Rep. Rita Mendes

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to pass local laws that limit how much landlords can raise rents and restrict when they can evict tenants. Municipalities would adopt these rules by voting to accept the chapter and then creating specific ordinances that cap annual rent increases at the lower of the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and new buildings with a recent occupancy certificate. Additionally, the bill requires that evictions or lease non-renewals only happen for specific reasons such as unpaid rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or the owner converting the unit to a cooperative.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement rent control and eviction protections for residents in their communities. If a municipality opts in, it must pass local rules that cap how much landlords can raise rents each year and ensure evictions only happen for specific, justified reasons like non-payment or lease violations. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, properties already regulated by other agencies, college dorms, and elderly care facilities. Local governments would have the option to adopt these measures through various methods, including ordinances or binding votes by their residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill improves long-term care in Massachusetts by creating a dedicated fund to support workforce training and capital improvements for skilled nursing facilities. The new fund will finance education and stipends for nurses' aides and home health workers, while also offering interest-free loans to help facilities build specialized care units like dementia or behavioral health wings. Additionally, the law clarifies definitions for assisted living services, specifying which medical tasks qualified staff can perform under a doctor's order. An advisory committee involving health officials and labor union representatives will oversee these programs to ensure they meet the needs of both workers and residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Hospital Workforce Training & Apprenticeship Trust Fund to help hospitals in Massachusetts recruit and keep staff. The fund will be managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and can be supported by public and private donations, grants, and interest earnings. Money from the fund will be distributed as grants to eligible hospitals and training organizations to pay for workforce education programs and registered apprenticeships. All acute care hospitals and accountable care organizations in the state are considered eligible to receive these financial supports.

By Representative Mendes of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2604) of Rita A. Mendes and others relative to mandatory coverage for certain health screenings for firefighters. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated state fund to support long-term care facilities and workers in Massachusetts. The fund will finance workforce training programs for nurses and aides, offering financial aid for education, licensing, and childcare, while also providing no-interest loans to facilities for building specialized care units and improving living conditions. An advisory committee comprising state officials and representatives from senior care and labor unions will oversee these initiatives. The legislation also updates legal definitions related to long-term care facilities to clarify terms such as "cohorting" and "isolating" for infection control purposes.

By Representative Gregoire of Marlborough, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2541) of Danielle W. Gregoire and others relative to residency requirements for certain public safety officials in cities and towns. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to create a program that helps families, youth, and adults avoid becoming homeless by providing cash assistance and services. It allows individuals at risk of eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off to receive aid even before they have received official legal notices, using certified statements from landlords or utility companies to verify their financial struggles. The program specifically targets households earning at or below 50% of the area median income, with at least half of the funds reserved for those living at or below 30% of that income. Eligible recipients include families with children under 21, seniors, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth, and the financial aid is limited to covering actual unpaid rent, mortgage, or utility bills.

By Representative Scarsdale of Pepperell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2654) of Margaret R. Scarsdale and others relative to certain exemptions from the civil service laws. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Consumer Health Data Act to regulate how companies collect, use, and share personal health information. It directly affects consumers by requiring businesses to obtain clear, specific, and voluntary written consent before gathering sensitive data such as DNA, biometric scans, and health metrics. The law prohibits obtaining consent through broad terms of service, passive actions like hovering over content, or deceptive design choices like pre-checked boxes. Additionally, it defines key terms like "affiliate" and "biometric data" to ensure clarity in how these protections apply across different types of health-related information.