary services provided to individuals who have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorder and who are receiving treatment in a facility licensed or certified by the Department of Mental Health of Department of Public Health.

Amends GL 59:5 to add a property tax exemption of up to 100% of the assessed value of real estate in agricultural and/or horticultural use, so long as the real estate (or portion there of) used for agricultural and/or horticultural is less than 2 acres in area; provides that any portion of land not used for agricultural and/or horticultural purposes may not be claimed under this exemption; limits eligibility to taxpayers living in a municipality with a population of 50,000 or more or which meets the definition of a gateway municipality and only if such municipality accepts this provision at local option; and provides that municipalities that accept this provision may thereafter modify the percentage of the assessed value exempt from taxation.

In general,  requires the use of scientifically based utilization review criteria with respect to various kinds of health insurance plans. In particular: Amends GL 15A:18 relative to qualifying student health insurance programs to require any qualifying student health insurance plan must adopt utilization review criteria, to the maximum extent feasible, scientifically derived and evidence-based, and developed with the input of participating physicians; Adds a new section to GL c.26 (Department of Banking and Insurance) to require all carriers licensed under chapters 175, 176A, 176B and 176G that provide medical or prescription drug benefits subject to utilization review to provide an annual report listing all admission, items, services, treatments, procedures, and medications that require prior authorization and related data; Adds a new section to GL c.32A (Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of the Commonwealth) to require GIC to adopt utilization review criteria, which to the maximum extent feasible, are to be scientifically derived and evidence-based, and developed with the input of participating physicians; Adds provisions to GL c.175 (Insurance) that require a carrier to pay for health care services ordered by the treating health care provider if: (1) the services are a covered benefit under the insured’s health benefit plan; and (2) the services follow the carrier’s clinical review criteria; provided, however, that a claim for treatment of medically necessary services may not be denied if the treating health care provider follows the carrier’s approved method for securing authorization for a covered service for the insured at the time the service was provided; Adds provisions to GL 176O (Health Insurance Consumer Protections) to require carriers to adopt utilization review criteria, which to the maximum extent feasible, are to be scientifically derived and evidence-based, and developed with the input of participating physicians;  requires a carrier to accept and respond to utilization review requests made through secure electronic transmissions, using the mandated standards for prior authorization adopted under the federal HIPAA act; Requires a carrier to adopt and implement an HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Application Programming Interface; and Makes other administrative changes to GL 176O.

Amends health insurance chapters of the GL (32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, 176I, 176Q) to define and regulate specialty pharmacies; prohibits insurers from requiring a specialty pharmacy to dispense a medication directly to a patient with the intention that the patient will transport the medication to a healthcare provider for administration; imposes restrictions on how insurers may require the distribution of patient-specific medication from a specialty pharmacy to a physician’s office.

Requires the contributory health insurance system for public employees, health insurance companies, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations and small group health insurance plans to provide coverage for dependents of insureds diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

Establishes the Maternal Health Justice Fund to support doula workforce expansion efforts; directs the Department of Public Health to department to publish the list of eligible doula certification programs and instructions for how to apply for scholarship monies publicly on its website.

Establishes that any health insurance coverage must provide coverage for prescribed or dispensed opioid antagonists (medications that block the effects of opioids, including naloxone and naltrexone), and that these are to be deemed “medically necessary,” that they will not require prior authorization, and that they will not be subject to deductible, coinsurance, copayments or out-of-pocket limits. These provisions are to apply to insurance coverage offered through group insurance, Medicaid, indemnity plans, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations. Further requires that upon discharge of a patient from a substance use disorder treatment facility, or acute care hospital or satellite emergency facility when the patient has a history of actively using opioids, diagnosed with opioid use disorder or who experienced an opioid-related overdose, the facility doctor is to prescribe and dispense no less than 2 doses of an opioid antagonist to the patient or a legal guardian. The Division of Insurance is to promulgate appropriate regulations.

Adds new Section 79 to GL Chapter 10 establishing a Baby Bonds Trust fund administered by the Treasurer to support beneficiaries in pursuing education, housing, or entrepreneurship; sets out eligibility criteria to include individuals born on or after July 1, 2024, and who received assistance under TAFDC or who have been in the care or custody of DCF within the first year of their life; establishes a Baby Bonds Trust Fund Advisory Board and a Massachusetts Baby Bonds Community Advisory Committee to assist in the management of the program; allows beneficiaries to claim their distribution from the fund after turning 18, provided that said distribution will be applied towards an eligible expenditure.

Adds new provisions to the chapter on labor practices to establish that “application based” transportation workers — i.e., those who use an application to get work assignments — are presumptively employees, consistent with GL 149:148B, which defines the distinction between contractors and employees. This would apply to “transportation network” companies like Uber and Lyft, and also to “delivery network” companies like Doordash or Uber Eats. In particular: Establishes that the minimum hourly wage for drivers is to be equal to the basic minimum wage for all working time. If the driver has the discretion to log on and off of the platform at dates, times of day and hours of their choosing, then the minimum applicable hourly wage shall be a minimum hourly wage rate of 150% of the basic minimum wage for all assigned time. The rate established is to ensure that on average, drivers earn compensation for the first 40 hours of working time in each 7-day week equal to not less than the basic minimum wage, including all standby time; Establishes that the mileage reimbursement standard for application-based transportation workers utilizing their own vehicles is to be the standard mileage rate established by the federal Internal Revenue Service for all miles driven during an application-based transportation worker’s working time or 150% of the standard mileage rate for all miles driven during assigned time; Establishes that transportation network companies and delivery network companies must provide accidental liability coverage to each application-based transportation worker during their working time of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in aggregate; Establishes that transportation network companies and delivery network companies may be subject to municipal regulation; Amends portions of GL Chapter 159A½ relative to Network Transportation companies, to make the provisions there applicable to Delivery Network companies as well; and, Strikes out provisions prohibiting the taxation of transportation network companies by entities other than Massachusetts Port Authority, and provisions relative to pick-up fees.

Amends several statutes to require health, accident and sickness insurance contracts to cover the medically necessary treatment for disease, illness, injury or bodily dysfunction which are required by a student's individual education program, individualized family service plan, individual service plan or the federal individuals with disabilities education improvement act.

Amends multiple General Laws to prohibit a health insurance carrier from denying payment for any health care service covered under an enrollee’s health plan based solely on the basis that the enrollee’s referral was made by a provider who is not a member of the carrier’s provider network; amends GL 94C:9 (Controlled substances) to strike language limiting the authority of a nurse to dispense controlled substances; amends GL 94C:19 (Controlled substances) to add practitioners who dispense controlled substances as persons with responsibility for the proper prescribing and dispensing of controlled substances. 

Makes a number of amendments and additions to existing law to enhance detection of and treatment of sickle cell disease (an inherited blood disorder marked by defective hemoglobin, often found in minority populations). In particular:   Defines terms like “iatrogenic infertility” (which is medically induced infertility, when a person becomes infertile due to a medical procedure done to treat another problem, most often chemotherapy or radiation for cancer) and outlines coverage criteria based on evidence-based standards of care.  Directs the Division of Medical Assistance to apply for a Medicaid waiver to implement coverage for fertility preservation services before January 1, 2024, subject to approval;  Mandates that health insurance policies subject to specific chapters must cover medically necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation services when medical treatment may cause iatrogenic infertility;  Prohibits discrimination in health insurance coverage based on various factors, including age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status;   Establishes a Statewide Steering Committee on Sickle Cell Disease within DPH, and requires the committee to study and make recommendations on enhancing access to services, establishing a sickle cell disease registry, coordinating healthcare services for pediatric to adult transitions, and engaging with communities through outreach and education;  Directs DPH to provide certain information on the sickle cell trait to individuals and families, including its health impacts, mode of transmission, and implications for pregnancy;   Establishes a program within DPH to promote screening and detection of sickle cell disease, especially among underserved populations;  Includes a statewide education and outreach campaign, grants to approved organizations for screening services, data compilation, and healthcare professional education programs;  Establishes a system for reporting information on sickle cell disease and its variants, including a central registry;  Mandates reporting of certain information by healthcare facilities, laboratories, and healthcare providers; Requires notification and counseling for parents when sickle cell trait is detected in newborn screening;  Establishes a central registry for sickle cell trait patients, with follow-up consultations recommended at specific intervals;  Requires the implementation of a sickle cell disease quality strategy, including measurable goals, provider network capacity, care coordination, provider training, and exceptions to prior authorization for pain medications;  Requires an annual sickle cell disease management and accountability report to legislative committees.  

Amends GL 12C:15 (Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction) by expanding the definition of adverse events to cover harm rather than injury; defines a healthcare associated infection as one acquired during the course of treatment for another condition in a healthcare setting; specifically defines patient safety information as that related to patient safety, including adverse events, incidents, medical errors, or healthcare-associated infections; allows the Betsy Lehman center and any agency that collects patient safety information to transmit it to each other under a specific interagency agreement; requires the agreement to protect the privacy and security of the information and to conform with federal law; directs the center to adopt rules and regulations related to patient safety and medical error reduction programs, and the collection of patient safety information. 

Amends GL 111:51G relative to the licensing of acute care hospitals; requires hospitals to provide at least one year's notice to the Department of Public Health of a proposed closure or discontinuation of service and at least 30 days notice of the proposed closure or discontinuance of an essential health service; requires hospitals to inform its patient and family council, each staff member, every labor organization that represents the hospital's workforce, the members of the General Court who represent the district in which the hospital is located, as well as certain local officials; additionally requires the hospital to notify DPH of any community engagement and planning which has already occurred; requires initial notice to include evidence of support or non-opposition to the proposed change from each municipality to which it provides the service as a health care resource, directs DPH to determine whether any such discontinued services are necessary for preserving access and health status in the hospital's service area, in which case the hospital must submit a service plan to DPH; instructs the Attorney General is to seek an injunction in cases where hospital executes a plan to discontinue an essential health service without DPH approval. 

Amends GL Chapter 6D, relative to the operation of the Health Policy Commission; allows the commission to assess increased expenses related to growth in pharmaceutical or biomedical products to pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and pharmacy benefit managers; exempts pharmacy benefit managers that are surcharge payors from the additional assessment. Amends the list of mandatory witnesses in public hearings held by the HPC; requires inclusion of at least 2 pharmacy benefit managers and 3 representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies; requires 1 of the pharmaceutical manufacturing company representatives to be from a publicly traded drug manufacturer, 1 from a generic drug manufacturing and 1 from a company in existence for fewer than 10 years; additionally requires the assistant secretary for MassHealth as a witness; requires witnesses before the HPC to provide testimony on factors that affect prescription drug costs and price increases, the impact of manufacturer rebates, discounts and other price concessions on net pricing, the availability of alternative drugs or treatments and any other relevant matters. Additionally directs the HPC to establish an evidence-based outreach and education program to support the therapeutic and cost-effective utilization of prescription drugs, to reduce complications related to inappropriate drug prescribing and to inform prescribers and dispensers of prescription drugs about drug marketing intended to circumvent competition from generic or other therapeutically-equivalent alternatives or treatment options; authorizes the commission to contract with a third party to conduct a an annual study of pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical companies with pipeline drugs, generic drugs or biosimilar drugs that may have a significant impact on state health care expenditures. Directs the HPC to collect information from manufacturers on the pricing of drugs for which the executive office of health and human services is unable to negotiate a supplemental rebates; establishes review procedures for drugs determined to have prices that are potentially unreasonable or excessive; imposes penalties on manufacturers who fail to comply with requests for information or who provide false or misleading information. Directs the attorney general to monitor health care market trends, including, trends in provider organization size and composition, consolidation in the provider market, payer contracting trends, patient access and quality issues in the health care market and prescription drug cost trends; allows the attorney general to obtain information from health care market participants; charges the attorney general with investigating whether market participants are engaged in unfair methods of competition or anticompetitive behavior, and to take action as necessary. Instructs the Center for Health Information and Analysis, under GL Chapter 12C, to develop a list of up to ten outpatient prescription drugs that account for a significant share of state health care spending; requires the list to include outpatient prescription drugs from different therapeutic classes; limits the list to three outpatient prescription drug and to those with a cost increase of at least 25 percent during the prior calendar year; requires the manufacturers of drugs on the list to provide CHIA with the listed information including factors resulting in the price increase. Additionally requires CHIA to establish regulations that ensure uniform analysis of information on pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and pharmacy benefit managers, including year to year and net changes in costs, expenditures and profits, as defined, and the timely reporting of required information by payers, providers, provider organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies; increases weekly and maximum penalties imposed for delayed reporting.

Adds a new Section 66B to GL Chapter 112 (Professional Licensure) defining invasive surgical procedures as any procedures which structurally alter the human body by the incision or destruction or cutting of tissues or the diagnostic or therapeutic treatment of conditions or disease processes; provides that invasive surgical procedures do not include the use of an epinephrine auto-injector to counteract anaphylaxis.

