Rep. Jeff Roy

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a standardized process for dividing real estate owned by multiple relatives, known as heirs property. It directly affects individuals involved in partition actions where property was inherited or acquired from family members. The legislation requires courts to order professional appraisals to determine fair market value unless all owners agree on a price, and it mandates that impartial commissioners be appointed to oversee the process. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for plaintiffs to post a conspicuous sign on the property notifying neighbors and the public that a legal partition action has begun. These changes aim to ensure transparency and fairness when dividing family-owned land through the court system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts insurance laws to clarify how costs and interest are calculated in personal injury protection claims. It allows courts to award attorney fees and court costs only for the time before an insurance company makes a payment, rather than for the entire duration of a lawsuit. Additionally, the bill mandates that interest on any awarded amounts begins accruing from the start of the legal action, using the standard rate for breach of contract cases. These changes directly affect individuals filing claims against insurers and the insurance companies themselves by defining when financial penalties apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act to clarify how legal representatives can access a deceased person's email and other digital accounts. It defines key terms such as "digital asset," "custodian," and "fiduciary" to create a clear framework for managing electronic records after death. The law allows designated recipients, agents, conservators, and personal representatives to access digital assets unless the user has explicitly restricted access through an online tool provided by the service. By amending state law, the bill gives legal standing to these representatives while respecting a user's specific instructions regarding privacy and data disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that all automobile insurance policies issued in Massachusetts conform to a standardized text approved by the state insurance commissioner. It mandates that any changes to policy coverage, conditions, or definitions must undergo public notice and a hearing before being approved, ensuring transparency in how insurance terms are modified. Additionally, the legislation prohibits policies from including specific exceptions or exclusions for certain accidents or injuries, aiming to provide clearer and more uniform protection for drivers. These rules apply to all new motor vehicle liability policies issued after the law takes effect, directly impacting insurance companies and policyholders in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows groups of up to seven liquor store license holders in Massachusetts to combine their purchases to qualify for quantity discounts from wholesalers. Under the new rules, these licensees can pool their orders for up to nine total licenses, provided the alcohol is distributed only among the participating stores. The legislation aims to enable small retailers to access lower pricing tiers typically reserved for larger buyers by forming cooperative purchasing agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits liquor store owners and distributors from offering money or valuable items to encourage people to buy or avoid specific brands of alcohol. The law also bans providing staff to retailers with the goal of influencing product stocking, rotation, or pricing decisions. These rules apply to all licensed sellers and suppliers of alcoholic beverages within Massachusetts. The measure aims to prevent financial incentives from being used to sway consumer choices in the alcohol market.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that all automobile insurance policies issued in Massachusetts use a standardized text approved by the state insurance commissioner. It mandates that any changes to policy coverage, conditions, or definitions must go through a public notice and hearing process before being approved. Additionally, the legislation prohibits policies from containing specific exceptions or exclusions for particular accidents or injuries. These rules apply to all motor vehicle liability policies issued after the bill takes effect, aiming to ensure consistency and transparency for consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of residential buildings with gas-burning equipment to install and maintain working explosive gas sensor devices. Landlords must ensure these alarms are operational at the start of every rental period and keep batteries or wiring in good condition annually. The law also mandates fire department inspections upon the sale or transfer of a property to verify compliance. Additionally, the state building code is authorized to set stricter standards for new construction or major renovations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural order that extends the deadline for the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy committee to review and report on nine specific legislative documents. It directly affects the committee members by granting them additional time until June 20, 2024, to complete their analysis of these bills. The measure temporarily suspends standard rules to allow this extension, ensuring the committee has sufficient time to finalize its work before the legislative session concludes.