Rep. Ken Gordon

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kenneth I. Gordon that the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board be directed to grant creditable service to Abby Levin for certain service rendered at the Northampton Center for Children and Families. Public Service.

By Representative Soter of Bellingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2954) of Michael J. Soter and others relative to property taxes for 100% disabled veterans. Revenue.

By Representative Gordon of Bedford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2815) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to tax abatement for permanently disabled veterans. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund in Massachusetts to set stricter limits on how much money can be paid out to homeowners who sue contractors for violations. It caps payments to any single claimant at the lesser of $20,000 or their actual financial loss, while also limiting the total amount paid to claims against a single contractor to $100,000 within a twelve-month period. The fund administrator can only exceed these caps if the contractor repays the full amount, and the bill explicitly excludes consequential damages like attorney fees and punitive damages from coverage. Additionally, the law requires that by December 31, 2028, the single-claimant payment cap be raised from $20,000 to $30,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to protect the right to repair portable wireless devices, such as smartphones. It defines specific roles like "authorized repair providers" and "independent repair providers" to clarify who can legally fix these devices. The legislation requires manufacturers to provide necessary parts, tools, and technical documentation to independent repair shops on fair and reasonable terms, ensuring they have equal access to repair information. By mandating these provisions, the bill aims to allow consumers to choose where they get their devices fixed without being restricted by manufacturer policies.

The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 142) of Michael D. Brady, Sal N. DiDomenico, Anne M. Gobi, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to digital right to repair; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 360) of Adrian C. Madaro and others relative to digital right to repair, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2478).

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2389) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Susan L. Moran and Tackey Chan for legislation to facilitate restitution against unfinished development to be known as the FRAUD Act; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 313) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to the home improvement guaranty fund, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2472).

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act relative to healthy youth," is a procedural measure that does not contain specific policy language or substantive provisions. Instead, it serves to formally introduce a legislative concept or topic for further discussion within the Massachusetts General Court. The text provided lists numerous legislators who have signed onto the petition but does not include the operative sections that would define how the state would support youth health. Consequently, the bill currently functions as a placeholder to initiate the legislative process rather than establishing concrete rules or programs.