Amends GL Chapter 112 to add behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorder services to core competencies expected of community health work; prohibits listed health coverage plans from denying coverage or reimbursement for covered healthcare services on the basis that the services were provided by a certified community health worker; establishes the Community Health Worker Workforce Development Task Force to study the demographics and retention rates of community health care workers and issue a report with recommendations for the retention, expansion, and improvement of their services; and outlines task force membership requirements.  

Makes a number of amendments relative to the Health Policy Commission, the Center for Health Information and Analysis, and the Department of Public Health, to expand certain provisions trying to contain the growth in the cost of health care. In particular, the bill: Amends provisions of the Health Policy Commission to establish that any provider that has been identified as exceeding the heath care cost growth benchmark for any given year will be prohibited from making any material change to its operations or governance structure that would otherwise require notice to the Commission; Requires that as part of their annual public hearings the HPC will conduct an annual review of the status of all the commission-approved material changes to determine whether the benefits providers have given as the reasons for coming together (such as lower costs, better integration, or improved quality) have actually been realized; Establishes that any provider whose relative price exceeds 1.3, or any provider who has a total medical expense in excess of the statewide average physician group health status adjusted total medical expense, will be required to file a performance improvement plan with the HPC; Rewrites large portions of the provisions relative to notice of material changes to operations or governance structure of provider or provider organization; cost and market impact review; Amends provisions on determination of need for construction of health care facility, to establish that in reviewing an application, DPH is take into consideration the recommendations made by the Health Policy Commission regarding the impact of the proposed project on health care costs in the Commonwealth;  Makes certain technical corrections in portions of the General Laws related to the Health Policy Commission.

Establishes a two year pilot program for health insurance premium assistance for people with incomes between 300% and 500% of the federal poverty level; requires reporting to the legislature on December 1 of 2024 and 2025. NOTE: The Governor’s amendment would no longer create a 2-year pilot program, but rather study the costs and implementation requirements that such a program would entail.   

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a cost-sharing assistance program for applicants below 500% of the federal poverty guidelines enrolled in employer-sponsored health insurance plans; intends program to cover the cost difference between applicants’ employer plan and a premium plan; orders the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority to evaluate cost assistance program, collect data to assess impact on program participants, and file a report by December 1, 2029; and takes effect January 1, 2026. 

Amends GL 13:14, by granting the Board of Registration in Nursing independent control over the practice and licensure of nursing in the Commonwealth.

Regulates “pharmaceutical manufacturing companies,” defined as an entity engaged in the: (i) production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of prescription drugs, directly or indirectly, by extraction from substances of natural origin, independently by means of chemical synthesis or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis; or (ii) packaging, repackaging, labeling, relabeling or distribution of prescription drugs. In particular: Adds new provisions to GL c.12C (Center for Health Information and Analysis) requiring the Center to promulgate regulations necessary to ensure the uniform reporting of information from pharmaceutical manufacturing companies that enables the center to analyze, among other things: (i) year-over-year changes in wholesale acquisition cost and average manufacturer price for prescription drug products; (ii) year-over-year trends in net expenditures; (iii) net expenditures on subsets of biosimilar, brand name and generic drugs identified by the center; and (iv) trends in estimated aggregated drug rebates, discounts or other remuneration paid or provided by a pharmaceutical manufacturing company to a pharmacy benefit manager, etc.; Enacts a new Chapter 63D into the General Laws, entitled Penalty on Drug Manufacturers for Excessive Price Increases, and assesses a penalty of 80% of the any excessive price increase, as defined, for each unit, determined at the beginning of the calendar quarter; Makes other technical changes in various provisions of the General Laws to implement these new provisions.

Directs the Executive Director of the Board of Regulations in Nursing to administer the nurse licensure compact; authorizes the board to impose a penalty up to $2,000 on licensed nurses who violate regulations related the practice and registration of nursing.  Adds a new GL Chapter 112A, a Nurse Licensure Compact, as adopted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in its final version (dated May 4, 2015) and representing the National Council's best efforts at creating a standardized interstate compact. The Massachusetts board of registration in nursing will be required to adopt regulations in the same manner as all other with states legally joining in the Compact. The Compact acknowledges that the expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation; the current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant for both nurses and states; and uniformity of nurse licensure requirements throughout the states promotes public safety and public health benefits. The Compact goes on to set forth a detailed plan of interstate licensing of nurses.

Enacts a new chapter 176X relative to Pharmacy Benefit Managers, who are defined as a “person, business, or other entity that (either directly or through an intermediary) manages the prescription drug coverage provided by a health insurance carrier, self-insurance plan, or other third-party payer.” The new chapter requires pharmacy benefit managers to be licensed;  requires a pharmacy benefit manager to provide a reasonably adequate and accessible network for the provision of prescription drugs, which provides for convenient patient access to pharmacies within a reasonable distance from a patient’s residence; prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager from retroactively reducing payments on a claim, either directly or indirectly, through aggregated effective rate, direct or indirect remuneration, quality assurance program or otherwise; provides for the use of “generically equivalent drugs”; and prohibits the use of  “spread pricing” in pharmaceuticals, among other things. The bill also makes many technical amendments in other general laws to make reference to or to harmonize with the new chapter on pharmacy benefit managers.

Amends provisions relative to the Health Safety Net to establish a 'supplemental surcharge,' which is an amount equal to 50% of the annual revenue shortfall in the Health Safety Net Trust Fund as estimated by the Health Safety Net Office; that assessment is subsequently used to defray shortfalls in the projected total reimbursable health services provided by acute hospitals and community health centers and emergency bad debt costs. The bill establishes that an amount equal to any federal financial participation revenues claimed and received by the Commonwealth is to be deposited into the Fund.

This is a refile of a bill that made it all the way to House engrossment in the previous (2021-2022) session. Among other things, the bill moves the health planning council from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to the Health Policy Commission; grants the Health Planning Council authority over the health care resources inventory and the state health plan; provides for new procedure when DPH makes determinations of need for hospital capital expenditures; grants independent community hospitals greater authority to block capital expenditures at hospitals with overlapping service areas. Refile of HB4253 from the 2021-2022 session. A section-by-section summary of the bill from last year is available here.

Enacts provisions that levy an annual tax on private colleges and universities and private schools and uses the money from the levy to fund initiatives to fund efforts to recruit students to the health care industry. In particular: Adds a new Chapter 63E to the General Laws entitled Independent Institution of Higher Education Endowment Excise Tax, and levies an excise on these institutions equal to 2% of the aggregate fair market value of the assets held in established endowment funds in the preceding taxable year; Adds a new Chapter 63F to the General Laws entitled Private School Endowment Excise Tax, and levies an excise on these schools equal to 1% of the aggregate fair market value of the assets held in established endowment funds in the preceding taxable year; Establishes a Healthcare Industry Recruitment and Education Advisory Council within, but not subject to control of EOHHS;  Establishes a new Healthcare Industry Recruitment and Education Fund, hereinafter referred to as the HIRE Fund, to which are to be credited all revenue received from the excise imposed by chapters 63E and 63F; Requires any institution of higher education and independent private school to be subject to the new levy required by chapters 63E and 63F.  

Amends GL Chapter 32A and Chapter 32B (Public employee health insurance) to allow Medicare eligible retired employees and their Medicare eligible dependents to enter into a health insurance plan purchased on the individual Medicare marketplace; specifies cost details of such arrangements.

Amends GL Chapter 118I to change membership of the health information technology council and remove their coordination with state agencies and private stakeholders; mandates that every patient shall have electronic access to their own health records and that healthcare providers implement electronic records systems necessary to participate in statewide health information exchange; orders executive office to enforce policies and determine penalties for non-compliant health care entities; instructs healthcare providers on steps to take in the event of unauthorized access to patient health information; provides patients with the choice to opt-out of the health information exchange; and directs the council to file an annual report by April 1 on progress of and recommendations for further developing statewide health information exchange. 

Adds a new Chapter 175N to the General Laws, to create a single-payer system for health care in Massachusetts; establishes the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, which will be the single-payer body responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds required to provide health care services for every resident of the Commonwealth; establishes a 29 member board to include representatives nominated by health care professionals, labor, senior citizens, single-payer advocates, people with disabilities and caregivers, children's advocates, providers of legal services for people of low-income; 8 people elected by the citizens of Massachusetts; and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Administration and Finance, and the Commissioner of Public Health; creates a position of Executive Director and a number of offices to administer the trust. Guarantees health care access to all residents without regard to citizenship status, incarceration, financial or employment status, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, previous health problems, or geographic location; directs the trust to pay for care sought by Massachusetts residents in bordering states; directs the trust to control costs by establishing a global budget; by capital budgeting and limiting duplicative expenditures for construction and major equipment; by negotiating statewide wholesale prices for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; and by more efficient use of health care facilities.  Establishes eligibility criteria for both participants and health care providers, the enumeration of covered benefits, provisions relative to wraparound coverage for federal health programs, and the establishment of a Health Care Trust Fund to finance the operation, with a dedicated health care tax imposed on employers, workers, and citizens.  Establishes an employer payroll tax of 7.5%, exempting the first $20,000 of payroll per establishment; an additional employer payroll tax of 0.5% on establishments with 100 or more employees; a payroll tax of 2.5% on employees, exempting the first $20,000 of income; a payroll tax on the self-employed of 10%, exempting the first $20,000 of payroll per self-employed resident; and a 10% tax on unearned income (including dividends, capital gains, rents, and profits) excluding the first $20,000, as well as social security, unemployment benefits, workers compensation, sick pay, paid family and medical leave, and pensions.     

Adds new section 16DD to GL Chapter 6A to establish a primary care workforce development and loan forgiveness grant program at community health centers to improve recruitment and retention of primary care physicians and other employees; prioritizes culturally, ethically, and linguistically diverse workforce; and outlines eligibility for loan repayment assistance. 

Establishes a new Chapter 6F in the General Laws, Executive Office of Equity. “Equity” is defined for these purposes as the “consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities” and “Health equity” is defined as the “fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.”  The new Equity Office is, among other things, tasked to develop multi-year strategic plans to advance equity within each executive office of the Commonwealth; develop standards for the collection, analysis, and public reporting of disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, language, and other socio-demographic factors; and create and publish data dashboards stratified and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, language, and other socio-demographic factors.  The new Chapter also establishes an Advisory Board, and issue an annual report.  Finally, the bill makes a number of technical changes that make reference to the Equity Office in other parts of the General Laws, and requires the Center for Health Information and Analysis to gather and publish certain health equity information.

Directs the executive director of the Board of Regulations in Nursing to administer the nurse licensure compact; authorizes the board to impose a penalty up to $2,000 on licensed nurses who violate regulations related the practice and registration of nursing.  Adds a new GL Chapter 112A, a Nurse Licensure Compact, as adopted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in its final version (dated May 4, 2015) and representing the National Council's best efforts at creating a standardized interstate compact. The Massachusetts board of registration in nursing will be required to adopt regulations in the same manner as all other with states legally joining in the Compact. The Compact acknowledges that the expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation; the current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant for both nurses and states; and uniformity of nurse licensure requirements throughout the states promotes public safety and public health benefits. The Compact goes on to set forth a detailed plan of interstate licensing of nurses.

Adds new section 135D to GL Chapter 112, establishing a field placement grant program (FPGP) to recruit and retain Masters of Social Work students from low-income and historically marginalized communities. 

Amends various provisions of General Law related to higher education that are intended to ensure fair and adequate funding for public institutions of higher education. The Board of Higher Education and the Secretary will determine the annual budget request for these institutions, with a focus on equity for students and workers, supporting scholarship funding, fair wages for faculty and staff, resources for teaching and research, student support services, and prioritizing public operation of campuses. Establishes the Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Planning Commission. The commission will assess and make recommendations for public higher education buildings in areas such as energy efficiency, safety, accessibility, and public health. It will also develop standards for green and healthy buildings.  Establishes a debt-free college scholarship program that aims to provide debt-free college completion for all students in Massachusetts public higher education institutions. The program will cover the full cost of attendance, require a reasonable contribution from students and families, and provide state financial aid to fill the gap. The program will support lifelong learning and be administered without bias. Establishes three separate funds: the Public College and University Capital Debt Relief Fund, the Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Fund, and the Public Higher Education Wage Equity and Working Conditions Fund. These funds will receive appropriations and other money to provide financial relief for debt service on capital construction projects, fund recommendations for green and healthy buildings, and implement recommendations for wage equity and working conditions in public higher education. Requires the operating budgets of colleges and universities to include the necessary appropriations to fund incremental cost items for collective bargaining agreements in public higher education institutions. Establishes that certain employees in public higher education institutions to be eligible for membership in the state employees' retirement system, earn creditable service, and receive regular compensation. Establishes the Public Higher Education Wage Equity and Working Conditions Commission. The commission will assess salaries and working conditions of employees in private and public higher education institutions, make recommendations for equitable compensation, and prioritize diversity in the workforce.

