Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help Massachusetts residents with disabilities or their caregivers afford necessary home modifications. Eligible individuals with incomes at or below 120% of the area median income can receive up to 50% of the cost for approved changes, with a maximum grant of $5,000. The program covers specific improvements like zero-step entrances, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, and medical equipment backups, provided the work meets established accessibility standards. Applicants must submit proof of completed renovations, such as invoices and before-and-after photos, to receive funding. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will oversee the program guidelines in consultation with the relevant department.
Rep. Joe McKenna
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to eliminate the $20 annual fee currently required for veterans to display special "VETERAN" license plates in Massachusetts. By removing this specific charge, the legislation would allow veterans to obtain these plates without paying the extra cost on top of standard vehicle registration fees. The change directly affects military veterans in the state who wish to use the designated license plate designation.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates an agricultural healthy incentives program in Massachusetts that directly affects Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The program would allow these individuals to receive a matching benefit on their EBT cards when they purchase fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. The Department of Transitional Assistance, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health, would operate the program and set specific spending limits. This initiative aims to encourage healthier food choices among low-income families by providing financial incentives for buying produce.
Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens local food systems in Massachusetts by requiring the state emergency management agency to create plans that support agricultural and food production during supply chain disruptions. It establishes a full-time food system coordinator within the state council to oversee existing programs, track progress, and improve collaboration between different government departments. Additionally, the bill creates a non-enforcement circuit rider program to provide free on-site guidance to farmers about regulations and funding opportunities. These measures aim to improve resilience against food shortages and better support local producers through dedicated coordination and assistance.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate how people falsely claim to have service animals. The commission will consist of fifteen members, including officials from the state judiciary, police, disability offices, and advocacy groups for both service animals and other types of pets. Its primary task is to study the issue of misrepresentation and make recommendations on how to address it.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding service animals and establish a formal process for verifying their legitimate status. It creates a new section in the state's general laws to define terms like "service dog" and "service-dog-in-training" based on federal standards, while explicitly protecting business owners from misrepresentation. A key provision requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute a verification decal for businesses to display in their windows or doors. This decal will be created in collaboration with national service dog organizations, restaurant owner associations, and business owner associations to help identify legitimate service animals.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve early education and care in Massachusetts by making services more affordable, accessible, and high-quality for children and their families. It seeks to support child development and strengthen the state's economy by expanding access to these essential services. The legislation outlines specific goals to enhance the quality of care and reduce costs, though the provided text does not detail the exact funding mechanisms or implementation steps.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to increase the minimum contribution required for the Douglas State Forest Maintenance Trust Fund from $1 to $5. The change directly affects individuals or entities that currently make donations to this specific fund for forest maintenance. By updating the statutory language, the legislation ensures that the trust fund can receive higher contributions to support its operations. This adjustment is a straightforward policy update that modifies the financial threshold for donations without altering the fund's overall purpose or management structure.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed ticket sellers and platforms in Massachusetts to clearly show the full price of a ticket, including all mandatory fees, before a customer selects it for purchase. It mandates that the total cost and the specific amount of any service charges be displayed prominently in the same font size as the total price to prevent confusion. Additionally, the law prohibits sellers from increasing the ticket price during the checkout process, with the exception of reasonable delivery fees for non-electronic tickets that are disclosed before payment is accepted. These rules apply to anyone selling tickets for events like theater shows, public performances, or amusement parks that require a license.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission in Massachusetts to study and develop policies against the financial abuse of people over the age of 60. The commission will be composed of legislators, legal experts, advocates for the elderly, representatives from the real estate and financial industries, and staff from aging councils. Its specific tasks include investigating how financial abuse impacts seniors, reviewing predatory lending practices, examining undervalued property transfers, and analyzing deceptive telemarketing or online scams targeting older adults. The group is required to submit a final report with policy recommendations to state officials by December 31, 2021.