Rep. Billy MacGregor

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve early education and care in Massachusetts by making services more affordable, accessible, and high-quality for children and their families. It seeks to support child development and strengthen the state's economy by expanding access to these essential services. The legislation outlines specific goals to enhance the quality of care and reduce costs, though the provided text does not detail the exact funding mechanisms or implementation steps.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands employment protections in Massachusetts for individuals experiencing or who have experienced abusive behavior, including domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, and kidnapping. It achieves this by adding new legal definitions to state labor laws that explicitly include psychological, emotional, and mental abuse alongside physical harm and threats. The legislation specifies that abusive behavior covers actions such as isolating a victim, controlling their finances, monitoring their communications, or restricting their freedom. By clarifying these terms, the bill aims to ensure that workplace policies cover a broader range of harmful behaviors beyond just physical violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state law requiring employers in Massachusetts to provide bereavement leave to employees whose immediate family members pass away. It defines eligible family members as those living with the employee, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings, and allows for up to 10 business days of leave within a 12-month period for funeral arrangements, attendance, or grieving. While the law mandates the time off, it explicitly leaves the decision to pay for that leave entirely up to the individual employer's policy. Additionally, the provision applies only to businesses with 10 or more employees and requires that the leave request be made within 30 days of the death.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to grant college credit for Advanced Placement exam scores of three, four, or five to help students meet degree requirements. Institutions must clearly state on their websites how these credits apply to general education, major, or elective courses and ensure they can be transferred to other schools. While schools can still require higher scores, they must provide specific evidence that a score above three is necessary for success in related courses, and the Department of Higher Education will offer guidance on what counts as valid evidence. Additionally, the state's higher education board must annually review these policies and report its findings to the legislature by July 1 each year.

Senate, January 22, 2024 --The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1145) of Michael J. Barrett and Sean Garballey for legislation to ensure bereavement leave; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1205) of Liz Miranda and Lydia Edwards for legislation relative to bereavement leave; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1879) of Sean Garballey, David M. Rogers and others relative to bereavement leave under the family and medical leave act; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1961) of Christopher J. Worrell relative to bereavement leave, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2562).

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2443) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael F. Rush and William F. MacGregor for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Erin Keel, an employee of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Public Service.