Rep. Kim Ferguson

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts unemployment insurance rules for two specific groups. It prohibits unemployment benefits for municipal employees providing services to educational institutions (like school staff working for towns). Additionally, it reduces unemployment benefits by 65% for individuals receiving pensions from their previous employer (based on their prior work with that employer), but only if they worked at least 75% of their service years for that employer and the reduction aligns with federal tax rules. Social Security payments are exempt from this reduction. The changes directly affect municipal workers in education and those receiving pensions who file for unemployment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts workers' compensation law to deny benefits to employees injured due to "serious willful misconduct," including intoxication or illegal drug use (as defined by state law). It directly affects workers who cause their own injuries through intentional actions like being under the influence or using controlled substances. The key change removes prior exceptions for such misconduct, though it maintains that dependents may still receive benefits if the injury results in death. The policy shifts eligibility by explicitly barring compensation for these specific self-inflicted injury scenarios.

Maddy summaryHD 1407 allows employers to avoid liability for certain wage violations - such as failing to pay Sunday/holiday work or overtime - if they prove they acted in good faith based on a written opinion from the state labor department. Employers can use this defense even if the department later changes or invalidates that opinion. The law applies to all wage-related claims under existing state law, including those involving commissioned employees. It provides a legal shield for employers in disputes over compliance with wage statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts workers' compensation law to clarify when benefits may be suspended. It directly affects injured workers who are medically cleared to return to work but refuse to do so. The key provision states that if a registered physician determines an employee is fit to return to work and the employee refuses, their right to compensation is suspended, and any compensation during that suspension period may be forfeited. The change creates a specific mechanism for withholding benefits when an employee declines a work opportunity deemed safe by a medical professional. This policy adjustment aims to align benefit eligibility with medical clearance and return-to-work obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill denies access to Commonwealth-subsidized public housing for individuals convicted of Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenses in Massachusetts. It directly affects people with these specific sex offense convictions who would otherwise qualify for subsidized housing. The law amends housing statutes to require such denial by inserting a new subsection (q) into the relevant chapter. This creates a mandatory restriction on housing eligibility for these individuals in publicly funded housing units. The policy change is limited to housing subsidized by the state, not all public housing.

Maddy summaryHD 2258 requires Massachusetts public housing programs to prioritize applicants eligible for federal assisted housing under 42 U.S.C. section 1436a over applicants who are not federally eligible. It directly affects individuals applying for state-assisted housing in Massachusetts who may not qualify for federal programs. The bill's key provision states that non-federally eligible applicants cannot be given priority or displace federally eligible applicants in the housing selection process. This amendment to Chapter 121B of the General Laws ensures federal eligibility status determines priority for public housing placements.

Maddy summaryHD 3741 requires the director of the emergency shelter program (or their designee) to hold at least one community meeting in a host community at least one month before opening any emergency overflow shelter. This directly affects communities where shelters are planned and the state agency managing shelters. The bill mandates that notice of the meeting must be posted on the housing office website and sent directly to the host community. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes eligibility for Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program by requiring applicants to have lived in the state for at least three months. It exempts veterans, their immediate family, domestic violence victims, and people displaced by fires or natural disasters in Massachusetts from this residency requirement. Applicants must provide documentation like ID, utility bills, or bank statements to prove residency. The rule applies to all applications submitted on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHD 253 amends a section of the General Laws to include licensed electricians employed by regional school districts in a specific legal provision that previously only covered county employees. The bill inserts the phrase "employees of a regional school district who are employed as licensed electricians" after the word "county" in the law text. This change ensures these electricians are covered under the same legal requirements as county-employed electricians for the relevant provision. The bill directly affects licensed electricians working for regional school districts in Massachusetts by expanding their inclusion in this specific regulatory framework.

Maddy summaryHD 2259 establishes a special commission to examine recertification practices in Massachusetts' low and moderate income housing programs. The commission will investigate current policies, document management practices, and develop strategies to reduce recertification fraud affecting publicly funded housing. It must include housing officials, legislative members, and housing experts, and submit recommendations by December 31, 2026. The bill directly impacts local housing authorities and the state's publicly financed housing programs.