Rep. Jeff Roy

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all buildings with gas-burning equipment (like furnaces, water heaters, or fireplaces) to install certified fuel gas alarms/detectors that meet UL or ETL standards. It directly affects property owners, landlords, and installers by mandating working detectors before rentals begin, annual maintenance, and end-of-life battery replacement. Key provisions include phased compliance timelines, standardized installer certifications, mandatory fire department inspections at property sales, and alignment with NFPA 715 installation standards. The law also requires the board of fire prevention to set specific rules for installation, location, and maintenance.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill (HD 1182) creates a new law allowing executors, conservators, and other fiduciaries to access a deceased person's digital accounts, including email content. It lets users pre-set instructions through online tools provided by services (like "digital wills") to share or restrict access to their digital assets, which overrides conflicting terms-of-service agreements. If no instructions exist, fiduciaries can petition a court for access - unless the court finds they’re acting in bad faith or federal law prohibits it. The law applies to digital assets of Massachusetts residents who died on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryHD 520 requires state and municipal agencies to use U.S.-made iron, steel, fabricated steel, and manufactured goods in public construction projects exceeding $500,000, unless a waiver is granted. Waivers are allowed if domestic materials are unavailable in sufficient quantity or quality, would increase project costs by over 25%, or conflict with the public interest. Agencies must provide 30 days of public notice and comment before granting waivers and publish detailed justifications for any approved waiver. Contractors who intentionally mislabel foreign goods as "Made in America" for these projects face disqualification from future state contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2077) creates new criminal penalties for assaulting sports officials during or related to sporting events. It classifies assaults causing basic bodily injury as a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine), assaults requiring medical care as a felony (up to 2 years or $2,000 fine), and assaults causing serious impairment as a felony (up to 5 years or $5,000 fine). Venues must post signs explaining these penalties and provide escorts to officials upon request, with violations carrying a $500 civil fine. The law directly affects individuals who assault officials and facilities hosting sporting events.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires homeowners' insurers to include specific coverage for heating oil leaks from residential properties (1-4 unit dwellings) starting January 1, 2024. It mandates minimum $75,000 first-party property coverage for cleanup costs and damage to the homeowner's property, plus $250,000 third-party liability coverage for claims from neighbors affected by the leak. Insurers may exclude coverage only if the homeowner failed to follow maintenance rules (like annual tank inspections), but must provide annual written notice in 16-point font explaining those rules. The policy changes apply to all new or renewed homeowners' insurance policies meeting these coverage minimums.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 510) regulates vehicle leasing companies and renters. It prohibits leasing companies from using inaccurate odometers or deceiving renters about mileage, and requires renters to show a valid driver's license (without requiring companies to verify it with the DMV). The key provision mandates leasing companies to provide secondary auto insurance coverage for renters who lack their own liability insurance, covering both personal injuries and property damage (except for leases over 30 days). This directly affects rental companies and renters using "drive-it-yourself" or time-based rental systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts school transportation safety rules for vehicles carrying up to eight passengers plus the driver. It requires all school transportation vehicles manufactured after 2018 to have seat belts for every seat, chock blocks, a fire extinguisher, and flares meeting federal standards. The bill also mandates a reflective "School Transportation" rooftop sign (not permanently fixed) and requires all operators and passengers to wear seat belts while the vehicle is in use. These changes directly affect school bus providers and contractors transporting students under contract, excluding emergency use for five days or less. The rules apply to all such vehicles operating in Massachusetts.

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jeffrey N. Roy for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Ankita Gajendra Patel, an employee of the Department of Correction. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases Massachusetts' minimum auto insurance coverage requirements. It raises bodily injury coverage from $20,000 to $50,000 per person and from $40,000 to $100,000 per accident. It also increases property damage coverage from $5,000 to $30,000. These changes directly affect all drivers and insurers in Massachusetts who must meet the state's compulsory insurance standards. The bill modifies specific sections of Chapter 90 (insurance law) to implement these higher coverage limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 1172) provides a specific disability retirement pension for Sgt. David Patterson, a Massachusetts State Police officer permanently injured in the line of duty. It directs the State Retirement Board to pay Patterson a pension equal to his pre-retirement salary rate, continuing until he reaches retirement age. At that point, his pension switches to 75% of his prior annual pension amount. The bill also ensures survivor benefits for his dependent(s) at 75% of his final pension, following standard retirement board procedures. As a targeted exception for one officer, it does not create a new policy or affect other retirees.