Rep. Tram Nguyen

Maddy summaryHD 2707 creates the "Nature for All Fund" to finance nature-based climate and conservation projects across Massachusetts. The fund, financed by specific sales tax revenues (codes 459110, 441210, and 713910), will support parks, trails, water protection, farm/forest conservation, and indigenous land access - prioritizing underserved communities and environmental justice areas. It establishes a 15-member board to oversee spending, requiring annual reports on funds directed to environmental justice populations. The fund will supplement, not replace, existing conservation programs and may issue bonds secured solely by its revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' public pension funds to review and reduce investments in climate risk assets, including fossil fuels and certain biofuels, to protect beneficiaries and taxpayers. It establishes a 12-member Climate Risk Investment Review Committee within the state treasurer's office to study climate-related financial risks and develop a divestment plan. The committee must create a plan to sell or withdraw from all climate risk investments by January 1, 2026, and report annually to the governor and legislature. The law directly affects the state's pension reserves, which manage retirement funds for public employees.

Senate, March 26, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 244) of Barry R. Finegold and Tram T. Nguyen for legislation to further assist employees through professional development training, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3000).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new bereavement leave policy for employees in the Commonwealth, allowing workers to take up to 10 business days of paid leave when a family member dies. The law defines family members broadly to include children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, and others with significant personal bonds, and permits leave to be used for funeral arrangements, attending services, or grieving. Employers must pay employees at their regular rate during this leave, maintain their benefits, and restore their position upon return, though businesses with fewer than 25 employees are exempt. The legislation also requires employers to notify staff of these rights and allows for reasonable documentation of the death, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2027.

By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 244) of Barry R. Finegold and Tram T. Nguyen for legislation to further assist employees through professional development training. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryHD 703 creates a new legal mechanism allowing employee advocacy groups, labor unions, or affected employees to sue employers for unpaid wages on behalf of the public. If successful, lawsuits recover triple the unpaid wages for employees who respond within 90 days, plus attorney fees, with a 20% surcharge on the award funding a wage enforcement account. This account provides immediate relief for urgent needs like housing, heat, or food for workers owed wages. Employers must also pay $50 per violation per pay period and the full unpaid wages for non-responsive employees, with these funds added to the enforcement account.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 709) creates a legal shield for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination who communicate about their experiences without malice. It prevents survivors from being held liable in slander or libel lawsuits for such communications, protecting them when reporting incidents. The law also allows defendants wrongly sued under defamation claims to recover attorney fees, costs, and treble damages. It applies to anyone with a reasonable basis to report an incident - even if they never filed a formal complaint.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a civil cause of action for individuals whose personal information (such as home address, phone number, or email) is maliciously shared without consent, with intent to cause harassment, stalking, injury, or death. To win a lawsuit, a plaintiff must prove the defendant knowingly disseminated their information without consent, with malicious intent, and that the sharing posed an immediate threat or caused actual harm. If successful, plaintiffs can recover damages, attorney fees, and other remedies, with courts considering if sensitive details (like health care or identity information) were shared alongside the personal data. The bill excludes liability for internet service providers, reporting of suspected crime, protected speech, or petitioning activities, and requires lawsuits to be filed within two years of the incident.

Maddy summaryHD 821 creates a new compensation program for victims of human trafficking and forced labor in Massachusetts. It allows eligible victims to receive up to $25,000 in lost wage compensation (capped at $12,500 annually for two years) for time deprived of liberty due to trafficking, without requiring formal employment documentation. The bill explicitly prevents criminal charges related to trafficking from disqualifying victims and ensures compensation does not count as income for other benefit programs. Victims can use sworn statements or alternative evidence to prove employment, and the program includes special provisions for minor victims and their guardians.

Maddy summaryHD 941 raises the age threshold for certain youthful offender indictments from 14 to 16 years old. It directly affects juveniles aged 14-16 who commit offenses involving serious bodily harm. Key changes include removing references to age 14 in the law, deleting a requirement about prior commitments to youth services, and eliminating a clause about mandatory commitment periods. The bill applies to juvenile cases not yet adjudicated when it takes effect.