Rep. Rodney Elliott

Maddy summaryHD 5546 authorizes the Town of Chelmsford to ban second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (pesticides used to kill rodents) within its boundaries through local by-law. This bill directly affects Chelmsford residents, property owners, and commercial pest control services operating in the town. It allows Chelmsford to override existing state laws (like Chapter 132B) to prohibit these specific rodenticides, including their use by licensed commercial applicators. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, giving the town authority to regulate rodenticide use locally.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the SAVE Students Act, creates a statewide anonymous reporting system for students, staff, and the public to report unsafe or violent activities in Massachusetts schools. The Department of Public Health will establish and manage this program, which must be accessible 24/7 through a mobile app, website, and toll-free phone line, and include a staffed crisis center offering multilingual support. The law requires that the system protect the identity of reporters while allowing them to voluntarily share their information if they choose, and mandates that regulations be developed to ensure the program does not lead to unfair disciplinary actions against students from protected groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts education code to require schools to include prescription opioid abuse prevention in their violence prevention curriculum. The change specifically directs educators to teach students about the prescription drug epidemic and explain how misuse of these medications can lead to addiction to other substances like heroin. By adding this topic to existing legal requirements, the legislation ensures that all public schools address the risks associated with prescription opioids as part of their standard safety education.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts School Building Authority to use at least $150 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds to help cover rising material costs for previously approved school construction projects. The legislation specifically targets schools that can prove their budget overruns were caused by the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions. By transferring these funds to a dedicated trust, the bill aims to reimburse contractors and districts for the additional expenses incurred during the construction process.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help grow and diversify the workforce of mental and behavioral health professionals who specialize in maternal care. The funds would support schools and training programs that educate future providers, including offering scholarships to students from underserved communities. When awarding these grants, the state would prioritize organizations that commit to recruiting students from areas with poor maternal health access and require all programs to include training on implicit bias and racism. The grants could last up to five years, and recipients must agree to report on their progress and work with state agencies to ensure the programs remain effective and sustainable.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to support organizations addressing maternal mental health and substance use disorders among pregnant and postpartum individuals. The program prioritizes funding for entities serving medically underserved populations and areas with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes or significant racial disparities. Grant recipients must use the funds to integrate mental health services into primary care, expand prenatal and postpartum programs, provide addiction treatment referrals, and reduce stigma associated with these conditions. Eligible organizations include community-based groups, non-profits, maternity care providers, and public health agencies that offer culturally congruent care.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to ban the manufacturing and assembly of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices within the state. It directly affects individuals and businesses attempting to produce these firearms, while explicitly exempting licensed manufacturers who create them solely for authorized law enforcement, military, or foreign government agencies. Violators of the new prohibition face severe penalties, including fines ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for one to ten years. The legislation aims to prevent the creation of these specific firearms by targeting the production process rather than restricting ownership of already existing weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to install a donated statue called the Indian Maiden along the Merrimack River in Lowell. The legislation specifically requires the department to find a spot on its own land for the sculpture and to add a marker and signs identifying the location. By overriding existing laws or rules, the act ensures the statue is placed and maintained according to the department's standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to redirect 10 percent of sports wagering revenues into the Behavioral Health Outreach, Access and Support Trust Fund. The change lowers the overall percentage of these funds allocated to mental health services from 45 percent to 35 percent. By adjusting these allocation figures, the legislation modifies how gambling proceeds are distributed among various health-related programs. The policy directly impacts the funding levels available for behavioral health initiatives and the specific trust fund established to support them.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts School Building Authority to provide a $38.5 million reimbursement to the City of Lowell for high school renovation costs. The funding specifically addresses construction overruns caused by supply chain issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the legislation ensures that this specific grant does not count toward the authority's overall limit on approved grants for the year.