Rep. Kevin Honan

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover and reimburse new telehealth services, including e-consults (provider-to-provider digital advice), e-visits (patient-initiated digital check-ins), and remote monitoring of health data. It directly affects patients seeking virtual care, healthcare providers delivering telehealth services, and insurance carriers. Key provisions mandate coverage for these services without extra prior authorization compared to in-person visits, include interpreter services for non-English speakers or Deaf patients, and require insurers to offer digital health literacy programs for patients with low tech skills. The bill also creates a shared portal for applying to affordable broadband programs to support digital access.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets new wage standards for direct care workers in Massachusetts human services programs. It requires that direct care staff wages meet or exceed the 75th percentile of similar jobs in the state (based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data), with salary increases for these roles tied to this benchmark. The law specifically excludes top executives (like CEOs and CFOs) from these wage requirements. It also mandates transparent calculation of fringe benefits and payroll costs for providers, and ensures compliance won't reduce funding for existing social service programs. The changes take effect 180 days after enactment, with a planning process starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 1026) requires the Division to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21+ who have developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder and are covered under Chapter 118E. It mandates coverage for treatments like applied behavior analysis (provided by licensed professionals) and both dedicated and non-dedicated communication devices (including tablets), as determined medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. The policy directly affects eligible adults with these diagnoses, ensuring state-funded access to specific therapies and assistive devices previously not guaranteed under the existing coverage. It does not change eligibility criteria but expands required coverage for defined treatments and devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for paid caregiving under MassHealth's home and community-based services program. It directly affects legally liable family members (including parents, guardians, adult children, and others with legal responsibility) who currently may be excluded from being paid caregivers. The key provision amends the law to explicitly include these individuals within the definition of "family member" for payment purposes, removing barriers imposed by existing statutes. MassHealth must then file a required state plan amendment or waiver to implement this change. The policy change modifies program eligibility rules without altering funding or creating new services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Boston to grant a highway easement over approximately 3,654 square feet of Joslin Park to facilitate construction of a new cancer hospital and related roadway improvements. In exchange, the city will abandon its easement rights over several portions of public streets totaling about 5,000 square feet and receive those same areas from the property owner as land for public park use. The transferred land will be managed by the Parks and Recreation Commission for public recreational purposes, while the property owner retains subsurface utility rights. The bill ensures that the total land area given to the park department is at least equal to the park land being used for the hospital project, maintaining compliance with state constitutional requirements for public land preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' health department to create a state plan within one year to improve care standards for people with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), including those with intersecting marginalized identities. It mandates forming an advisory committee of health officials, providers, patient advocates, and disability organizations to develop training requirements for healthcare professionals (like doctors and nurses) on diagnosis and treatment during routine care. The plan must include strategies for better assessment during primary care visits and coordinate with licensing boards to require this training for license renewals. These changes directly affect healthcare providers and aim to standardize care for patients with autism and IDD across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3703) protects current public housing residents in Massachusetts during project transfers or redevelopment. It requires that tenants maintain all original rights under federal, state, and local subsidy programs - including lease terms, eviction protections, and privacy rights - unless necessary for financing or program eligibility. The law prohibits re-screening existing tenants, reducing their assistance, or displacing them from affordable housing, and mandates that redevelopment preserves the same number of low-rent units. Housing authorities must implement these protections through contracts detailing tenant input processes, monitoring compliance, and ensuring no displacement occurs, with tenants able to enforce these terms as third-party beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3704) allows Massachusetts condominium associations to hold meetings and conduct voting electronically. It permits governing bodies to meet via phone, video, or other electronic means (with all participants able to hear conversations), and for unit owners to join remotely if notified in advance with access details. Electronic voting (via email, websites, etc.) is authorized for matters requiring a quorum, and associations may use electronic signatures for required consents. The law directly affects condominium associations and their unit owners by enabling remote participation in governance. It updates existing rules (MGL c. 183A) to formalize electronic meeting and voting procedures.

Maddy summaryHD 3068 requires cities and towns to permit multifamily housing (apartments or condos with >3 units) by right in zoning districts covering at least 1.5% of developable land, with a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre. It also mandates that accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like in-law suites) be permitted by right in all single-family zones without unreasonable restrictions on location or design. The bill streamlines approval for cluster developments (grouped housing) by eliminating the need for standard subdivision plans and requiring planning board review instead. This directly affects local zoning ordinances, developers, and residents seeking more housing options in designated areas.