Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic violence in Massachusetts to include specific behaviors like coercive control and technological abuse. It clarifies that coercive control involves patterns of intimidation, isolation, or financial monitoring, while technological abuse covers actions such as cyberstalking, nonconsensual sharing of images, and electronic surveillance. The legislation also explicitly lists examples such as threatening deportation based on immigration status or forcing someone into criminal activity as forms of abuse. By updating these definitions, the law aims to provide clearer grounds for victims to seek protection orders against a wider range of harmful behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to submit an annual report detailing its efforts to improve stroke care data and patient transport. The report must include information on current emergency care protocols, the activities of a specific task force, and statistics on how quickly suspected stroke patients are moved to designated stroke facilities. By mandating these specific metrics, the legislation aims to increase transparency regarding how stroke patients are handled by the healthcare system. The data will be shared with the state legislature and relevant health committees to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation designating the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Remembrance Day. The legislation is sponsored by multiple state representatives and aims to honor the lives lost and the challenges faced during the pandemic. By establishing this specific date, the bill creates a formal opportunity for the state to acknowledge the impact of the virus on Massachusetts communities. The measure does not change laws or require new funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to remember those affected by the pandemic.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to clarify how tow companies can place liens on vehicles. It specifically allows liens to be issued for cars towed from private property or involuntarily transported from accident scenes. The changes update existing statutes to ensure the legal process for collecting unpaid towing fees is clearly defined for private property owners and towing operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new State Athletic Commission within the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to oversee boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and other unarmed combat sports. The commission would consist of five members appointed by the governor, including at least one expert in boxing and one in mixed martial arts or kickboxing, along with an executive director who must have relevant sports experience. To fund the commission's operations, the bill establishes a dedicated fund financed by gaming fees and a mandatory annual transfer of $750,000 from the state comptroller. Additionally, the legislation repeals an existing section of state law related to boxing regulations and amends several other statutes to integrate the new commission into the legal framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow Certified Nursing Assistant exams to be administered in languages other than English, such as Spanish and Chinese. It directly affects nurses' aides working in long-term care facilities where the resident population predominantly speaks a language other than English. The legislation requires the state department to decide which specific languages will be available for testing and mandates that facilities offering this option must recognize the costs of compliance in their payment rates. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2024, aiming to improve access to certification for non-English speaking workers in the healthcare sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Clean Heat Standard in Massachusetts that requires natural gas and heating fuel providers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. To meet this goal, the state will create a system of tradeable credits called Clean Heat Credits, which represent the pollution reduction achieved by installing specific low-emission heating technologies. The Department of Energy Resources will oversee the program and define which heating measures qualify, while explicitly excluding simple switches between fossil fuels or the use of renewable natural gas and hydrogen. Obligated parties must retire a certain number of these credits to comply with the state's broader climate goals, effectively shifting the financial burden of decarbonizing heating systems onto fuel suppliers rather than consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Shrewsbury to waive real estate taxes for the home of Ava Roy, the daughter of fallen firefighter Christopher Roy. The law specifically directs the town's Board of Assessors to exempt the property from taxes for the years 2024 through 2036, provided the home is owned and lived in by Ava or her legal guardian. By overriding standard state tax laws, the legislation ensures that the family receives financial relief without needing further approval from the town.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the Office of Chief of Police and the Deputy Chief of Police in Worcester from the city's civil service protections. It allows the city manager to appoint these leaders from within the department without them losing their existing civil service rank while serving. If a current officer is promoted to these roles, they can return to their previous position after their term ends, provided they are not yet eligible for retirement. The law does not affect any other employees who already hold tenured civil service positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the Westborough Affordable Housing Trust and its related entities from standard town procurement laws when planning or building projects at 6 Beach Street and 45 High Street Extension. The exemption allows these groups to handle contracts for design, construction, and maintenance without following the usual bidding processes required of public agencies, though they must still pay prevailing wages to workers. Additionally, if these properties are later sold or leased to a redevelopment corporation or a nonprofit, the transaction must follow specific state laws regarding urban redevelopment. The changes apply only to these two specific locations in Westborough and take effect immediately upon passing.