Rep. Bud Williams

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow courts to sell vacant residential properties to nonprofit organizations when a receiver is appointed. The sale must occur at fair market value and is only permitted if the court determines the nonprofit has the expertise to fix all sanitary code violations and rehabilitate the home for affordable sale to a first-time homebuyer earning no more than 120 percent of the median income. The process includes a mandatory waiting period that gives property owners and mortgage lenders a chance to propose fixing the code violations themselves, which would pause the sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow homeowners to rent out accessory dwelling units without being subject to state discrimination protections that typically apply to other residential leases. The legislation specifically affects owners of these secondary living spaces, granting them the legal ability to choose tenants based on their own preferences rather than adhering to standard fair housing rules. However, the law includes a provision that requires the owner to offer the unit to an immediate family member first, only waiving discrimination protections if no family member chooses to rent it.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect individuals' rights by automatically sealing criminal records for charges that did not result in a conviction or a guilty plea, thereby reducing long-term barriers to employment and housing. It specifically requires the sealing of records for adults and juveniles who are not found guilty or who have completed their court-ordered conditions, removing the need for them to file separate petitions to clear their names. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that a "continuation without a finding" does not count as a conviction and mandates that background check providers inform requestors that the presumption of innocence applies to pending or non-convicted cases. These changes directly affect people with criminal records by limiting the collateral consequences of charges that were not proven in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the number of associate justices in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court from 11 to 19. By amending the state's General Laws, the legislation aims to add eight additional judges to the court system. The change is intended to improve the administration of justice by expanding judicial capacity within these specific courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Correctional Oversight Office to help implement recommendations from the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The new office will focus on addressing four specific forms of racism identified in the legislation: institutional policies, systemic interactions between agencies, interpersonal treatment, and internalized biases affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. By establishing this office, the state aims to improve transparency and equity in areas such as healthcare access, job training, and data tracking for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The law also defines key terms like "correctional facility" and "correctional community members" to ensure clear application of these oversight measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a specific criminal charge for sexual assaults against people with disabilities. It directly affects individuals who commit sexual offenses against disabled victims and prosecutors handling such cases. Under the new provision, anyone who has sexual intercourse with a disabled person by using force or threats would face a mandatory life sentence or a term of years in state prison. The law also ensures that these cases cannot be dropped or placed on file without a formal finding of guilt.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires banks in Massachusetts to include their community reinvestment goals and the most recent rating from the commissioner in their annual reports. The change directly affects financial institutions subject to reporting under chapter 167 of the General Laws by mandating that these specific details be part of their strategic plans. By updating the existing reporting requirements, the legislation ensures that information about how banks plan to invest in their communities is consistently included in official filings.

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 establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts can better support adults over 21 with developmental disabilities, particularly those whose conditions are not currently covered by the state's definition. The commission will consist of government officials and community representatives, including individuals with lived experience, to examine current service gaps and compare state definitions with federal standards. Its main task is to gather input from families and providers, identify unmet needs for specific diagnoses like cerebral palsy or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and propose recommendations to improve service availability and inter-agency collaboration. The group must submit a final report with findings, budget estimates, and potential new laws within one year of the bill taking effect.