Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program called RAFT to help low-income families in Massachusetts avoid homelessness by providing cash assistance for rent and utility bills. To qualify, households must be at risk of eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off within the next year, and they do not need to have already received a legal eviction notice or shut-off order. The program prioritizes families with incomes at or below 30% of the area median income and allows eligible households to receive up to 12 months of rental assistance for both past and future costs. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to publish an annual report on the program's usage and outcomes while ensuring that specific documents about rental assistance are treated as public records, except for the names of the tenants themselves.
Rep. Dan Donahue
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend Massachusetts law to ensure that the state minimum wage applies to both public and private employers. The key provision explicitly states that the minimum wage rules override any conflicting state laws, such as those regarding tipped minimum wages. By removing the word "It" and adding "public or private," the legislation aims to create a uniform minimum wage standard across all workplaces in the state. This change would directly affect all employees in Massachusetts, regardless of whether they work for the government or a private company.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to stop wage theft and hold employers accountable by strengthening how the state enforces labor laws. It creates a new public enforcement unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate unpaid wages and other violations. The legislation also expands the types of penalties available to punish companies that fail to pay workers correctly. These changes directly affect employees who may have been underpaid and the businesses that employ them.
By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3045) of Natalie M. Higgins, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and others relative to the renewal of certain licenses after default on student loans. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create specific criminal charges for assaulting or harassing sports officials during organized athletic events. It defines "sports officials" as individuals like referees or umpires who enforce rules and extends protection to activities surrounding these events, including pre-game and post-game periods. Under the new provisions, physically attacking an official could result in up to five years in prison or a fine of $5,000, while engaging in a malicious pattern of conduct intended to cause emotional distress would be classified as criminal harassment with similar penalties. The legislation directly affects anyone participating in or organizing sporting events in the state by establishing clearer legal consequences for violence and intimidation directed at game enforcers.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a livable wage specifically for human services workers in Massachusetts. It directly affects employees of community-based organizations that receive funding from state agencies such as the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, or the Department of Housing and Community Development. The legislation defines these workers as staff who provide treatment, support, or services to clients and their families, while defining the organizations as those with funded human services programs. By amending Chapter 6A of the General Laws, the bill creates a formal framework to ensure these essential workers are paid a wage deemed sufficient to meet basic living needs.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal framework allowing Massachusetts employees to make small, voluntary payroll deductions to support not-for-profit social welfare organizations and political committees. The legislation directly affects workers by enabling them to authorize regular contributions from their paychecks without incurring transaction fees, aiming to lower financial barriers to political engagement. Key provisions require covered organizations to obtain authorization from at least ten residents before participating in the program and mandate that the Attorney General certifies these groups. Employers participating in this system would not face any costs for facilitating these deductions, while employees retain full control over their contribution amounts.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new internal special audit unit within the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the integrity and efficiency of the agency's operations. The unit will be led by a director appointed by the state inspector general rather than the commission itself, ensuring independence from the agency being audited. Its primary duties include monitoring the commission's activities, preventing fraud, and providing training on regulatory investigations. Additionally, the legislation requires the commission to cooperate with the audit unit and establishes a formal agreement for collaboration between the commission, the Department of Agricultural Resources, and the Department of Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a procedural order that extends the deadline for the Cannabis Policy committee to submit its final report on a specific set of related bills. It directly affects the committee members by granting them additional time until July 1, 2024, to complete their work. The measure does not change any laws or policies regarding cannabis but simply adjusts the legislative timeline for reviewing those documents.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2618) of James J. O'Day and Daniel M. Donahue relative to retirement benefits for certain employees of the Department of Correction. Public Service.