Amends GL 15A:19 relative to tuition and fee waivers in public education to establish that tuition and fee waivers for students attending community college are to include courses that are not state-supported, including summer sessions, evening classes and online courses. In addition, adds a new §1U to require high school students to complete and submit the Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form before graduating, with exemptions available through a signed waiver. DESE will establish procedures for implementation and provide information on the benefits of completing the FAFSA and available state-sponsored scholarships. Requires the Department of Higher Education, in consultation with relevant entities, to develop materials informing high school students about affordable and accessible higher education opportunities, particularly at public community colleges. The materials will cover application processes, financial aid availability, and include a map of community college locations.

Creates a new GL 15A:45 (Public Education) to provide various protections to student athletes, in regard to income, scholarships and legal representation; prohibits colleges, universities or the NCAA (or other similar groups) from preventing students from earning income on the use of their name, image or likeness; bars institutions with authority over student athletics from directly compensating student athletes for use of their name, image or likeness; prevents the NCAA or similar groups from banning colleges or universities from participating in student athletics as a result of students earning income on their name, image or likeness; protects the ability of student athletes to obtain legal or professional representation. Creates a new GL 9:32 (Department of the State Secretary) to register and certify “Athlete Agents,” who will contract with student athletes to provide professional representation; sets forth the general requirements of the position; establishes the qualifications and application process for athlete agents; describes various ethical requirements for athlete agents, and when and how athlete agents can lose certification or be otherwise penalized.  

Adds new section 168F to GL Chapter 6 to direct institutions of higher education to develop and make publicly available policies on academic transcript notations and appeals relating to sexual misconduct and include a temporary notation on academic transcripts of students alleged to have committed a crime of violence until a resolution is reached, and once it is, to provide a permanent notation on said academic transcripts; provides guidelines on notations; and requires institutions to submit an annual report on the total number of temporary and permanent notations by December 1 of each year. 

Adds a new Section 45 to GL Chapter 15A (Public Education) to provide various protections to student athletes, in regard to income, scholarships and legal representation; prohibits colleges, universities or the NCAA (or other similar groups) from preventing students from earning income on the use of their name, image or likeness; bars institutions with authority over student athletics from directly compensating student athletes for use of their name, image or likeness; prevents the NCAA or similar groups from banning colleges or universities from participating in student athletics as a result of students earning income on their name, image or likeness; protects the ability of student athletes to obtain legal or professional representation. Adds a new Section 32 to GL Chapter 9 (Department of the State Secretary) to register and certify “Athlete Agents,” who will contract with student athletes to provide professional representation; sets forth the general requirements of the position; establishes the qualifications and application process for athlete agents; describes various ethical requirements for athlete agents, and when and how athlete agents can lose certification or be otherwise penalized.

Adds new Section 19F to GL 15A (Public Education) to prohibit all institutions of higher education from withholding a student's academic transcript solely due to said student's failure to pay any loan payments, fines, fees, tuition or other expenses owed; authorizes said institution to withhold academic credits and grades for any course for which the student's tuition and mandatory course fees are not paid in full; directs the Department of Higher Education to promulgate regulations consistent with these provisions and necessary for implementation.

Amends GL 69:31A to permit the Board of Higher Education to approve an institution’s proposal to rely on blockchain or distributed ledger technology to maintain their records. 

Prohibits public higher education institutions from considering the applicant’s familial relationship to a graduate of the institution in deciding whether to grant admission to an applicant.

Adds a new Section 22 to GL Chapter 66 regulating the release of public records; exempts public colleges and universities from the production of education records; defines education records as those directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency, as provided under the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act and the Code of Federal Regulations.

Adds new Section 39A to GL Chapter 15A requiring public institutions of higher education to develop procedures to accept for course credit successful completion of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment courses; requires said policies to include conditions for granting credit, minimum exam scores, whether credit shall be granted for general education, major, or elective requirements, and transferability of credit to other institutions. Additionally, adds two sections to GL Chapter 69 establishing the Massachusetts Office of College in High School, responsible for administering high school programs that expand student access to college and post-secondary opportunities; creates a Massachusetts College in High School Trust Fund; directs the Office to establish standards for approving and designating college in high school programs; limits designations as a college in high school program to an initial period of five years, subject to review after the first three; details program requirements as they pertain to student preparation and advancement in higher and professional education; directs the department to set multi-year goals for the commonwealth for the attainment of college degrees and industry-recognized certificates for students participating in college in high school programs; and implements reporting requirements for college in high school programs.

Requires public institutions of higher education, including colleges, universities, community colleges or junior colleges, to give priority to students or prospective students whose biological parents are deceased or who had their parental rights terminated, and who were subsequently legally adopted by an eligible blood relative or assigned a permanent legal guardian, when making decisions related to admissions, scholarships and grants.

Amends GL 69:1D relative to statewide educational goals and academic standards to add provisions to promote the maximization of federal and state postsecondary financial aid options for graduating students. In particular, it requires students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduating from high school, with exemptions available if the parent or guardian authorizes the student to decline, or if the student is 18 years old or older or legally emancipated.  DESE will be required to develop two forms, one to be signed by a parent, guardian or the student and the other to be filed by the school district on behalf of students under 18. School districts must ensure compliance and provide support to students. The commissioner will provide guidance, and districts must report annually on FAFSA completion and exemptions. In addition, establishes and regulates the FAFSA Trust Fund, which will be administered by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, which may be used for implementation and execution of training, workshops, collaboration with stakeholders, and community organizations.

Strikes out  Chapter 40P, the Massachusetts Rent Control Prohibition Act, enacted by the voters as an initiative petition in 1994, and replaces it with a new GL c.40P, entitled Tenant Protection Act. The new chapter is intended to provide municipalities with local options for rent stabilization, just cause eviction protections, condominium conversion ordinances, and other tenant protections. In particular: Establishes that cities or towns may adopt these provisions at local option, and authorizes cities and towns to regulate the rent and eviction of tenants in multi-family housing and provide for reasonable exemptions; Establishes that may provide for “fair return standards” for the regulation of rent (not defined); Establishes that a city or town that accepts these provisions may provide “just cause” protections, and that will not be allowed to recover a leased unit within both multi-family housing and residential dwellings unless a court makes one of nine specific findings, including: The lessee has failed to pay the rent; The lessee has violated c.93A; The lessee is committing or permitting a nuisance to exist; The lessee has used or permitted a leased unit to be used for any illegal purposes; The lessee has refused an extension or renewal of a lease at a rate that exceeds the CPI; The lessee has refused the lessor reasonable access to make necessary repairs or improvements required by law; The person holding at the end of a lease term is a sublessee not approved by the lessor; The lessor seeks to recover possession of a leased unit for their own personal use or that of family members; The lessor seeks to recover possession for any other just cause. Enacts the following additional provisions: Allows municipalities to regulate the conversion of housing to condominium or cooperative forms; Specifies the maximum rent for regulated rental units based on the rent charged 12 months prior to acceptance of this section; Permits cities or towns to regulate deposits and non-refundable move-in fees; Specifies installment payment options for a tenant's last month's rent and security deposit; Allows cities or towns to implement or exempt provisions of the chapter in distinct anti-displacement zones; Permits community organizations to petition for the establishment of anti-displacement zones.

Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B, codifying the program of Rental Assistance for Families in Transition in new section 31 of GL23B; specifies eligibility standards and funding priorities for program; establishes annual reporting requirements for DHCD; provides that records of assistance provided are public records with the exception of the identities of tenants and subtenants.

Adds a new Section 36 to GL Chapter 12 (Office of the Attorney General) by requiring the Attorney General to establish a rental arbitrator within her office, whose function is to be to receive, review and assist in resolving complaints from tenants and landlords, including complaints regarding rent increase disputes for dwelling units. In particular, a landlord may not increase a tenant’s rent or the total rent of a dwelling unit during any 12-month period, even if a new lease agreement is signed or other rental agreement is entered into, by an amount of more than 5% plus the most recent Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, or 10%, whichever is lower, unless a landlord can show specific cause to why a greater rental increase is required. Cause may include items such as a significant investment and improvement by the landlord to the dwelling unit during the preceding 12 calendar months; the introduction of additional tenants to the dwelling unit; or the introduction of pets or additional pets into the dwelling unit. Finally, repeals GL c. 40P, The Massachusetts Rent Control Prohibition Act.

Adds new GL 140:32F½ to allow cities or towns to create boards for overseeing manufactured housing communities; grants the board powers to set rules, register community owners and operators, and issue binding orders; caps yearly rent or fee increases based on the rate of inflation, unless the board finds a greater increase necessary for fair net operating income; outlines factors for determining fair net operating income; and subjects violations to a maximum $5,000 fine and mandates notification to the local board of health upon violation discovery. 

Amends GL 121B:11 to allow housing authorities to secure debt against capital funds pursuant to a capital improvement plan and amends GL 121B:43 to allow authorities to retain the proceeds from the disposition of projects or the sale of lands for housing development, funds which would otherwise revert to either the city or town or the Commonwealth.   Amends GL 121B:34 to exempt construction and development activity related to public housing projects from the public procurement process where the land, buildings or structures associated with said project have been conveyed or transferred to a private entity to complete such redevelopment; amends GL 121B:16 to exempt income restricted housing owned by a housing authority or associated entity from taxation, betterments and special assessments, instead requiring the authority to make a payment in lieu of taxes to the relevant city or town.

No summary available.

Allows Boston to impose rent controls and eviction protections for governmentally-involved housing after governmentally-funded subsidies for such housing have expired; sets out definitions of terms, scope of housing protected.

Adds new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B requiring DHCD to administer a program assisting formerly incarcerated persons in finding housing, including by helping these individuals understand any housing options available to them, finding pathways to short-term and permanent housing, and connecting them with any available financial assistance; amends numerous existing programs relating to subsidized and affordable housing to establish a preference for formerly incarcerated individuals; and requires DHCD to report annually on its efforts to assist formerly incarcerated persons in finding appropriate housing.   

Adds a new Section 24 to GL Chapter 183A, which prohibits condominium associations, or any other corporation or entity established in the master deed for the management and regulation of a condominium, from prohibiting a unit owner from flying, displaying an official flag of the United States in a limited common area to which the owner has exclusive possession or use, or from a window in the unit; further permits the hanging of Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags from windows; limits flags hung from windows to 4.5 feet by 6 feet, and in compliance with Federal law.

Establishes the Chatham Housing Trust to support the creation and preservation of affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents.  

Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B, codifying the program of Rental Assistance for Families in Transition in new section 31 of GL23B; specifies eligibility standards and funding priorities for program; establishes annual reporting requirements for DHCD; provides that records of assistance provided are public records with the exception of the identities of tenants and subtenants.

Creates Office of Fair Housing; sets out duties of office, including administration of Fair Housing Trust Fund; establishes Fair Housing Trust Fund for the purpose of eliminating housing discrimination and affirmatively furthering fair housing.

Adds a new Section 18AA to GL Chapter 6A requiring every senior housing facility to employ security guards at all times, as well as train all personnel on safety and security protocols; authorizes the Secretary of Public Safety to promulgate regulations implementing these requirements.   

Amends GL 40A (Zoning) to (1) facilitate production of mixed-use development and multifamily housing and to require that such housing include certain percentages for low-income persons; (2) facilitate production of accessory dwelling units; and (3) promote the reuse of vacant commercial parcels and properties for residential and mixed-use housing; amends GL 7 to require the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to determine, prior to disposition of real property, whether such property shall be made available for low or moderate income housing; amends GL 21A:13 (Sewage disposal systems) to provide that board of health may adopt a local on-site sewage disposal systems regulation only to the extent that it imposes standards or other requirements that are more stringent than or otherwise exceed those set forth in Title 5 of the State Environmental Code, and only if, prior to adoption by the board of health, the Department of Environmental Protection has approved such regulation.

Grants the city of Attleboro the authority to establish a rent board in order to regulate rents, minimum standards and evictions for mobile home accommodations in the city.

Adds a new Section 22 to GL Chapter 125, banning any administrator or superintendent of any correctional institution in the commonwealth from transferring any prisoner or inmate to a facility outside the commonwealth to engage in prison labor. 

Prohibits state and municipalities from entering into or extending any contract to arrest, detain, or house any person for the purpose of civil immigration detention; requires law enforcement agencies to receive authorization from the Governor before an employee is deputized to act to enforce federal law.

Amends provisions of GL 276:57 relative to officials authorized to admit to bail, by making it mandatory (as opposed to discretionary)  to release on bail any person committed for not finding sureties to recognize for them. In addition the court may, if determined to be necessary, order the defendant to abide by specified restrictions on personal associations or conduct including, but not limited to, avoiding all contact with an alleged victim of the crime and any potential witness or witnesses who may testify concerning the offense, as a condition of release.

