Rep. Tara Hong

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Massachusetts maintains voter registration lists. It replaces automatic removal of voters after two years of inactivity with a new "inactive voters list" system. Registrars must send voters a notice if their address appears outdated, giving them 2 years to confirm continued residency by voting, returning a notice card, or submitting written affirmation. Voters on the inactive list can restore their status without penalty during this period. The bill directly affects residents whose addresses may no longer match registration records, ensuring they aren't removed without opportunity to verify eligibility.

By Representative Biele of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 325) of David Biele and others relative to the sale of alcoholic beverages at certain venues. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryHD 856 would allow eligible Massachusetts voters to register in person on election day at their polling place or an early voting site. To register, voters must present proof of residence (like a utility bill or driver's license) and sign an affidavit confirming they meet voting requirements (citizenship, age, residency, etc.), with penalties for false statements including up to 5 years in prison or a $5,000 fine. The bill requires election officials to immediately permit voting after registration, adds the voter to the permanent list, and allows provisional ballots if proof of residence isn't presented upfront (requiring submission within 2-6 days). This directly affects voters who miss traditional registration deadlines but reside in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryHD 382 establishes a statewide "community connect program" in Massachusetts to connect younger volunteers (including students and working adults) with seniors. The bill requires the Department of Elder Affairs to create senior resources centers in senior living facilities and community centers, offering health screenings, mental health counseling, legal aid, and workshops on financial literacy and technology. Volunteers assisting seniors with tech skills, errands, or companionship can earn community service credits (for students), and the program includes recognition awards for outstanding volunteers. The law takes effect one year after passage and directly affects seniors seeking support and volunteers aged 18+ participating in the program.

Maddy summaryHD 754 creates a Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund to help homeowners repair or replace residential foundations damaged by pyrite or pyrrhotite. The fund, managed by the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, provides financial assistance for repairs, reimburses homeowners who already paid for fixes (up to the fund amount), and exempts these repairs from property taxes. It is funded through state appropriations, federal programs (like HUD's Section 108), private donations, and interest, with annual reports required to the legislature. A stakeholder working group must also develop long-term solutions by February 2026, including potential funding models like insurance surcharges. This directly affects Massachusetts homeowners with deteriorating foundations and aims to reduce municipal fiscal strain.

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.

Maddy summaryHD 330 creates a new legal mechanism allowing certain entities to sue construction employers who fail to pay wages on behalf of the Commonwealth. Specifically, "Interested Parties" (including other construction employers, labor organizations, or affected employees) can file lawsuits to recover triple the unpaid wages plus a 20% surcharge. The surcharge funds a wage enforcement program used by the Attorney General to enforce wage laws, educate workers and employers, and provide emergency loans to affected employees for housing, heat, or food. This directly targets wage non-payment in construction projects, aiming to stop unfair competition from employers who underpay workers.

Maddy summaryHD 894 prohibits research institutions and product testing facilities from separating infant nonhuman primates (such as monkeys) from their biological mothers for research or testing purposes, except when medically necessary for the health of either animal. If separation occurs for medical reasons, facilities must minimize distress without sedatives or restraint and reunite mother and infant as soon as possible. The law applies to facilities testing products like cosmetics, drugs, or medical devices and covers the first 12 months of an infant’s life. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health must create implementing regulations within 90 days of the bill’s passage.

Maddy summaryHD 1804 creates new criminal offenses in Massachusetts law for sexual misconduct by rideshare operators against passengers during a ride. It specifically defines "indecent assault and battery" (punishable by up to 5 years in prison) and "rape" (punishable by up to 20 years in prison) when committed by a rideshare driver during a ride. The bill establishes that passengers are deemed incapable of consenting to sexual contact during the ride period, which begins when the driver accepts the ride request and ends when the passenger exits the vehicle. This directly affects rideshare drivers operating through transportation network companies and their passengers in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryHD 3912 creates a state-funded program providing free legal representation to low-income tenants and homeowners facing eviction or housing subsidy termination in Massachusetts. It directly affects eligible individuals who qualify based on income (80% of area median income or less), public assistance status, or inability to pay court costs without hardship. The program, administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, will fund designated legal aid organizations to provide "full legal representation" in covered housing cases, including eviction proceedings. These organizations must serve low-income communities, ensure language access, and work with an advisory committee of housing advocates and tenants.