Technology

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 921: An Act relative to surveillance pricing in grocery stores

This bill prohibits grocery stores and food departments (defined as locations selling 100+ food items) from adjusting prices or suggesting items based on biometric data (like fingerprints or voiceprints) collected on their premises. It directly affects retailers that use such data for pricing or product recommendations. The law allows voluntary biometric identity verification at checkout but bans all other use of biometric data for personalized pricing. Violations are treated as unfair business practices under Chapter 93A, with penalties of actual damages or $5,000 per violation.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits biometric data use for pricing, restricting tech application to protect consumer privacy and prevent surveillance-based pricing practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3138: An Act establishing a tax for online advertising

This bill would impose a 6.25% excise tax on digital advertising services (like banner ads, search ads, and app ads) sold to users with IP addresses located in Massachusetts. It directly affects digital advertising companies generating revenue from Massachusetts users, requiring them to pay tax on annual gross revenue exceeding $1 million from these services. The tax is calculated based on revenue from ads delivered to MA users (determined by IP address), with the first $1 million of such revenue exempt. Companies must remit the tax monthly to the state revenue commissioner.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 6.25% tax on digital ad revenue from MA users, generating new state revenue to strengthen budget management without targeting middle/lower income.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyImposes direct tax on digital advertising revenue, restricting tech companies' operations and increasing costs for digital ad services in MA.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1653: An Act providing for phone free schools

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 323) of Brendan P. Crighton and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibit the use to personal electronic devices in schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits personal electronic devices in schools to reduce distractions, aligning with 'protect' under education support indicators by enhancing classroom focus.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits personal electronic devices in schools, directly restricting technology use in educational settings per bill summary.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2496: An Act to promote phone free schools

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 333) of John J. Cronin and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices in K-12 public schools by students. Education.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits wireless devices in K-12 schools, restricting student technology access and device usage95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1482: An Act to protect children's learning, focus, and emotional health during school hours

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 461) of John C. Velis, Carmine Lawrence Gentile, James C. Arena-DeRosa, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the General Court for legislation to prohibit access to personal electronic devices and social media in public schools. Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits devices/social media to protect learning focus, aligning with educational environment enhancement per bill's purpose90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits personal electronic devices and social media access in public schools, directly restricting technology use during learning hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 10, 2025

S 323: An Act providing for phone free schools

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 323) of Brendan P. Crighton and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to prohibit the use to personal electronic devices in schools. Education.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits personal electronic devices in schools, restricting student technology use and limiting access to digital tools in educational settings.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2570: An Act relative to expedited referrals by legislators

This bill requires state agencies to share constituent personal information directly with legislators or their staff when assisting a person with state services. It removes the need for agencies to get authorization from the constituent (unless federal law requires it) for this disclosure. The law directly affects constituents seeking help, legislators, and agency staff handling such requests. Key provision: Agencies must provide necessary information to help legislators address constituent needs without requiring additional consent. This streamlines assistance but maintains existing federal privacy requirements.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRemoves consent requirement for sharing constituent data, weakening privacy protections per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3035: An Act reducing non-ionizing radiation in early to higher education

This bill requires Massachusetts public schools and higher education institutions to reduce non-ionizing radiation exposures from wireless technology and electrical systems. Key provisions mandate schools to prioritize hard-wired internet over wireless, minimize antenna power settings, prohibit new wireless infrastructure (like small cell networks) on school property, and establish public monitoring systems tracking progress. It directly affects all public K-12 schools and state-supported colleges/universities in Massachusetts. The law establishes measurable objectives for reducing radiation, including replacing wireless with wired connections where feasible, and integrates environmental health considerations into school operations.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates reducing wireless technology use (prioritizing hard-wired internet, prohibiting new wireless infrastructure) in schools to lower radiation, directly restricting wireless tech deployment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3325: An Act limiting autonomous driving capabilities to zero emission and electric vehicles

HD 3325 requires all autonomous vehicles operating on public roads in the Commonwealth to be zero-emission vehicles. This bill directly affects autonomous vehicle operators and manufacturers by mandating that self-driving cars must be battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles. The key provision, added as Section 19M in Chapter 90, prohibits fossil-fuel-powered autonomous vehicles from being used on public ways. The law defines "zero emission vehicle" and clarifies that standard safety features (like adaptive cruise control) do not count as autonomous technology. This policy change specifically restricts the types of vehicles that can operate without human control.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates zero-emission autonomous vehicles, reducing fossil fuel dependence and promoting clean energy adoption per its prohibition of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts autonomous vehicle technology to zero-emission types, prohibiting fossil-fuel options. This limits technological choice in the sector, aligning with 'restrict' indicator.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates zero-emission autonomous vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure per bill's core requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Autonomous Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2241: An Act to enhance protections against child exploitation and misuse of emerging technologies

This bill updates Massachusetts law to address child exploitation involving new technologies like artificial intelligence. It defines AI-generated images of children, deepfakes, and "child-like sex dolls" as illegal, expanding existing protections to cover digital content. Offenders face increased prison sentences (up to 40 years for repeat offenses) and must pay victim restitution for counseling and legal costs. The law also establishes a task force to monitor technology risks and funds victim support services including counseling and legal aid.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for AI/deepfake child exploitation, mandates restitution, establishes task force to strengthen protections against emerging criminal threats in criminal justice.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts AI-generated child exploitation content and defines deepfakes as illegal, imposing penalties for misuse of emerging technology.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Artificial Intelligence

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