Increases the salaries of justices on the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, and the Trial Court, and provides for the clerks, registers or recorders of various courts in the Commonwealth to receive a salary equal to 84.57% of the salary of the chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.   

Adds a new Section 150D to GL Chapter 149 (Labor and employment) to provide for private enforcement of non-payment of wages in the construction industry; defines "interested party" and provides that interested party alleging facts that show probable cause that an employer has engaged in or caused a wage non-payment may bring an action in the name of and on behalf of the Commonwealth against the employer to recover damages and penalties.

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 6, relative to the Sex Offender Registry statute, to make sure that information related to any electronic mail, website registrations, messaging and chat service aliases, websites and domains of a sex offender be included in the information that the sex offender has to provide with registration.

Creates new GL 6:116L prohibiting the use of tear gas or other chemical weapons by law enforcement in all circumstances; imposes a fine of $5,000 for violations of the ban. 

Amends various provisions related to the operation of regional and local lockup facilities; authorizes both cities and towns that are not members of regional lockup facilities to establish a secure and convenient lockup for the holding of individuals arrested without a warrant; repeals fines imposed for failure to establish and maintain a lockup; grants the sheriff in counties with a regional lock-up facility responsibility for appointment of the lock-up administrator, including determination of term length and termination from such position; requires regional lock-up facilities to have a protective covering of high-impact, transparent wall facing; authorizes the Sheriff of Suffolk County establish a regional lockup facility within the site of the Suffolk county jail and house of correction or other location as necessary, to exclusively hold individuals detained upon probable cause or warrant or a person arrested under a civil process; regulates membership in such facility; grants police officers transferring prisoners to regional lock-up facilities authority to travel through any city, town or county.

Amends various GLs to significantly increase fines for: (1) practicing a trade or profession without the requisite license, certificate, registration or authority, (2) practicing a trade or profession with an expired, suspended, revoked or canceled license, certificate, registration or authority, (3) the unlawful practice of a profession or occupation requiring licensure by a corporation and (4) installing electrical wiring or electrical fixtures for hire without notifying a wiring inspector.

Adds a new Section 104 to GL Chapter 276 (Search Warrants, Rewards, Fugitives From Justice, Arrest, Examination, Commitment and Bail, Probation Officers and Board of Probation) requiring that a 'random-sampling audit' be conducted at least annually of randomly selected items of evidence or property from the particular evidence and property room log book, whether in electronic format or hard copy, to ensure that the selected evidence or property is located in the appropriate storage location in the particular evidence and property room of each department. Once every 5 years a full audit of the evidence and property held by a department must also be completed. The bill also requires that all moneys seized by a police department as evidence or within the course of an investigation must be deposited into an interest bearing account, except if the physical money itself holds evidentiary value, and creates certain reporting requirements. Separately, the bill requires that the Department of Environmental Protection must conduct a study of the licensing of incinerators in the Commonwealth, and regulates aspects of the study.

Amends various sections of the general laws pertaining to use of information in federal civil enforcement efforts; prohibits the department of criminal justice information services from providing access to any files, data or information received from the Registry of Motor Vehicles to any federal agency without a court order; prohibits the disclosure of criminal record offender information for any non-criminal justice purpose, including civil enforcement; additionally, amends GL 147:63 requiring written consent before an interview may be conducted with any person in custody relative to their immigration or residency status; entitles the person in custody to request the presence of an attorney, and prohibits further questioning if an attorney is requested but is unavailable; and requires the Office of the Attorney General to prepare a uniform consent form in English and other languages commonly spoken in Massachusetts; exempts these provisions from application to persons in federal custody held in a state or local facility pursuant to an intergovernmental contract.

Amends GL 6A:18¾ and GL 7D:11, related to data collection on criminal justice, to enumerate several agencies to which the data collection requirements apply, including 'the probation service, the parole board, the executive office of public safety and security, the department of correction, houses of correction, county jails, and the several district attorneys.'

Amends GL 12:11H and 11I (Massachusetts Civil Rights Act) to eliminate requirement that a civil rights violation must include an element of threats, intimidation or coercion; provides that in granting a claim of immunity from civil liability to a law enforcement officer, the court shall also make a determination in writing as to whether the conduct alleged, if proven at trial, interfered with the exercise or enjoyment by any other person or persons of rights secured by the constitution or laws of the United States, or of the commonwealth.

Adds a new Section 18M to GL Chapter 6A (Executive Offices) by adding a section prohibiting the public release of an audio recording of a 911 telephone call without the written consent of the caller, or without a finding by a court that the public interest in the audio recording outweighs the privacy interests of the caller or of any person involved in the circumstances that precipitated the 911 call; authorizes audio recordings be disseminated to law enforcement agencies for investigative purposes and used for public safety and emergency medical services training purposes.

Amends GL 32:15 — which governs the forfeiture of a pension or retirement allowance upon conviction of misappropriating public funds or property, or other offenses — to clarify that PERAC may only notify a member’s employer or retirement board of such a conviction after a determination that forfeiture is required, and to direct that action be taken.  

No summary available.

Adds three new sections to GL Chapter 258E (harassment prevention orders) by submitting three new sections regulating the possession of firearms by a defendant in harassment prevention cases; authorizes the court to order the suspension and surrender of licenses to carry firearms or firearms identification cards, as well as all firearms, rifles, shotguns, machine guns and ammunition after issuance of temporary or emergency orders or after continuation or modification of a temporary order; regulates notice of such orders and taking of possession by local law enforcement officials; imposes a fine up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment in a house of correction for up to two and a half year for failure to comply with such orders; establishes an appeals process for defendants subject to such orders; requires courts issuing such orders for suspension or surrender to transmit a report containing the defendant's name and identifying information and a statement describing the defendant's alleged conduct and relationship to the plaintiff to the department of criminal justice information services; requires further reports upon expiration of such orders, for transmission to the attorney general of the United States for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Amends GL 6C:13, which permits electronic toll collection by MassDOT, to prohibit the use of such technology (including radio-frequency identifying transponders) to identify the location of any vehicle for purposes other than charging, collecting, fixing and revising tolls; prohibits MassDOT from sharing data collected by such technology outside MassDOT without a search warrant; provides for a civil cause of action for persons aggrieved by the illegal use of such data, including filing for restraining further such violation; provides that, in the case of willful violations, no absolute or qualified privilege may be claimed and exemplary damages, between $100 and $1,000 per violation, plus reasonable costs and attorney's fees may be imposed. Provides that data obtained without a warrant be inadmissible in any civil or criminal proceeding except in a civil proceeding filed by a person whose rights have been violated by the illegal use of such data; and provides that use of data obtained or accessed without a search warrant constitutes a violation of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act (GL Chapter 93A); permits law enforcement to access such information without a warrant if the request is narrowly tailored and in cases involving a reasonable belief of an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury; regulates the request process in such cases. 

Adds a new Section 67 to GL Chapter 51, requiring notification of individuals convicted of felonies but not subject to incarceration, individuals under probation or parole, or individuals incarcerated for a felony and released of their voter eligibility; requires confirmation of such notice in writing; directs the office of the commissioner of probation to notify any person convicted of a felony within the last 10 years who is not currently incarcerated of their voter eligibility. 

Rewrites provisions of GL 123:15 and 123:16 relative to examinations for competence to stand trial, by essentially moving the competency examinations from Bridgewater State Hospital to a network of geographically dispersed community-based programs to conduct determinations of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility, that must be created and that DMH must contract with. In addition, if the observation and examination has been conducted at a community-based program, and the examining qualified physician or an examining qualified psychologist has reason to believe that failure to hospitalize such person would create a likelihood of serious harm by reason of mental illness, the examining qualified physician or an examining qualified psychologist may apply for the person’s commitment to a facility under the provisions of GL 123:12.

Limits or reduces the fees and fines that can be collected from juveniles accused of delinquency offenses or other crimes. In particular, makes amendments to chapter 119 that: Repeals §29A relative to legal fees of minors in criminal proceedings and the liability of their parents; Amends §55 to remove penalties for a parent, guardian, or person failing to appear in court regarding a child's delinquency for property destruction offenses; Amends §58B to include a determination of a youth's ability to pay for restitution, and fines may not exceed the youth's ability to pay. The length of time to pay may not affect probation duration; Adds a §58C to establish that no fine or fee is to apply to any person based on an offense committed while under the age of criminal majority; Amends §62 to include provisions for restitution hearings, with a presumption of inability to pay; establish that a juvenile's term of probation cannot be extended solely based on nonpayment of restitution; Amends §69 to prevent the issuance of a warrant solely for nonpayment of fines or fees. In addition, various provisions of GL c.127, 258B, 276 are amended to harmonize with these provisions on fees and fines.  Finally, adds new provisions to GL c.258C (Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes) by limiting eligibility for compensation to victims in situations where the crime committed by a person under the age of criminal majority and resulted in a financial loss to the victim. (Compensation is still available when the crime resulted directly in personal physical or psychological injury to, or death of, the victim.)

Adds a new GL Chapter 265A, the 'Unborn Victims of Violence Act'; defines unborn child; establishes a schedule of crimes and punishments for murder, manslaughter, assault, and battery upon an unborn child; excludes instances as the result of legal abortions and medical care.

Amends various provisions of the general laws for the purpose of instituting the death penalty for the murder of law enforcement officers; adds a new Section 1A to GL Chapter 265, classifying murder of a law enforcement officer with exacerbating factors, including intentionally killing the victim, intentionally inflicting serious body harm resulting in death, or intentionally engaging in violent acts that create a grave risk of death, as capital murder punishable by death or imprisonment.   Amends GL 279:68 (special jury questions for first degree murder) by modifying the process for imposing the death penalty in capital cases; eliminates submission of pre-judgment questions to the jury prior to determinations of guilt of murder in the first degree; requires a jury in first degree murder cases to determine if aggravating or mitigating circumstances exist during the presentence hearing rather than prior to an initial guilty verdict; requires the defendant to establish any mitigating circumstances; requires a unanimous jury decision to find aggravating circumstances.   Amends GL 279:69 (aggravating and mitigating circumstances in death penalty cases), by including deaths resulting from attempted escapes from penal facilities and murder committed by any person previously committed of crimes of violence as aggravating factors; repeals language defining victims serving as a judge, prosecuting attorney, juror, or witness as an aggravating factor; repeals language limiting prior convictions for murder in the first degree as aggravating factors; authorizes consideration of other factors submitted by the commonwealth; additionally authorizes submission of other factors in the defendant’s background, record, or character or any other circumstance as mitigation. 

Amends GL 41:97D (Confidentiality of reports of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence) to require police departments, district attorneys or other entities to respond to requests for statistical data related to said offenses with any personal information redacted.

Amends various sections of GL Chapter 90 (Motor vehicles) to increase the amount of money collected from motor vehicle fine collections to be deposited into the head injury treatment services trust fund.

Amends the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (GL Chapter 190B) by adding a new section 5-508, the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act, the purpose of which is to create a process by which adults with disabilities who need assistance with decisions may choose to make and communicate decisions; regulates the process by which an adult with a disability can voluntarily enter into a supported-decision making agreement with another adult who can provide assistance in making decisions with the disabled adult’s consent; regulates terms and limitations of such agreements, and allows a disabled person to revoke the agreement at any time; allows the disabled person to enter into separate health care proxies and durable powers of attorney. Amends GL 6A:16, by directing the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to establish training programs on supported decision making, to be provided to both supporters and principals; amends GL 71:3 by requiring notification of any student on an IEP for whom adult guardianship is being considered of the availability of supported decision making as an alternative to adult guardianship.

Amends GL Chapter 18C (Office of the Child Advocate); gives the Child Advocate access to probation records and criminal justice information service records; gives the Child Advocate discretion to determine which court records the Advocate may have access to; adds childhood trauma, education, coordination of services among executive state agencies, the availability of reliable data, juvenile contact with criminal justice agencies and contracted services to the jurisdiction of the Advocate; gives the Advocate access to data on adult and juvenile arrests, arraignments, adjudications and dispositions; clarifies that the Advocate may obtain criminal offender record information.  

Completely rewrites provisions of the "dangerousness" statute with respect to bail, as embodied in GL 276:58A, by getting much more specific with the list of offenses that may qualify a person to be detained and not admitted to bail; strikes out the provisions that currently provide that in absence of good cause, the person may not be detained for a period exceeding 120 days by the district court or for a period exceeding 180 days by the superior court.

No summary available.

Amends GL 119:54A relative to diversion for juvenile delinquents by changing some of the rules related to diversion. In particular: Clarifies that participation in a CHINS case does not disqualify a juvenile from diversion; Clarifies that a juvenile may consult with legal counsel about diversion; Clarifies that information obtained during the course of the assessment is not to be admissible in subsequent proceedings; Changes the enumerated list of offenses which would exclude a juvenile from diversion; Adds new provisions to GL 276 that establish that after an arrest of a person under the age of criminal majority, law enforcement and criminal justice agencies are prohibited from transmitting fingerprints and any records related to the arrest or filing of a court case against the person to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Department of Justice, with certain exceptions.

