Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring lenders and borrowers to attend supervised mediation conferences. The program applies to loans secured by primary residences, including small rental properties, condominiums, and cooperatives, but excludes government tax or judgment liens. During these conferences, a neutral mediator facilitates a good faith effort between the creditor and borrower to explore sustainable alternatives to foreclosure, such as loan modifications or repayment plans. A key provision mandates that the lender's representative at the conference cannot be the same person representing the lender in any subsequent court foreclosure proceedings. This legislative change aims to establish a structured, non-court process for resolving mortgage disputes before properties are lost.
Rep. Carlos González
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires homeowners' insurance companies in Massachusetts to include specific complaint information on policy documents that notify customers of premium increases. The new provision mandates that these documents must state the insured's right to file a complaint about premium or policy changes, along with the phone number and website for the Division of Insurance consumer service unit. This information must appear in the sentence immediately following the one that lists the updated premium amount. The law directly affects insurance providers and homeowners receiving notices of rate hikes, aiming to make it easier for consumers to access resources for filing grievances.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts insurance laws to prevent insurers from raising homeowners' premiums solely because a claim for fire, theft, storm, or water damage was filed. The key provision prohibits rate adjustments based on these claims if the homeowner is found not at fault for the incident. Directly affecting homeowners and insurance companies, the measure aims to ensure that claim history alone does not lead to higher costs for policyholders who were not responsible for the loss. By restricting how insurers can modify rates after specific types of claims, the bill seeks to provide more stability and fairness in insurance pricing.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state board to register pet groomers and establish rules for their businesses. It requires anyone who gets paid to groom animals to register with this board, except for trainees working under supervision for up to six months. The board will set standards for safety, sanitation, equipment, and animal care while considering existing industry guidelines.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone transporting solid waste within Massachusetts to cover the waste with a hard top or a biodegradable seal that hardens after application. The rule applies to all vehicles, trains, barges, ships, and scows moving waste originating from the state. The Department of Environmental Protection, working with the Department of Transportation, will create specific regulations to enforce this requirement.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2360) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to 3D printed weapons and ghost guns. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2335) of Carlos González and others for legislation to reduce recidivism through evidence-based programs. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2334) of Carlos González, Bud L. Williams and Jason M. Lewis relative to tracking, tracing and stopping illegal firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to lower the maximum fees charged for involuntary vehicle towing during declared emergencies, such as snowstorms, natural disasters, or extreme weather events. When a local government activates this option, the highest allowable tow rate must be set at exactly half of the standard maximum rate established under current state law. To enforce this reduction, municipalities are required to include the new lower rate in their contracts with private tow service providers whenever they order a vehicle to be removed due to a parking violation during these specific crisis periods.