Senate, July 2, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill protecting children from addictive social media feeds (Senate, No. 30),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 3116).
Senate, July 9, 2026 -- Text of the Senate Bill protecting children from addictive social media feeds (Senate, No. 3175) (being the text of Senate, No. 3164, printed as amended)
This bill allows the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission to update its rules regarding the use of electronic signatures for Massachusetts public employees. The proposed changes implement provisions from state law that authorize digital signatures for official retirement documents and forms. By adopting these amendments, the commission aims to modernize administrative processes and streamline how employees and officials handle paperwork. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing on updating regulatory guidelines rather than altering retirement benefits or eligibility requirements.
By Representative Kane of Shrewsbury and Senator Moore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5512) of Hannah Kane (by vote of the town) that the town of Shrewsbury be authorized to use print-free digital legal notices in said town. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
Text of amendments, recommended by the committee on Ways and Means, to the Senate Bill establishing the Massachusetts data privacy act. (Senate, No. 2619, amended). June 3, 2026.
This bill allows the Town of Wayland and its subdivisions to publish required legal notices digitally instead of exclusively in print newspapers. It authorizes local officials to choose from various digital options, such as newspaper websites, local news sites, statewide repositories, or a town-specific website, provided the Select Board or School Committee votes to approve at least two of these methods. The legislation does not mandate digital publication but gives local government bodies the flexibility to adapt to changes in the print media landscape while maintaining existing rules about publication timing.
By Representative Linsky of Natick and Senator Eldridge, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5486) of David Paul Linsky (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize print free digital legal notices in the town of Wayland. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
This bill appropriates $1 million in state funds to cover technology, records management, and personnel costs for the governor's office, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and joint legislative operations. It amends state law to allow the state auditor to review specific administrative functions of the legislature, such as official budgets, audits, and financial settlements, while explicitly excluding legislative deliberations and other constitutional duties from such reviews. The legislation defines these administrative functions and audit procedures to ensure transparency in how legislative branches manage their finances and operations.
This bill authorizes the town of Wayland to hold annual and special town meetings where voters can participate in person, remotely, or through a combination of both methods. It establishes that all actions taken during these remote or hybrid meetings will have the same legal validity as if they had occurred entirely in person. Additionally, the bill requires that recordings of these meetings be made available on the town's website for at least 30 days and kept as a permanent public record.
Text of House amendments to the Senate Bill establishing the Massachusetts data privacy act (being the text of House document numbered 5472, published as amended). June 4, 2026.