Amends GL 6:178K (Sex Offender Registry) to prohibit Level 2 or Level 3 offenders from living or being employed within 500 feet of the property on which any public or private school, licensed day care center or any other child care facility is located.

Amends GL 111:1 (Public Health) to clarify definition of "Medical peer review committee"; amends GL 112:5C (Medical Malpractice) to provide that the offering of expert testimony in a medical malpractice action constitutes the practice of medicine; adds a new Section 193V to GL Chapter 175 (Insurance), which requires insurers and risk management organizations that provide malpractice and liability insurance to physicians to annually submit reports to the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction; articulates mandatory components of these reports, including, but not limited to identifying the top ten losses and claims for damage for personal injuries allegedly caused by error, omission, or negligence; amends GL 231:60G (Judgments) to permit award reductions when damages are replaceable, compensable or indemnifiable by a third party; amends GL Chapter 231 to establish two new sections: 60M, which defines procedures for periodic payments over time when malpractice judgments exceed $50,000, and 60N, which sets post-judgment interest rate at weekly average one year constant maturity Treasury yield.

Adds a new Section 59 to GL Chapter 265 (Crimes Against the Person) establishing that no sex offender will be allowed on public or private school property at any time for any reason. A sex offender who violates this provision can be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2½ years or by a fine of $1,000, or by both; a police officer or officer authorized to serve criminal process may make a warrantless arrest of any person whom he has probable cause to believe has violated this section.

Adds a new Section 18M to GL Chapter 6A requiring wireless telecommunications carriers to immediately provide a user’s location information following a request by law enforcement in order to respond to a call for emergency services, assist in a missing person investigation, or respond to an emergency situation involving the risk of death or serious physical harm; requires that the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security maintain a database of emergency contact information for all wireless telecommunications carriers and in-vehicle security and communications service providers and make information immediately available upon request to all public safety answer points in the state; directs EOPPS to promulgate regulations enforcing this new section by December 31, 2021. 

Adds a new GL Chapter 5 as the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act, a piece of model legislation adopted by twenty-one states and the District of Columbia as of January 2021; requires any electronic record of the law (construed to include effectual state legislation, administrative rules and regulations, and case law) that is designated as official to be authenticated and preserved; does not require that those documents be published with an official designation, as currently the web version of the General Laws is considered to be an unofficial version. 

Amends GL 201D (Health care proxies) to give attending nurse practitioners the same authority with respect to health care proxy decisionmaking as attending physicians.

Adds a new GL Chapter 258F, Bill of Rights for Survivors of Sexual Assault; enumerates rights of such persons, including privileged communications with a sexual assault counselor, right to counsel when meeting with representatives from criminal justice system, and right to prompt analysis of forensic evidence; establishes Rights of Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force.

Restores the furlough program, which was largely dismantled after the Willie Horton ads and the failed Dukakis presidential run.  In particular, the bill adds a new §90A to GL c.127 (Officers and Inmates of Penal and Reformatory Institutions. Paroles and Pardons) to authorize the Commissioner of Corrections to allow furloughs for a specified period of time, not to exceed 14 days during any 12 month period nor more than 7 days at any one time. Sets forth an enumerated list for which furloughs may be granted (such as to attend the funeral of a relative); establishes that prisoners on life sentences may receive a furlough only upon the recommendation of the superintendent; and establishes that a prisoner on furlough may be required to be accompanied by a DOC staff.Also amends GL 127:83A and 83B relative to the establishment of camp for male prisoners for reforestation by amending some of the requirements for sending prisoners to these camps. In particular, the bill reduces from 12 years to 8 years the amount of a sentence that a prisoner has to serve before he can be placed at a camp; the  bill also makes certain technical corrections in the sections.

Amends GL 119:52 to extend the age of delinquent children and youthful offenders to 19; amends GL 119:72B, regarding minors convicted of murder, to apply the existing provisions to youthful offenders age 16 through 19 and direct younger offenders to youth court; enumerates conditions for why offenders incarcerated under the section may be barred programming and treatment; eliminates the existing provision for psychological evaluation of alleged delinquent offenders in GL 123:15; enacts a new section into GL Chapter 123 setting forth procedures specifically for the evaluation of an alleged delinquent offender's competence; provides for dismissal of cases with prejudice and the initiation of civil commitment proceeding if competence is not attain within certain lengths of time for misdemeanors, felonies, and murder; implements a new procedure for granting parole under GL 127:130.

Amends GLs 6:178D, 178J and 178K to require that a current color photograph of a sex offender be included in: (1) the Sex Offender Registry database of Level 2 and 3 sex offenders, available to the public; the information that police may disseminate to individuals who make a sex offender inquiry and who are eligible to receive such information; and (3) in a Level 3 community notification plan.

Amends GLs 127:133 and 279:3 to allow the Parole Board, by majority vote, to suspend, in whole or in part, the state prison sentence of a parolee under its supervision; provides that a court when sentencing a probationer serving a suspended sentence when surrendered to the court, instead of having to impose the entire sentence as under current law, if the suspended sentence was to the house of correction and not the state prison, the court would have the discretion to impose a portion of that sentence, with the balance suspended and the length of time for which the balance is suspended would be reduced by the time served on revocation; and provides that if the court suspends any part of the sentence, it may also revise conditions of probation.

Amends GL 6:172A, the statute governing fees for CORI checks, to provide that a parent or guardian shall not pay a fee when requesting a CORI check on a child care provider that may come into contact with their child.

Establishes a new GL 258F, regulating the tracking and collection of profits from crime; requires any party which contracts with or agrees to pay a defendant or his representative any consideration which it knows or reasonably should know constitutes the proceeds of a crime, to submit a copy of its contract or a summary of the terms of any oral agreement, with the division of victim compensation and assistance within the department of the attorney general; further requires them to file a bond equal to amounts equal to proceeds from a crime; regulates enforcement of reporting requirements; requires notification of crime victims of the existence of the contract; authorizes victims to bring civil suits to recover money damages from a defendant; directs the division to use the bond to pay to satisfy any civil judgment in full or in part as regulated.

Amends GL 6:178I, the statute governing requests and reports identifying sex offenders, to allow victims to find out the final classification of their abuser and also allow them access to certain information such as home address.

Amends GL 6:178L to remove the right of indigent sex offenders to be appointed counsel and granted payment for an expert witness at classification hearings.

Directs the Parole Board to administer and oversee mandatory post-release supervision functions; imposes a period of post-release supervision on all sentences of incarceration; exempts persons serving life sentences who seek parole from these provisions; regulates the calculation of periods of mandatory post-release supervision; prohibits imposing the post-release supervision on individuals who successfully complete periods of probation; subjects persons under the post-release supervision to the jurisdiction of the parole board; regulates the early termination of the post-release supervision; regulates the imposing of sanctions for violation of the conditions of the post-release supervision.

Adds a new Section 38GG to GL Chapter 63 (Corporate Excise) to establish a credit for the donation of food crops to a nonprofit food distribution organization by a farm incorporated as a business corporation. The credit is to be limited to the fair market value of the donated crops up to an aggregate deduction of $2,000, and if certain other triggers are met. Expands the exception from liability for anyone donating food which may have exceeded its sell by date and may have spoiled, as set forth in GL 94:328, by making it clear that the exemption from liability includes not only the person handling the food, but any other person who may be affected by it.

Amends GL 6:178L (Classification of sex offenders) to, for offender-initiated motions for reclassification, place the burden of proof on the sex offender to show by clear and convincing evidence that his or her risk of re-offense and degree of dangerousness posed to the public have decreased following his or her final classification.

Changes prostitution from a crime, as applied to the women or other persons who are engaged in the sex work, into a legal status where the those in the sex trade are treated as victims. In particular,  Adds a new definition for a “prostituted person,” which includes almost any person who engages in prostitution, especially if they've been subjected to the authority of a pimp while still a minor; Requires that the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance allocate certain funds to the Victims of Human Trafficking Trust Fund; Changes definitions in crimes like solicitation, to reflect the new status of the prostituted person; Requires the expungement of the records of women (or anybody else) convicted of prostitution; Establishes a special commission to look into questions related to prostitution.

Amends provisions of GL 112:12R relative to informed consent before receiving an abortion, by replacing the existing section with four sections. These sections: Establish that pregnant women cannot be required to wait beyond the standard of care or undergo unnecessary procedures or tests before receiving health-related information, services, or medical care related to abortion; Establish that pregnant woman cannot be forced to undergo an ultrasound inconsistent with the standard of care, see or hear the results of an ultrasound, or visit the provider facility more frequently or for a longer duration than necessary; Establish that the Department of Public Health is responsible for publishing and updating a list of provider facilities that choose to be included, and DPH must conduct a public education campaign to inform providers and the public about crisis pregnancy centers and the availability of licensed medical and family planning services; Establish that ultrasound services related to pregnancy can only be provided under the supervision of a licensed health care professional who provides medical care for pregnant women; Establish that health care professionals in school-based health centers must maintain the confidentiality of any abortion-related information or care provided to patients at the center. The bill also establishes that no conscientious objection to performing an abortion will be deemed be valid if an abortion is required to preserve the life of a pregnant woman when no medical staff other than the objector are available to perform or support the performance of the abortion. Finally, the bill makes a number of technical and grammatical changes to various provisions of GL c.112 relative to the Registration of Certain Professions and Occupations.

Submits a version of the Uniform Parentage Act, model legislation drafted by the Uniform Law Commission. Originally drafted in 1973, the UPA has been updated in 2002 and again in 2017; it serves to provide a uniform legal framework for establishing paternity of minor children born to married and unmarried couples; it focuses on the legal framework in the area of paternity law by setting up processes for establishing paternity through the means of voluntary acknowledgement, various standards for genetic paternity testing, and processes for determining paternity through the court system.

Establishes and regulates the use of the Sexual Exploitation Prevention and Victim Assistance Fund within the department of public health; requires use of the fund to support innovative practices to prevent sexual exploitation and provide assistance to victims of sexual exploitation; details reporting requirements. Repeals language regulating juvenile delinquency or criminal proceedings against sexually exploited children; repeals language defining being a victim of human trafficking as an affirmative defense to common nightwalking or streetwalking; repeals criminal penalties for common nightwalkers,  streetwalkers and engaging in sexual conduct for a fee, effective January 1, 2026. Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of ask force on training and support for law enforcement officers relative to sexual exploitation and human trafficking; requires the task force to meet at least quarterly; directs the task force to submit findings and recommendations within 1 year of its first meeting.

Amends provisions with respect to the reporting of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect in chapters 19A (Department of Elder Affairs), 19C (Disabled Persons Protection Commission) and 119 (Protection and Care of Children, and Proceedings Against Them) by dropping the requirement that the reporting of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect must be in the context of another investigation, such as a 51A investigation.

Amends GL 211, 211A and 211B to increase the salaries of the Chief Justices and Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, the Appeals Court and the Trial Court; provides an additional annual sum of $2,500 to Justices of the Trial Court serving as a first justice or regional administrative justice.

Includes height as a category protected from unlawful discrimination and hate crimes; prohibits the filming or photography of persons with disability for the purposes of harassment and imposes a $500 fine or three month jail sentence.

Amends GL 265:13D (Assault and Battery upon Public Employees) to include employees of private railroads delivering a public service in the definition of public employee.

Amends GL 94C:47 (Forfeiture of property), as it pertains to forfeiture actions related to controlled substances violations; repeals existing language pertaining to distribution of seized assets and funds to the prosecuting district attorney or attorney general and the city, town or state police department involved in the seizure; requires assignment of counsel through the public or private counsel division of the committee of public counsel services in such cases; requires allocation of seized monies and proceeds to the Counsel for Indigent Salary Enhancement Trust Fund; additionally directs the committee of public counsel services to  establish, supervise and maintain a system for the appointment of counsel for indigents related to summary process for land and voiding of leases for using premises for common nuisance.

Authorizes local law enforcement agencies may obtain criminal offender record information including sealed records for persons volunteering in a program serving children 18 years of age or less.

Amends GL 211B:4 regarding salaries of the justices of the Trial Court, by granting an annual stipend of $2,500 to justices servicing as a first justice or as a regional administrative justice.

Authorizes the Commissioner of Probation to include any injunction, whether temporary, preliminary, permanent or final, issued for civil and constitutional rights violations, in the statewide domestic violence record-keeping system; requires the clerk of the court to transmit any injunctive judgments to the commissioner of probation for entry into the statewide record-keeping system.

Establishes a permanent law revision commission to report at the close of each session of the legislature on defects and anachronisms in the law and recommended reforms and repeals; repeals certain laws against sex acts that have already been ruled unconstitutional by the SJC and removes references to them elsewhere; includes instead an offense for such acts carried out with the intent or a disregard for public exposure.

