Technology

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 2346: An Act relative to a local option for municipalities to own and operate their own internet provider

By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2346) of Erika Uyterhoeven relative to municipalities owning and operating broadband high speed internet infrastructure and services. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables municipalities to establish public broadband providers, directly expanding internet access and promoting digital equity as a core policy goal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3974: An Act relative to cellular coverage

By Representative Luddy of Orleans, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3974) of Hadley Luddy relative to cellular coverage. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill addresses cellular coverage expansion, directly enhancing mobile internet access infrastructure under technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Telecommunications

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 30, 2025

H 4670: An Act relative to personal financial literacy education

H 4670 requires Massachusetts public middle and high schools to provide personal financial literacy education starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It creates a dedicated fund to support this effort, financed by state appropriations, private donations (with safeguards against undue influence), and interest, which schools can use for curriculum materials, teacher training, and competitive grants. The law mandates specific topics like budgeting, credit, investing, and digital safety, while prioritizing underserved schools and requiring annual public reports on fund usage and program implementation. This directly affects all public schools and students in grades 6-12 by integrating financial skills into their education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations to fund financial literacy education, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates personal financial literacy education in schools with dedicated funding for curriculum and teacher training, advancing educational programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly mandates 'digital safety' as a required topic in financial literacy curriculum, supporting digital safety (a component of cybersecurity/digital rights within technology policy).80% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 6, 2026

H 3527: An Act preserving broadband service for low-income consumers

By Representative Mendes of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3527) of Rita A. Mendes relative to broadband service for low-income consumers. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPreserves broadband service for low-income consumers, directly expanding internet access and promoting digital equity per bill title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 264: An Act establishing protections for consumers interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 264) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to protect consumers interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly establishes consumer protections for AI chatbot interactions, directly aligning with data privacy and consumer protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 19, 2025

S 243: An Act requiring consumer notification for chatbot systems

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 243) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to require consumer notification for software or computer program that simulates human conversation or chatter through text or voice interactions. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires consumer notification for chatbot interactions, enhancing transparency and consumer protection in digital communications.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 8, 2025

HD 5363: An Act relative to social media, algorithm accountability, and transparency

HD 5363 requires major social media platforms operating in Massachusetts to conduct monthly algorithm audits focused on child safety risks, such as mental health harms, addictive behaviors, and exposure to harmful content like tobacco or gambling. Covered platforms - defined as those processing personal data for 100,000+ Massachusetts residents or meeting specific revenue thresholds - must register annually with the Attorney General’s office, pay for independent audits, and submit transparency reports starting in 2026. The law mandates audits to assess whether platforms are "likely to be accessed" by children (e.g., through audience composition or marketing) and to evaluate algorithmic risks like bullying or predatory marketing. It establishes an Office of Social Media Transparency and Accountability within the Attorney General’s office to enforce these requirements and oversee an expert Advisory Council.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates algorithm audits for child safety, enhancing platform accountability and user protection per bill's focus on mental health harms and harmful content exposure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Social Media

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 258: An Act protecting the privacy of social care information

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 258) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to protect the privacy of individuals’ social care information. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly protects privacy of social care information, aligning with data privacy safeguards in technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3675: An Act relative to taxation of equipment used to provide broadband communication services

HD 3675 exempts sales of specific equipment used to provide broadband services from Massachusetts sales tax. It directly affects broadband providers (like internet and cable companies) purchasing qualifying equipment such as cables, routers, antennas, fiber, and related infrastructure. The bill creates a new tax exemption for machinery, equipment, or replacement parts used in delivering telecommunications, video programming, or internet access services. This exemption applies to purchases made on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExempts broadband equipment from sales tax, reducing costs for providers to expand infrastructure and improve internet access, directly supporting technology deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4038: An Act relative to protecting Massachusetts residents against federal government surveillance

This bill (HD 4038) defines "protected information" as data about individuals' political, religious, or social views, associations, or activities, and restricts Massachusetts law enforcement from collecting or sharing this data without specific justification. It requires criminal intelligence systems (like fusion centers) to conduct annual audits tracking data access, maintain detailed logs of protected information sharing, and destroy unreliable data every five years. Law enforcement must obtain written authorization to investigate based on protected information and can only share such data with other agencies after prior written approval. The bill directly affects Massachusetts residents by limiting how state agencies handle sensitive personal information related to beliefs and associations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data collection on sensitive topics (political/religious views) and mandates audits/logs, protecting civil rights and enhancing accountability in law enforcement - a core criminal justice reform principle.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts law enforcement from sharing sensitive data (including immigrant associations/activities) with federal authorities, limiting cooperation that could aid immigration enforcement.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts law enforcement data collection of sensitive personal information, mandates audits/logs, and requires destruction of unreliable data, directly enhancing data privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

Track