Rep. Jamie Murphy

Maddy summaryHD 2015 requires trained wildlife rehabilitators in Massachusetts to work under a written agreement with a veterinarian. This agreement must detail specific procedures, services, responsibilities, and limitations, and must be approved by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The bill directly affects licensed rehabilitators who care for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. It formalizes a new administrative requirement for oversight, updating existing law to ensure rehabilitators operate under veterinary guidance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2007) prohibits Massachusetts home insurance companies from requiring homeowners to complete repairs before releasing funds for repairs. It directly affects homeowners filing insurance claims for property damage. The key provision bans insurers from including policy terms that withhold payment until repairs are finished. This change ensures homeowners receive funds faster to address damage, rather than paying upfront and seeking reimbursement later.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts banking regulations to include "registrants" alongside "licensees" under the Division of Banks' oversight. It directly affects debt collectors, third-party loan servicers, and financial service providers required to register or license with the Division. Key provisions establish penalties up to $5,000 per violation (capped at $100,000 total) for regulatory breaches and create new prohibitions for individuals violating rules, including bans on employment in licensed businesses. The bill also adds confidentiality protections for examination records, ensuring investigation files remain non-public and exempt from disclosure requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4645, now Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2025) increases penalties for assaulting public transit workers while they are on duty. It makes it a crime to commit assault and battery - including using bodily substances like blood or saliva - against a transit worker performing their job, punishable by 90 days to 2.5 years in jail or fines of $500 to $5,000. The law specifically defines "bodily substance" to include human secretions such as saliva, urine, or feces. It directly affects transit workers by strengthening legal protections during their work. The bill was enacted in late 2025 after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2682) amends Massachusetts law to expand protections for transit workers against assault and battery. It explicitly adds "public transit worker" to the list of protected employees under Section 13D of Chapter 265, and defines "assault and battery" to include attacks using bodily substances like blood, saliva, or urine. The law now treats such assaults as more severe offenses, with specific legal definitions clarifying what constitutes a "bodily substance." This directly affects transit workers by making assaults against them a distinct criminal violation under state law. The changes provide clearer legal grounds for prosecuting attacks on transit staff using bodily substances.

Maddy summaryHD 1987 requires auto insurers to refund customers for unused policy days when they switch companies or cancel prepaid coverage, without charging penalties or fees. It directly affects auto insurance policyholders who cancel or change providers before their policy expires. The key provision mandates a pro-rated refund for the exact number of days paid but not used, calculated from the cancellation date. This eliminates common charges like "cancellation fees" or "prepaid term penalties" that previously reduced refunds. The law applies to all auto insurance policies governed by Section 22C of the General Laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes state government by elevating the National Guard to a cabinet-level position. It creates an "Executive Office of the Military Division" under the Adjutant General, who gains secretary-level authority. The bill transfers all employees, property, and responsibilities from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to this new office (or vice versa), ensuring no loss of seniority, benefits, or union representation during the transition. It directly affects state government agencies and employees handling military and public safety functions. The change modifies specific sections of the General Laws to reflect this structural shift.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires political campaigns to clearly disclose that phone calls are paid advertisements when conducting "push-polling" - a tactic that disguises negative messaging about candidates as a survey. It mandates callers to state upfront it is a "paid political advertisement," identify the organization and payer, provide a public phone number, and name the candidate(s) they support or oppose before asking any candidate-related questions. The rules apply to large-scale calls (over 2,000 in federal/state races, over 500 in local elections) lasting less than 2 minutes that mimic surveys but aim to influence voters. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, aiming to prevent deceptive political communication.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts teacher retirement system rules to ensure continuity for educators. It requires that teachers moving to roles in the Executive Office of Education or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education retain their teacher retirement status without service interruption, with provisions for making up any contribution differences. It also creates a one-time 180-day window for certain teachers (who joined before July 2001 and didn't opt into an alternative retirement plan) to switch to that program. Additionally, the bill allows school districts to temporarily hire retired teachers during staff shortages, though this service doesn't count toward retirement credits. These changes primarily affect current and retired teachers employed in Massachusetts public schools or education agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes two new review boards within Massachusetts' Division of Banks. The mortgage review board (with two regional divisions covering Boston and central/western Massachusetts) allows applicants denied residential mortgage loans for primary homes to appeal within 45 days. The small business loan review board handles appeals for denials of loans to SBA-defined small businesses ($1 million revenue or less), requiring written findings within 30 days (extendable to 60) and guidance on alternative financing. Both boards must operate under strict timelines, provide annual reports to state committees, and exclude investment properties or commercial loans from coverage.