Amends GL 233:20D relative to crimes for which immunity may be granted, by rewriting the section substantially. What is taken out of the section is the list of crimes to which the grant of immunity is limited, thereby opening up the potential grant of immunity to a wider range of offenders; amends GL 233:20E, relative to the application for witness immunity, to allow the application to go to the superior court, and a district or juvenile court instead of just the superior court.

Rewrites and restructures language from over 20 sections of GL Chapter 90 addressing the definition of and penalties for various motor vehicle offenses; specific topics addressed include, but are not limited to operation of motor vehicles after suspension or revocation of a license; driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances; cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle resulting in injury; leaving the scene of an accident; implied consent to breath or blood tests while operating a motor vehicle; ignition interlock devices; motor vehicle forfeitures due to operating under the influence; aggravated OUI; child endangerment due to driving under the influence; bodily injury resulting from driving under the influence; misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide; manslaughter by motor vehicle; use of a motor vehicle without authority; use of a motor vehicle for street racing; and others; additionally bans operating a vessel on the water while under the influence.

Amends GL 276:9 to provide that a person who is arrested as a result of a trial default warrant shall only be subject to bail by a justice in the issuing court or a justice in the district in which such warrant was executed, and, prior to release, such person may be required to pay all or a portion of any cost imposed by the issuing justice, unless remitted by the presenting justice; requires that such type of trial default warrant shall be distinctly and separately identified as such on the docket sheet, in the Criminal Offender Registration Index, and in the Massachusetts Warrant System; defines such warrants. 

Adds a new Section 32O to GL Chapter 94C, which imposes an additional term of life imprisonment, with an additional possible fine of $500,000 for those simultaneously found guilty of trafficking in illegal controlled substances while also trafficking or conducting theft of firearms, rifles, shotguns or machine guns; prohibits continuing prosecutions related to such offenses without a finding; prohibits granting individuals convicted of such offenses furlough, work release, temporary release or reduction in sentence. 

Adds a new Section 11O to GL Chapter 12 (Department of the Attorney General, and the District Attorneys) that prohibit discrimination on the part of state, county or local governments because of a person’s race, color, national origin, or gender, or that "utilize criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of" discriminating on that basis. Any person aggrieved by conduct that violates subsection may bring a civil lawsuit, in a State court, against the offending unit of government (instead of having to go through MCAD). Depending on whether the discrimination is direct or indirect, a court finding violations may actual damages and punitive damages, or just actual damages; reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs may be recouped by a prevailing party. NOTE: These units of government are already covered by GL Chapter 151B, the Commonwealth's antidiscrimination statutes.

Amends various provisions of human services law to essentially exempt anybody hired by legal counsel as part of a legal representation from mandated reporter statutes; provides that various mandated reported statutes not apply to a person who is retained by an attorney to assist the attorney in his or her representation of an individual client or employed by a legal service provider to assist its attorneys in their joint representation. The statutes in question include GL 19A:15 (Elder Affairs), GL 19C:1 (Disabled Persons Protection Commission), GL 111:72G (home health care and hospice patients), and GL 119:51A (protection and care of children).

Amends GL 23:25, establishing and regulating the membership and operation of the council on the underground economy in the executive office of labor and workforce development; creates a reward equal to 10 percent of amounts collected for individuals who notify authorities of violations of the listed labor, wage and employment laws, including those regarding employer income tax withholding (GL 62B:2), payment of wages and salaries and sick time by employers (GL Chapter 149), unemployment insurance (GL Chapter 151A), and workers compensation (GL Chapter 152); conditions the reward on substantial contributions to prosecution of such offenses; prohibits reductions in awards granted to employees for unpaid earned wages; prohibits disclosure of information that can identify whistleblowers in such cases; prohibits employers from penalizing, retaliating or discharging any employee who seeks to enforce their rights.

Replaces GL Chapter 211F (Office of Community Corrections) in its entirety and establishes in its place an Office of Community Justice Programs; designates programmatic 'tracks' for pretrial services, reentry services, and intensive supervision with treatment; establishes conditions for court orders of pretrial services and intensive supervision; directs the office to develop a contracting process for community justice plans for the different programs; grants the executive director authority to suspend funding or assume administrative responsibility for any program 'not in compliance with standards' or a threat to public safety; directs the Commissioner of Probation to report annually on the community justice programs to the Governor and Legislature; amends provisions of GL Chapter 276 relative to bail and conditions of release to make a request for pretrial services inadmissible.

No summary available.

Submits the real estate title protection act, a substantial group of statutory changes relating to the recording of real estate titles, mortgages and other documents in Massachusetts, for the purpose of avoiding fraudulent conveyances, changing conditions surrounding residential property foreclosures, helping homeowners with mortgages know who holds the mortgages and notes on their property, and allowing municipalities to know who is responsible for real estate taxes and other property charges.Directs the attorney general to annually notify all registers of deeds of any changes to statutes, regulations and court decisions that might affect their responsibilities or operations; amends GL 36:12A (Refusal to Accept Certain Instruments for Recording), by establishing specific criteria in order to record a deed or other real estate document, including those related to font size, timelines for recording after execution unless certain exceptions are met, and inclusion of substantiating documents related to assignments and discharges.Establishes a new Section 54E in GL 183 which requires homeowner mortgage statements to include mortgagee, note owner and mortgage servicer contact information; requires the statements to identify the mortgage servicers as “the company that you pay”; requires mortgage statements to be accurate as of the day they are sent; amends GL 183:55 (Discharge of Mortgage), by requiring the note owner to send mortgagors the original note, with all allonges (attached papers), marked “paid in full” within 20 days; defines violation of these provisions as unfair or deceptive business practices under GL 93A.Amends numerous provisions related to foreclosure; repeals the ability to foreclose through possession of the land; requires 3 years of peaceable possession to bar redemption of the property by the mortgagee; allows redemption of property foreclosed through possession when the foreclosure occurred during the 3 years following enactment of the possession foreclosure ban; repeals provisions allowing a right of entry prior to breach of mortgage conditions and allowing the entry to enable foreclosure by possession; regulates notice provided to municipal tax assessors and collectors of any foreclosure on property; amends provisions related to affidavits filed by creditors ensuring that the mortgagee listed on a foreclosure action is the holder of the mortgage note; imposes penalties for non-compliance; establishes additional penalties for execution or recording of fraudulent real estate documents, as defined; establishes a 10 year statute of limitations from the date of document execution; directs the Attorney General to refer allegations of fraud to local district attorneys for investigation and prosecution.Requires the attorney General to provide notice to all e-recording entities, and to make forms for reporting alleged fraud available; directs the attorney general to file annual reports detailing the number of referrals, the number of enforcement cases brought and the status of each case.

Allows the aggregation of criminal instances of larceny, shoplifting, misuse of credit cards, fraudulent use of credit cards to obtain money, or buying or receiving stolen goods under GL Chapter 266 that occur within 180 days into a single count, to determine whether the aggregated value results in a misdemeanor or a felony charge. 

Adds new section to GL Chapter 123 (Mental Health) to establish a process by which family members or health care providers can seek a court order establishing a critical community health service treatment plan for individuals with certain serious mental health conditions; allows for a treatment plan to include health care and social services in a community setting, without continuous inpatient hospitalization; establishes eligibility criteria for such services, including lack of compliance with prior treatment plans and a risk of serious harm to the patient or others; details applications for critical community health services and court orders imposing them; regulates applications by supervising mental health professionals for non-compliance or when less restrictive appropriate treatment is available; further amends GL 123:9 to allow any individual to petition the court to terminate such services.

No summary available.

Establishes a prohibition on access to animals by convicted animal abusers, with the prohibition being at least five years for the first offense and at least fifteen years for the second offense. Adds procedures by which the animal abuser may petition a court to reduce the period of prohibition if meeting certain enumerated requirements.  A person found to be in violation of these sections may be fined up to  $1,000 for each animal held in unlawful ownership or possession and is to forfeit custody of any animal involved. Establishes that any fines be deposited into the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund (GL 10:35WW).

No summary available.

Prohibits discrimination in public and charter schools based on height and weight; amends GL Chapter 151B, Chapter 151C and Chapter 272 (anti-discrimination) to prohibit discrimination based on height or weight unless for the purposes of compliance with any state, federal, or industry safety standard.

Amends GL 258C (Compensation to victims of violent crime) and GL 149 (Employment protections) to allow for compensation to victims of human trafficking.

No summary available.

Defines criminal majority as 19 years of age, as 20 years of age effective July 1, 2022, and  as 21 years of age effective July 1, 2024; amends various provisions of the general laws to apply the age of criminal majority instead of the age of 18, including, those related to criminal offender record information, exclusion of offenses from applications, exemption of arrests from classification as public records, sentencing under the controlled substances act, bans on possession of marijuana, delinquent children, adjudication as a delinquent child or youthful offender, and criminal laws related to violence against another, carrying and sale of violent weapons and firearms, and probation. 

Makes a number of both substantive and technical amendments intended to enhance the protection of animals. In particular: Establishes a task force to complete a systematic review of the laws pertaining to animal cruelty and protection; Prohibits the sale of a puppy or kitten that is under 8 weeks of age, with violations to result in fines of $100 for each puppy or kitten transferred; Prohibits the sale or exchange of any dog or cat on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park or other recreation area, flea market or other outdoor market; Prohibits anyone from owning or keeping animals subject to “cruel conditions,” and defines those conditions; Establishes a prohibition on access to animals by convicted animal abusers; Establishes provisions to humanely protected a neglected animal, including provisions for removal from the home; Exempts dogs or cats from the definition of farming or agriculture; Allows an accused person to make a “second” phone call from detention to make arrangements for the care of a dependent person or pet; Makes the “dangerousness” provisions of the bail statute applicable to persons detained who are accused of abusing animals as well as people; Amends provisions of the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund.

Amends GL 6:172 relative to the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system to establish that anyone may request that the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services return a letter certifying that the person has no available criminal offender record information. If there is indeed no criminal records, DCJIS is to certify so within 5 days of receiving the request; the person receiving the certification may subsequently provide it to anyone who has requested such a certification.

Amends GL 4:13 relative to legal notices required to be published in newspapers and electronic publications, to establish that for an online-only newspaper that does not maintain a print publication, publication on its own website and on a statewide website will satisfy the publication requirement of the statute.

Amends GL 6:220 (Facial recognition searches) to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology. As rewritten the section now provides that it is unlawful — absent express authorization — for a law enforcement agency or officer to acquire, possess, access, use, assist with the use of or provide resources for the development or use of any biometric surveillance technology. No information obtained in violation of this section will be admissible in any criminal, civil, administrative or other proceeding. in addition, it will be unlawful for a law enforcement agency of officer to use a biometric surveillance system to infer a person’s emotions or affect, or to use a biometric surveillance system to analyze moving images or video data. However, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles may acquire, possess, or use facial recognition technology to verify an individual’s identity when issuing licenses, permits or other documents; in addition, the Department of State Police may perform a facial recognition search for four enumerated purposes. These exceptions include: to execute a warrant duly authorized by a judge based on probable cause that an unidentified or unconfirmed individual in an image has committed a felony; upon reasonable belief that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any individual or group of people requires the performance of a facial recognition search without delay; to identify a deceased person; or on behalf of another law enforcement agency or a federal agency All persons charged with a crime who were identified using a facial recognition search must be provided notice thereof; law enforcement agencies and district attorneys must make readily available to defendants and their attorneys in criminal prosecutions all records and information pertaining to any facial recognition searches performed or requested during the course of the investigation. Each non-law enforcement public agency shall document, as a public record, each facial recognition search requested and each facial recognition search performed by its public officials and report this information quarterly to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. 

Prohibits the transfer of any dog or cat for the purpose of slaughter or consumption; imposes criminal penalties for violations.

Amends GL 6:172 (maintenance of criminal record offender record information in electronic format), by defining pending criminal charges, available for disclosure, as those without an entered disposition; exempts pending misdemeanor charges against individuals without any prior criminal records from classification as a pending criminal charge, unless the pending charge is one otherwise excluded from from expungement; additionally defines offenses related to violation of abuse prevention orders and domestic violence as felonies rather than misdemeanors.

Amends GL 127:130 (granting of parole permits) by changing the issuance of parole when there is a reasonable likelihood of the prisoner living without violating the law on release, to mandatory issuance of parole unless there is a reasonable likelihood that the prisoner will violate the law on release; requires granting a parole permit on the first date of eligibility; requires evaluation of risk of re-offending using  structured, actuarially-based parole guidelines and the findings of a validated risk and needs assessment tool; requires use of risk reduction programs provided by the department of mental health and the department of public health if appropriate; requires accommodations, supports and services for prisoners with disabilities that might impair their successful release; additionally requires securing medically appropriate placements for prisoners who need specialized care. 

