Technology

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 18, 2026

H 5258: An Act relative to problem gambling

This bill strengthens problem gambling protections in Massachusetts by requiring fantasy sports operators to maintain a list of self-excluded individuals and prohibiting them from marketing to or serving these excluded persons. It mandates that fantasy contest platforms use digital tools like cookies and IP addresses to prevent ads from reaching excluded individuals and requires them to deny access to benefits like check cashing and club programs for those on the exclusion list. The legislation also establishes a standardized disclaimer for all gambling advertisements that includes warning information and contact details for the state gambling helpline, while allowing gaming establishments to let patrons set betting and loss limits on their cashless wagering systems. Additionally, the bill requires gaming establishments to provide monthly statements showing patrons' total bets, wins, and losses, with options to opt out of receiving these statements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill uses digital tools like cookies and IP addresses to protect consumers from targeted gambling ads, enhancing digital privacy and consumer protection through technology regulation.75% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5290: An Act to streamline broadband permitting and ensure equitable access to infrastructure

This bill amends state law to speed up the permitting process for broadband internet infrastructure and promote open access networks where multiple providers can share physical facilities. It requires state and local governments to approve permit applications within 45 days and mandates that infrastructure owners grant timely, cost-based access to broadband providers. The legislation also establishes rules for "dig once" policies to include conduits during excavations, creates a registry for qualified contractors, and sets up enforcement mechanisms with potential fines for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill streamlines broadband permitting and ensures equitable access to infrastructure, directly advancing internet access and digital equity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SD 3759: An Act relative to youth social media safety

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation relative to youth social media safety. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill aims to protect youth on social media platforms, enhancing digital safety and consumer protection for younger users.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5222: An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market

This bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to prevent companies from using software to coordinate rental prices among landlords. It defines "service providers" as any entity that collects rental data and recommends prices to landlords, and prohibits landlords from paying these services to set or influence rent amounts. The law also bans agreements among landlords not to compete with each other on pricing and makes it easier for tenants to sue for violations by removing barriers like arbitration clauses and class-action waivers. Landlords who violate the rules could face legal penalties, and successful plaintiffs would be entitled to recover their legal costs and attorney fees.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prevents algorithmic rent fixing and protects tenant rights by banning price coordination among landlords, directly supporting affordable housing and tenant protections.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates tech companies to protect consumers from algorithmic price-fixing, enhancing consumer protection in digital markets.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 9, 2026

H 5228: An Act granting Uxbridge the ability to post public meeting notices

This bill allows the town of Uxbridge and its public schools to publish required legal notices on a town website instead of only in print newspapers. It permits notices to also appear on local newspaper websites, news sites meeting specific digital publication standards, or a statewide repository. The law does not change when these notices must be published, only where they can be posted.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands digital access by allowing public notices to be posted online, promoting internet access and digital inclusion for town residents.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 18, 2026

H 5255: An Act allowing for fiscal resilience through authorization of strategic investment in stable digital financial assets

This bill would allow Massachusetts state officials to invest public funds in Bitcoin and other stable digital financial assets as a strategy to protect against inflation and enhance financial resilience. The legislation permits the state treasurer to allocate up to 10 percent of specific state funds, including the General Fund and pension trust funds, into these digital assets. It establishes strict security requirements for custody, mandating that private keys be controlled exclusively by government entities and stored in encrypted, geographically diversified data centers. The bill also defines key terms like "digital financial asset" and "qualified custodian" to ensure clarity about what assets can be held and by whom.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal resilience and protects against inflation through strategic public fund investment, enhancing state financial management and budget stability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly authorizes state investment in digital financial assets like Bitcoin, advancing technology adoption and financial innovation through public fund allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

H 5061: An Act relative to advertising for justices of the peace

This bill updates advertising rules for justices of the peace in Massachusetts. It modernizes the language by replacing "his" with "their" for gender neutrality, adding "email address" to required contact details, and expanding permitted advertising channels to include digital platforms like social media, websites, and email. The changes directly affect justices of the peace who advertise their services, ensuring their public notices meet current communication standards. The bill makes no new policy requirements but aligns existing rules with contemporary media practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands permitted advertising to digital platforms (social media, websites, email), modernizing communication standards for justices of the peace.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 5017: An Act relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients

This bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover and reimburse new telehealth services, including e-consults (provider-to-provider digital advice), e-visits (patient-initiated digital check-ins), and remote monitoring of health data. It directly affects patients seeking virtual care, healthcare providers delivering telehealth services, and insurance carriers. Key provisions mandate coverage for these services without extra prior authorization compared to in-person visits, include interpreter services for non-English speakers or Deaf patients, and require insurers to offer digital health literacy programs for patients with low tech skills. The bill also creates a shared portal for applying to affordable broadband programs to support digital access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for telehealth services, expanding patient access to virtual care without prior authorization barriers95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates insurance coverage for telehealth services including remote monitoring, promoting digital equity in healthcare access95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth Broadband Access

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 5089: An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children's vision

This bill creates a Children's Vision and Eye Health Advisory Council within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to advise on vision programs and recommend improvements. It also establishes a statewide confidential registry where healthcare providers must report children's vision screening results and follow-up care, with strict privacy protections limiting data sharing to authorized healthcare providers, school nurses, and specific state agencies. The registry will track screening data to address vision disparities affecting students, particularly in underserved communities, and allow parents to correct errors or view access records. The law amends school health screening requirements to include this registry system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes vision programs and registry to address student health disparities affecting learning, directly advancing K-12 educational outcomes by closing achievement gaps through health intervention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a registry and council to improve children's vision screening follow-up, enhancing health services for children's vision care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a confidential registry with strict privacy protections for health data, directly advancing data privacy (a technology topic) through mandated safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 24, 2026

H 5114: An Act relative to consumer connected devices

By Representative Rogers of Cambridge and Senator Brownsberger, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of David M. Rogers, William N. Brownsberger and others relative to consumer connected devices. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill focuses on consumer protection for connected devices, implying data privacy safeguards for IoT products per its title and summary.85% confidence

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