Senate, January 15, 2026 -- The committee on Election Laws to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 531) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Joanne M. Comerford, Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to provide a local option for ranked choice voting in municipal elections, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2911).
Senate, January 15, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1596) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to monitor dry casks of spent nuclear fuel, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2853).
By Representative Gallagher of Bridgewater, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dennis C. Gallagher for legislation to establish tax exemptions for certain veteran's clubs and organizations. Revenue.
Senate, January 15, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1611) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Paul W. Mark for legislation to offer natural organic reduction as an environmentally-friendly burial alternative; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1612) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to burial alternatives that protect the environment, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2851).
Senate, January 15, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1597) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2852).
By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to amend the sewer district in the town of Colrain. Environment and Natural Resources.
Order relative to authorizing the committee on Financial Services to make an investigation and study of certain House documents relative to insurance and banking issues
Order relative to authorizing the committee on Environment and Natural Resources to make an investigation and study of certain House documents relative to animal testing, striped bass, horn trafficking and parks
Order relative to authorizing the committee on Election Laws to make an investigation and study of a certain House document relative to the nomination process for candidates for town meeting in the town of Milford
Order relative to authorizing the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to make an investigation and study of a certain House document relative to foster care recruitment
This bill (H 4910) affects families receiving public assistance (like TANF) who have child support obligations. It requires recipients to cooperate with child support agencies to establish or enforce support orders, with sanctions for non-cooperation unless exemptions apply (e.g., abuse, safety risks, or child's best interest). Key provisions include: (1) creating an income disregard for the first $100/month (one child) or $200/month (two+ children) in child support collected, preventing these amounts from reducing their public assistance benefits; and (2) extending this disregard to former recipients and payments on past-due support, starting July 2027. The changes aim to ensure child support payments directly benefit the family receiving assistance.
This bill creates an annual diaper allowance for families receiving state assistance. It requires the Department of Transitional Assistance to issue a one-time payment for each child under age 3 (as defined by existing law) starting September 1st each year, with a supplemental payment issued later. The exact amount depends on available funding, and the department must create implementing regulations within six months. The allowance directly affects low-income families enrolled in state assistance programs who have young children.