Amends various provisions of the criminal laws of the commonwealth, by repealing language prohibiting parole for individuals convicted of murder in the first degree (GL 265:2); allows the courts to impose a minimum sentence of at least 35 years incarceration or life without parole for convictions for murder in the first degree (GL 279:24); further allows the courts to permit parole eligibility after 35 years incarceration for habitual criminals (GL 279:25). 

Amends GL 127:39, the statute governing segregated correctional units, to limit the amount of time an inmate under the age of 21 may be confined in a segregated unit. Such inmates may only be confined for an initial 48 hour period if the commissioner authorizes such transfer due to the inmate causing an immediate and substantial threat. The segregated confinement may be continued for another 24 hours if the superintendent submits a report detailing why the inmate remains an immediate and substantial threat to the rest of the prison population.

Amends criminal harassment statute (GL Chapter 265) concerning distribution of visual material of nude or partially nude individuals or individuals engaging in sexual activity; classifies distribution as giving, selling, transferring, disseminating, publishing, uploading, circulating, broadcasting, or any other form of transmission, electronic or otherwise; imposes a fine up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment in a house of correction up to 2½ years, for distributing such material; lists exemptions, including where the distribution is in the public interest or where it is voluntary and expected; amends GL Chapter 272 to provide for delinquency adjudications of juveniles charged with distributing child pornography under that chapter; amends GL Chapter 12 (Attorney General) to direct AG to develop and implement a comprehensive educational diversion program to provide teenagers with information about the legal consequences of and the penalties for transmitting indecent visual depictions; amends GL Chapter 119 to provide that a child alleged to be a juvenile delinquent by violating child pornography laws be diverted to the Attorney General's educational diversion program; amends GL Chapter 71 (Elementary and Secondary Education) to require the department to encourage school districts to implement instruction in media literacy skills at all grade levels.

Amends the confidentiality of medical peer review proceedings under GL 111:203, by permitting an injured person who is the subject of the proceedings, or their proxy, next of kin in case of death, and/or their attorney or representative, to obtain access to proceeding records; repeals bans on subjecting such records to subpoena or discovery or use in judicial or administrative proceedings; permits the use of such records in any judicial or administrative proceeding in which a physician or medical provider who is the subject of the peer review is additionally a party to a medical malpractice action; regulates the admission of peer review records; permits people who testify in peer review proceedings to participate in subsequent judicial, administrative or medical malpractice actions.

Repeals several sections of GL Chapter 272 (Crimes against chastity, morality, decency and good order) which prohibit engaging in, or soliciting for, prostitution; additionally, rewrites GL 276:100E to provide for the expungement of prostitution and marijuana related records.

Adds new section 53B to GL Chapter 272, establishing a Human Trafficking Prevention and Sex Worker Project, tasked with developing and implementing a strategic plan to prevent, reduce, and eliminate human trafficking while protecting the health, safety, and autonomy of sex workers by November 30, 2023; aims to reduce the vulnerability of people who experience human trafficking and/or engage in criminal sex work, with emphasis on free or low-cost housing, reproductive healthcare, childcare, legal aid, harm reduction for substance use, safe sex resources, and educational opportunities; establishes a committee to study decriminalizing sex work; repeals language from several sections of GL 272 imposing criminal penalties on "common nightwalkers" and provides for existing convictions to be expunged; and adds new section 34B to GL Chapter 94C to protect those reporting a crime in good-faith from being charged for possession of controlled substances, sex for fee, loitering, soliciting, conspiracy for any of the above, or violation of parole. 

No summary available.

Adds a new Section 22D to GL Chapter 265, mandating punishment of any mandated reporter, individual with supervisory authority or disciplinary authority over vulnerable adults or individuals responsible for transporting vulnerable adults for sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with, or commits indecent assault and battery upon any vulnerable adult; imposes a term of imprisonment up to 20 years for initial cases of sexual intercourse with a vulnerable adult; imposes a term of imprisonment for an indeterminate number of years for second and subsequent offenses; imposes a term of imprisonment up to ten years for assault and battery on a vulnerable adult, and a term of imprisonment up to twenty years for second and subsequent offenses; prohibits consent of the vulnerable adult to sexual intercourse as a defense; defines vulnerable adults as individuals fourteen years of age or older who are admitted to a mental health facility or to a community based or residential facility, who are receiving community based services through the Department of Developmental Services or the Department of Mental Health or the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, or are residents of a long-term care facilities; defines sexual assault of vulnerable adults as offenses subject to the sex offender registration.

Adds a new Section 38B½ to GL Chapter 127 (Officers and Inmates of Penal and Reformatory Institutions) to impose criminal penalties on any person in the custody of a correctional facility who possesses a dangerous weapon; defines dangerous weapon; requires that any sentence of imprisonment for this violation shall begin from and after all sentences currently outstanding and unserved. 

Amends GL 6:178E (transmission of registration data to criminal history systems board, police departments, and FBI), by prohibiting anyone required to register with the sex offender registry board from using any other name except the one under which they are registered; defines using alternative names as subject to fines and/or imprisonment under GL 6:178H (failure to register, verify information or provide notice of change of address; providing false information; penalties); additionally prohibits sex offenders from adopting a surname pursuant to marriage under GL 46:1D or changing their name under GL 210:12.

Adds a new Section 11 to GL Chapter 151B (Prohibition against discrimination) to prohibit a settlement agreement or a provision within a settlement agreement that prevents the disclosure of information related to certain enumerated legal claims filed in a civil action or a complaint filed in an administrative action.

Adds a new Section 76 to GL Chapter 3, establishing permanent commission on sexual assault and domestic violence service providers, with mission   to study the practices and service standards currently in place for sexual assault and domestic violence service providers, including any organization, board or program that provides specialized programs, support, residential programs or intervention services for victims of sexual assault or domestic violence and to put forth recommendations for uniform minimum service standards for sexual assault and domestic violence programs throughout the commonwealth; specifies membership of commission.

Adds a new Section 12L½  to GL Chapter 112 requiring that patients undergoing a chemical abortion involving the two-drug process mifepristone and misoprostol be informed that the process could be reversed if the patient changes her mind; directs DPH to maintain on its website information and assistance regarding the reversal of a chemical abortion; includes a written statement that must be provided to the patient when the first drug is administered regarding the possibility of reversing or halting the procedure; mandates that in the case of a medical emergency, the physician must explain to the patient the reasons why an abortion is necessary to prevent death or serious injury; and outlines penalties for failure to comply with these provisions.

Amends GL 112 (Public Health) to prohibit abortions after the second trimester unless the procedure is performed in a hospital and the physician and two consulting physicians certify, and so enter in the hospital record of the female, that in their medical opinion, the continuation of the pregnancy is likely to result in the death of the female; if such an abortion is performed, requires he hospital to provide life-saving measures and equipment and the physician performing the abortion to employ the life-saving measures and equipment to preserve the life and health of the mother and to save the life of the unborn child, if the unborn child exhibits any clearly visible, audible, or otherwise discernable evidence of viability.

Adds a new GL Chapter 112A prohibiting any person from purposefully perform or induce or attempt to induce an abortion on a pregnant woman, if the person has knowledge that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion, in whole or in part, because of a test result indicating Down syndrome in an unborn child; a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome in an unborn child; or any other reason to believe that an unborn child has Down syndrome; provides for criminal prosecution and revocation of medical license of such persons and makes such persons civilly liable; provides that a pregnant woman pregnant woman on whom an abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced is not guilty.

No summary available.

Requires houses of correction and state prisons to maintain a partnership with a public institution of higher education and to consult with the department of public health concerning nutrition standards; establishes commissions to investigate health care of prisoners and effect of disciplinary unit confinement on prisoners.

Prohibits any state agency or public agency from undertaking the listed activities related to increasing the number of or capacity of correctional facilities in the commonwealth; specifically bans studies, plans, designs, acquisitions, leases, site searches or construction of new correctional facilities, or expanding the capacity of existing facilities; includes conversions and renovations within the ban; provides for the expiration of the moratorium 5 years after passage.

This legislation establishes certain rights to telephone service for inmates in all correctional and other penal institutions in the Commonwealth. In particular, the bill: Requires the Department of Correction and county sheriffs to establish adequate infrastructure to provide voice communication services to persons committed to state correctional facilities, state prisons and county correctional facilities; Establishes that the provision of these services is to be free of charge to the inmates; Requires access to voice communication services at all times in housing units, without interfering with programming or procedures; Requires enabling voice communication services via tablets in facilities providing such technology; Permits supplementing voice communication services with other forms, like video and electronic communication, without replacing voice services; Prohibits limiting or prohibiting in-person contact visits; Declares void any contract provision in communication services contracts that provides revenue, financial incentives, or commissions to law enforcement; Mandates that DOC and the sheriffs renegotiate contracts within 90 days to remove offending provisions; Requires the renegotiated contracts to reflect reduced costs due to the removal of revenue-sharing provisions; Encourages maximizing purchasing power and consolidating contracts after renegotiation; Mandates reporting on the status of communication service contracts and plans for consolidation to relevant committees within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

No summary available.

Gives registers of probate authority over the selection, appointment and management of personnel; provides for the appointment of a first assistant registrar in each county; increases the number of assistant registrars and assistant judicial case managers in counties other than Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire; sets salaries of personnel in registries of probate; eliminates position of associate deputy register of probate prospectively.

Amends GL 221:46 to clarify that the section is not prohibiting a trust, corporation, or limited liability company from representing itself in summary process proceedings. 

Allows any person domiciled in the Commonwealth to bring an action for declaratory and equitable relief against any person for the protection of the air, water, and other natural resources from pollution, impairment, degradation or destruction in violation of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act.

Amends provisions of GL 94C:32A-32I relative to various drug offenses by striking out dozens of mandatory minimum punishments; clarifies that this will not affect any sentence existing prior to its effective date.

No summary available.

Amends GL 127:133A (eligibility for parole) by repealing language banning parole for prisoners confined to the hospital at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Bridgewater, prisoners serving a life sentence for murder in the first degree over the age of 18 at the time of the murder, prisoners serving more than 1 life sentence arising out of separate and distinct incidents that occurred at different times; allows parole for prisoners serving more than 1 life sentence arising out of separate and distinct incidents that occurred at different times 25 years after the start of the second or most recent sentence. Additionally, amends GL 279:24 (indeterminate sentence to state prison) by repealing language banning parole for sentences of life imprisonment for murder in the first degree; requires a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for murder in the first degree; requires a reduced sentence of 15 to 20 years for individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time of the murder; requires a reduced sentence of 10 to 12 years for individuals convicted of felony murder or joint venture for individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 at the time of the murder; further allows parole after 25 years for habitual criminals sentenced two or more times for the detailed felony offenses. Bans the imprisonment of any individual for more than 25 years without a parole hearing at 25 years of incarceration; directs the department of corrections to establish a restorative justice program for individuals sentenced to more than 25 years, for the development of reconciliation plans.    

Amends GL 265:13A governing assault and battery to increase penalties in cases where the victim is a police officer or public safety employee, teacher or other school employee, a registered nurse, or police dog.

Amends GL Chapter 265:13D to increase the penalties for individuals committing assault and battery against school sports officials by including said school sports officials as public employees. 

Amends GL 265 (Crimes against the person) to establish a mandatory minimum incarceration sentence of one year for any person convicted of assault and battery upon a corrections officer, or other Department of Corrections staff person when such person is engaged in the performance of their duties at the time of such assault and battery and who by such assault and battery causes serious bodily injury.

Amends GL 150E:1 (Labor Relations: Public Employees) by prohibiting any person employed by the Commonwealth in the Management Classification Series, below the level of M-VI, from being excluded from the coverage of this law unless either the Department of Labor Relations determines that the actual duties of the particular position or positions meet the test of a managerial or an agreement exists with the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit that covers similar types of work. 

Amends GL 136:6 regarding payment of employees on Sundays, and as modified by the so-called Grand Bargain bill passed in 2018 (SES 2018:121), by eliminating the gradual step-down from the payment of one and one-half times an employee’s hourly wage for work performed on Sundays; returns the payment rate to one and one-half percent from the initial step-down to one and four-tenths percent; eliminates all subsequent step-downs, including the step-down to regular time paid for hourly work performed on Sundays.

Amends GL 149:26 (Employment in public works) to set a schedule by which an increasing amount of employment in public works shall be performed by apprentices in bona fide apprentice training programs.

Amends GL 7:4J (Human Resources Division) to require every agency and institution of the Commonwealth to transmit to said Division all employment opportunities, notices, and postings, excluding positions subject to GL 30:46D (Promotions from Positions Classified under Civil Service Provisions), GL Chapter 31 (Civil Service) and GL Chapter 150E (Collective Bargaining), including notices of job opportunities, new positions and vacancies; requires the Division to immediately place all such information in the statewide employment computerized referral system; prohibits any position from being filled without full compliance with these requirements.

