This bill establishes a special education financing commission to study Massachusetts' special education funding system and recommend improvements for long-term fiscal health. The commission must evaluate current funding structures and propose changes to achieve specific goals, including ensuring sufficient funds for high-quality education, equitable distribution based on student needs and district resources, and predictable funding with 90% reimbursement for transportation and circuit breaker costs. Key policy changes include raising transportation reimbursement to 90% and lowering the approved costs threshold for funding from $45,793 to $37,120 per student. The bill directly affects school districts, students with disabilities, and their families by aiming to make special education funding more stable, equitable, and sufficient. The commission must submit recommendations by June 2025.
SD 1385 amends two sections of Massachusetts law to expand the types of funding available for victim services. It adds "gifts, grants and donations" from both public and private sources to the list of revenues that can be used for victim service programs. This change directly affects organizations providing victim support services by allowing them to access a broader pool of state funds. The bill modifies existing legal definitions (in Sections 66 and 66A of Chapter 10) to include these new revenue sources without creating new funding streams. It is a procedural update to clarify how existing funds can be allocated.
This bill creates a state grant program to improve cellular connectivity in Massachusetts public schools. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will distribute grants to eligible school districts that apply, with funding subject to state budget approval. The program requires the department to conduct a two-year study evaluating grant effectiveness and making recommendations for future funding distribution. The bill directly affects school districts seeking to upgrade their wireless infrastructure, with no changes to existing student or staff responsibilities.
This bill, "Katherine's Law," creates specific protections for domestic abuse victims and their children across multiple systems. It extends tax filing deadlines for victims who shared a joint return with an abuser, expands MassHealth coverage for 12 months regardless of income for victims and their children, and changes custody rules to create a rebuttable presumption against awarding custody to abusive parents. The law also modifies housing petitions and mandates that courts consider abuse determinations when reviewing child custody cases. These provisions directly affect individuals and minors who have been determined to have suffered abuse from a family or household member, as defined under Chapter 209A.
This bill requires the state auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit of the unemployment assistance department's fraud prevention during the 2019-2021 pandemic. The audit will examine current policies, calculate state and taxpayer costs from unemployment fraud, and provide recommendations to improve fraud prevention. The auditor must publish a public report by December 31, 2026. The bill directly affects the unemployment department and state taxpayers by assessing fraud-related expenses.
This bill (HD 2393) proposes establishing a regulated framework for internet gaming in Massachusetts. It would authorize the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to license a limited number of operators to offer online casino-style games (like poker, slots, and blackjack) via secure platforms on devices like smartphones or computers. The bill requires that internet gaming operations be connected to physical casinos to support tourism and state revenue, with all licensed operators subject to strict regulation. It defines key terms like "internet gaming" and "adjusted gross revenue" to clarify how the system would operate and generate state income.
This bill creates a commemorative pin to honor veterans who serve as emergency responders (firefighters, police, EMTs, and emergency medical volunteers) in Massachusetts. It amends existing law to add the pin as a recognition for those with dual service in the military and emergency response. The Commonwealth’s art commission must approve the pin design, and the state legislature will fund its production through the FY2025 budget. The pin acknowledges the "dual sacrifices" of these individuals without creating new legal obligations or benefits.
This bill creates the PFAS Research and Development Public Safety Fund to support firefighter safety. The fund, administered by the Secretary of Public Safety and Security, will receive dedicated appropriations, grants, gifts, and investment income. Unspent funds carry forward annually instead of reverting to the general budget. The fund specifically finances research and development of PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear that meets NFPA safety standards while improving protection against combustion hazards and reducing maintenance needs. It directly affects firefighters by funding safer gear materials.
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Public Safety
HD 138 creates new definitions for "Health equity" and "Priority population" (communities facing health disparities) within Massachusetts health law. It requires state health agencies to appoint a chief health equity officer, integrate health equity into all agency duties, and establish specific expenditure targets for primary care and behavioral health services (a 30% increase above baseline through 2026). The bill mandates annual reports tracking health inequities, including data on costs of disparities and strategies to reduce them, and requires public hearings before setting new spending targets. These changes directly affect state health agencies, boards, and healthcare entities managing public health funds.
This bill imposes a $2.00 embarkation fee per passenger on all ferry trips (except those with <100 passengers) departing from ports in Barnstable, Nantucket, Dukes, or Bristol counties. Ferry operators must pay these fees quarterly to the state revenue commissioner, who distributes the funds: 62.5% to the city/town operating the port, 25% to fire districts serving port areas, and 12.5% to neighboring towns sharing harbors. Exemptions apply to passengers with valid commuter, student, or school-related ferry fares. The collected funds must be deposited into special accounts for local harbor operations, public safety, or infrastructure improvements directly related to ferry service impacts.
