Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 962) of Brendan P. Crighton, Manny Cruz, Mike Connolly, Sal N. DiDomenico and others for legislation to promote Yes in My Back Yard, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2836).
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1008) of Joan B. Lovely, James K. Hawkins, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the Massachusetts rental voucher program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2826).
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 982) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to create the Anti -Displacement Pilot Program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2833).
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 999) of John F. Keenan for legislation relative to impose notification requirements on both tenants and landlords when bed bugs are found at a property, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2830).
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 989) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish the missing-middle starter home development and home ownership program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2832).
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 992) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to expand housing options through homesharing, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2834).
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1011) of Liz Miranda for legislation to promote housing stability for families by strengthening the HomeBASE program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2829).
H 4811 creates a new limited dental license for dentists working in educational or hospital settings. It allows individuals with specific qualifications (like dental college diplomas and faculty/intern roles at accredited institutions) to practice under supervision for up to 5 years. After 5 years of practice, they may qualify for a special license to work in private practices accepting MassHealth, but only under a supervising dentist. The bill restricts practice to designated hospitals or institutions and prohibits private office work without the special license. It directly affects dental professionals employed in academic or public health settings seeking licensure pathways.
H 4807 updates Massachusetts' data security laws by defining key terms and strengthening protections for personal information. It directly affects Massachusetts government agencies, departments, and businesses (called "service providers") that handle residents' data, including new categories like biometric data (e.g., fingerprints) and neural data (e.g., brain activity measurements). The bill expands what counts as "personal information" to include sensitive details like health history, precise location data, and financial account numbers, and requires clearer breach notifications - such as free security freeze options - within 30 days of discovering a breach. It also mandates that organizations implement security programs to protect data and comply with federal standards.
H 4812 restricts telemarketers from using local phone numbers or area codes that don't match their actual Massachusetts business location. This directly affects out-of-state telemarketers who currently use fake local numbers to target Massachusetts consumers. The bill bans this practice, requires the Attorney General to enforce it with fines, and creates a system for consumers to track complaints through an advisory group. It aims to reduce deceptive caller ID tactics by mandating that telemarketers display legitimate location information.
This bill, H 4809, directly affects patients with medical debt, healthcare providers, and debt collectors by restricting how medical debt can be collected and reported. Key provisions ban medical creditors from selling medical debt to debt buyers or reporting it to credit bureaus, prohibit aggressive collection tactics (like wage garnishment or liens) for 180 days after billing, and limit interest rates on medical debt to 12% (or 3% after 2026). It also requires advance notice before collection actions and protects patients during insurance appeals. These changes aim to reduce financial harm from medical debt by limiting credit damage and harsh collection practices.
H 4810 prohibits businesses from making false or misleading claims about products being recyclable, biodegradable, compostable, or environmentally friendly in advertising or on packaging. It requires companies to provide proof of these claims, including documentation on environmental impacts and compliance with federal standards, and to clarify if only parts of a product are recyclable. The Attorney General enforces the law, imposing civil fines of up to $1,000 per violation for misleading claims or improper use of the recycling symbol (chasing arrows). This bill directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and marketers of consumer goods making environmental claims in Massachusetts.