Amends GL 149:148 relative to the bi-weekly payment of wages by adding provisions that establish that any employer paying wages by payroll card account must provide the employee with the ability to make at least one withdrawal from the payroll card account in each pay period, but not more frequently than once per week, without charge, for any amount up to the full wage. Any fees associated with usage of the card after the card's initial transaction must be disclosed in advance to the employee, except for 3rd party fees not within control of the employer. Employees who receive wages by credit to a payroll card account must be provided with a means of checking their payroll card account balances, either, through an automated telephone system, or online through the use of the Internet, without cost, irrespective of the number of inquiries made.

Authorizes an employee organization representing employees of the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions to elect, if their collective bargaining agreement has been extended as a result of an evergreen clause, so-called, for periods longer than one year to adopt a salary escalator equivalent to the Consumer Price Index for the previous calendar year; requires approval by a municipality's legislative body.

Amends GL 252:14D relative to Personnel Decisions by Mosquito Control Projects and Mosquito Control Districts, to establish collective bargaining rights to employees of the mosquito control projects and mosquito control districts within the meaning of GL c.150E (Labor Relations: Public Employees).

Amends GL 150E:9, relative to the declaration of an impasse in negotiations relative to public employee unions, by declaring that after six months an impasse will be automatically declared — as opposed to the current law that it be declared after a “reasonable” period of time, and further amends GL 150E:9A by allowing public employees to go on strike, with the exception of public safety employees. Under current law, no public employee may go on strike.

Adds a new Section 105E to GL Chapter 149 to mandate that covered employers and their agents disclose pay range for a particular position on posting or advertisement of that position and when asked by applicant or current employee; orders employers to disclose pay range for promotion or transfer when offering new position to employee; lists penalties for employers violating this section; and directs the Attorney General to enforce and make a public awareness campaign to inform employers of this new policy.

Amends GL 23:9N (Department of Unemployment Assistance Advisory Council) to increase membership from 6 to 7, amends background qualifications of members; provides for failure of Governor to appoint a member in case of vacancy by delegating selection to remaining Council members; requires Council to meet at least 6 times per year; increases per meeting stipend from $40 to $100; increases maximum yearly stipend from $2400 to $3000.

Adds new section 178A to GL 149 (Wage and hour laws) setting out procedure for payment of remaining wages owed to survivors of a deceased employee.

Amends the Apprenticeship program as it is regulated in chapter 23. Among the changes that are made include: Establishing a Department of Apprenticeship Standards in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development; Establishing an “apprenticeship term”, which can be through  a time-based model, showing completion of the industry standard of at least 2,000 hours of reasonably continuous employment; or either (2) a competency-based model, showing skill acquisition through the individual apprentice’s demonstration of acquired skills and knowledge; or (3) a hybrid model, which blends the time-based and competency-based model for apprenticeships in expansion industries; Defining “skills-based competencies” as demonstrable manual, mechanical, or technical skills, and related knowledge, as specified by an occupational standard; Defining “expansion industries” to include industries underrepresented in apprenticeship programs that EOL identifies as critical to a regional labor market economy; Requiring a a corresponding progressively increasing scale of wages for the apprentice, during the period of the apprenticeship. The bill makes other technical changes in various other provisions of chapter 23 to implement the changes in the apprenticeship program.

Amends GL 175M:8, relative to the required payment for family and medical leave, requiring the Department of Family and Medical Leave to publish all hearing decisions relative to the failure of an employer to pay on their website, provided that the Department will redact personally identifying or medical information.

Amends various provisions of GL c.175M (Family and Medical Leave) to make a series of largely technical amendments. In particular the bill: Replaces references to the federal 1099-MISC from with references to the new 1099-NEC form, which is apparently the new form for document the tax earnings of independent contractors; Requires documenting the race and ethnicity, and primary language of beneficiaries on certain reports related to the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund; Requires that those reports  also include details on the annual public education campaign conducted through the Family and Employment Security Trust Fund; and, Requires the Department to establish a publicly accessible online dashboard using updated reporting information, and enumerates information that must be included on the dashboard.

Amends GL 151A (Unemployment insurance) by amending the list of interest groups required to be given notice of quarterly public hearings; requires that claimants have opportunity for direct interaction with staff, rather than face-to-face interaction with staff, at orientations.

Amends GL151A:14P (Unemployment insurance) to expand list of entities entitled to receive workforce information from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and to require DUA to develop a standardized form for requesting such information; establishes a task force to improve state workforce data infrastructure and promote data use.

Amends GL c.25 (Division of Energy Resources) to add a new §18 (Clean Energy Workforce Standards and Accountability Act). (Please note that there is already a §18, and that these provisions should probably be enacted as a separate chapter.) The new section establishes that every request for proposals, grant application, or solicitation offering funding from the Commonwealth or other public entity for the purpose of furthering the Commonwealth’s net zero emissions goals must provide complete and accurate responses and disclosures to specific certification and disclosure requirements including (but not limited to) documentation reflecting the Applicant’s demonstrated commitment to workforce development and workforce diversity. In addition owners of supply chain facilities that provide goods and services to be used in the construction and maintenance of renewable energy generation, distribution, and transmission infrastructure must agree to enter into fully executed labor peace agreements with a bona fide labor organization that actively represents employees. Amends GL c.149 (Labor and Industries) by adding three sections which establish that no public authority (including the Commonwealth) may agree to pipeline construction, reconstruction, installation, alteration or repair work by a gas distribution company, on electrical utility infrastructure, or on renewable energy generation, distribution, transmission infrastructure, unless the agreement contains a stipulation requiring prescribed rates of wages; that any such approval which does not contain that stipulation shall be considered invalid; that violations of these provisions will subject the violator to civil sanctions; and that there be a private right of action for employees to enforce these provisions. Adds new provisions to GL c.23J (Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center) that require the establishment of a Clean Energy Workforce Development Plan. Finally, the bill also makes technical changes in several other General Laws that help to implement its intentions.

Adds provisions to GL c.164 (Manufacture and Sale of Gas and Electricity) requiring every utility company to develop, and periodically amend a comprehensive plan for the hiring, retention, and training of a workforce through 2050, sufficient to meet the Commonwealth’s net zero emissions goals. “Dual” fuel companies must also provide training and employment opportunities to workers who may be displaced by the Company’s compliance with net zero emissions goals. DPU, on its own initiative or at the behest of the Attorney General, may initiate an investigation to determine the sufficiency of a Company’s plans with regard to meeting the Commonwealth’s net zero emission requirements. Adds provisions to GL c.123 (Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development) that establish a “Just Transition Office” within the Department of Career Services, intended to ensure that workers employed in the energy sector — who are displaced due to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions — can have immediate access to employment and training opportunities in clean energy industries and related fields.  Adds provisions to GL c.151A (Unemployment Insurance) to require up to two years of additional unemployment compensation for workers in the fossil fuel industry who are laid off because of the transition to the clean energy sector. The provisions are to be funded by a contribution — to be determined by DUA — into a new Clean Energy Just Transition Unemployment Trust Fund. Makes certain technical corrections in the regulations relative to performance based rate schemes that utilities may impose, including requiring utilities to provide more specific information to DPU. Amends provisions relative to plans for replacement or improvement of aging or leaking natural gas infrastructure, by adding requirements to ensure gas companies train a sufficient, highly skilled, stable workforce to repair and maintain the safety and reliability of its pipeline for the duration of its useful life.

Adds several new sections to GL Chapter 149 (Labor and industries) to establish accountability in labor contracting and subcontracting; requires employers to provide all employees with the listed employment information within 10 days of hiring, including pay rates, the basis for the rates, (i.e.: hourly, weekly, biweekly, salary, piece, etc.), the regular pay day, the name of the employer, allowances claimed and employer contact information; subjects a lead contractor to joint and several civil liability with contractors and subcontractors for wages, treble damages, interest, penalties or attorney’s fees for a subcontractors wage theft. Authorizes a relator to bring suit to enforce the listed labor violations; defines a relator as  a whistleblower or a representative organization that acts as a plaintiff in a public enforcement actions; authorizes courts to issue penalties that could otherwise be imposed by the attorney general in such cases; regulates procedures for such cases, including distribution of penalties imposed. Amends provisions relating to the right of employees to protect their rights related to wages, hours and payment under GL 149:150 or related to minimum fair wages under GL 151:19; defines adverse actions by employers against employees protecting those rights as subject to civil proceedings, and entitles employees to actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief or any other appropriate relief; establishes a rebuttable presumption that an employer who discriminates against employees for protecting their rights is liable.

Amends GL 151:1A regarding overtime pay and excluded employment by repealing language that excludes the listed jobs from overtime pay requirements, including residential caretakers and janitors who receive living quarters, switchboard operators of public exchanges, seasonal employees, and employees working at hotel, motel, motor court and other hospitality establishments, gas stations, restaurants, garages, and hospitals, sanitoriums, convalescent or nursing homes, infirmaries, rest homes, charitable homes for the aged and non-profit schools or colleges. Prohibits classification of adjunct or non-tenure track professors at colleges or universities as exempt executive, administrative or professional person or qualified trainee for such position under the overtime pay laws. Establishes a new GL 151A:1C, defining the overtime pay salary threshold under the for executive, administrative or professional exemption; establishes an initial threshold of $35,000 starting January 1, 2022, with a step up to $64,000 January 1, 2024; starting January 1, 2025, the threshold will be at least the annual earnings of a full-time employee employed for 2080 hours per year at 2 times the minimum wage or the overtime threshold rate from the preceding year increased by the percentage annual increase, of the second quartile of the United States department of labor usual weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers. 

Amends GL Chapter 30B (Uniform Procurement Act) to add a new section that requires awarding agencies to ensure that solicitations or invitations include representations by the offeror, made to the best of their knowledge and belief, of whether there was any Occupational Safety and Health Administration citation, notice, decision, or civil judgment rendered against the offeror within the preceding 4-year period for workplace safety violations; limits this disclosure to procurement contracts for supplies and services, including construction, that are estimated to cost more than $50,000.

Amends GL 151:7, by increasing the minimum cash wage paid to tipped employees from $4.35 to $6.45 effective January 1, 2021; increases the minimum cash wage paid to tipped employees to $7.95 effective January 1, 2022, to $9.45 effective January 1, 2023, to $10.45 effective January 1, 2024, to $12.45 effective January 1, 2025, to $13.95 effective January 1, 2026, and wages equal to the standard minimum wage January 1, 2027; repeals existing increases to the minimum cash wage paid to tipped employees passed as part of the Grand Bargain law passed in 2018 (2018:121). NOTE: The current online version of GL 151:7 states the minimum cash wage paid to tipped employees as $3.75 per hour. This was increased to $4.35 per hour in section 22 of the Grand Bargain law.

Adds new GL chapter 149B to govern collection, use and sale by employers of worker data, including electronic monitoring data and use of automated decision systems to act on data collected; establishes fines for violations.

Amends GL 149:44D, adds a new Section 22 to GL Chapter 149A, and a new Section 39M to GL Chapter 30 to require all contractors to participate in an apprentice training program approved under either state or federal law and to certify its compliance with the attorney general; provides that effective 1/1/2023, apprenticeship programs must have graduated apprentices to journey worker status for 3 of past 5 years; provides that law is effective for contracts issued more than 90 days after effective date. NOTE: New draft of HB1620 of 2019-2020, which amended different sections of the GL, omitted reference to approval under federal law and limited applicability to public constructions projects of greater than $7.5 million.

Amends GL 30:58 to qualify correctional employees who receive bodily injuries resulting from violence either in their performance of normal duties or performance of assigned duties outside the correctional facility as eligible to receive their regular salary and the difference between the weekly cash benefits to which they would be entitled, without such absence affecting their sick leave credits.  

Amends GL 152:36, the statute governing damages for specific injuries under workers' compensation, by changing the compensation for bodily disfigurement from $15,000 to a floating calculation equal to 30 times the weekly wage in the Commonwealth under GL 151A:29; allows such compensation for purely scar-based disfigurement on any part of the body.

Amends GL 149:148 (Timeliness of wage payments to employees) to strike language exempting hospitals from requirement that employers pay employees in accordance with timeliness standards.

Allocates funds collected under an employers per employee contributions to the workforce competitiveness trust fund under GL 29:2WWW; adds a new Section 14L½ to GL Chapter 151A which calculates contributions made by employers on a per employee basis; requires contributions equal to 0.028% of wages for the first twenty employees, 0.042% of wages for the next eighty, and 0.056% of wages for all additional employees; requires the director of unemployment assistance to file an annual report regarding the collection of workforce training contributions and workforce competitiveness trust fund contributions by March of each year.

Amends GL 151A:14L (Work force training contribution paid by employers) by removing the commissioner's discretion over the workforce training contribution rate and depositing any contributions in excess of $22,000,000 into the Workforce Competitiveness Fund; directs the commissioner to report annually to the legislature the quarterly total contributions and number of employers contributing.