Rep. Mike Connolly

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school teachers with 20+ years of service who return to full-time work after part-time teaching to count their part-time teaching years toward retirement benefits. Teachers may receive credit for up to 5 years of part-time service, calculated proportionally based on full-time equivalents. To qualify, teachers must pay the retirement system the equivalent of full-time deductions (plus interest) in a lump sum or installments. The policy directly affects teachers in Massachusetts' public school retirement systems who took part-time roles for parenting reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill addresses two main areas: regulating unfair fees in rental housing and encouraging housing production. It limits what landlords and brokers can charge tenants, allowing only first and last month's rent, a security deposit, and key costs, while prohibiting extra fees for lease renewals or adding optional charges like internet or insurance unless clearly described and opt-out options are provided. The bill also caps late payment penalties at five percent of monthly rent and restricts when landlords can charge attorney fees to tenants. Additionally, it promotes housing development by reducing parking requirements near transit stations, defining underutilized land for redevelopment, and ensuring publicly owned property is prioritized for low and moderate income housing.

Maddy summaryHD 3767 (An Act relative to summary process) creates a two-tier process for handling summary court cases in Massachusetts. The first tier requires parties to meet to discuss the case, explore mediation or resolution options, and plan for trial - without penalties for non-attendance. The second tier applies to unresolved cases, where the Clerk’s Office must send written notice of the trial date. This bill directly affects individuals and entities involved in summary process cases (typically small claims or civil matters), changing court procedure to prioritize early resolution efforts before trial.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts sentencing laws to increase parole eligibility for certain life-sentence prisoners. It requires that individuals serving multiple life sentences for separate crimes become eligible for parole after 25 years, removes automatic parole exclusions for some life-sentence prisoners, and sets minimum terms for first-degree murder convictions (25 years for adults, 15-20 years for those aged 14-18). The bill also establishes a voluntary Restorative Justice program in prisons for those serving over 25 years, allowing structured dialogue between offenders, victims, and communities to address harm. These changes directly affect prisoners serving life sentences under specific circumstances, particularly those convicted of murder or multiple offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 5 of Chapter 151B by extending the deadline for filing workplace discrimination claims from 300 days to 3 years. It directly affects workers who experience discrimination, giving them more time to take legal action. The key provision changes a specific time limit in the law, making it easier for individuals to seek justice without rushing to file within a shorter window. This is a procedural adjustment to existing law, not a new policy. The change applies to all claims covered under Chapter 151B.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 21-member task force to study the health, social justice, and equity implications of legalizing psilocybin and other entheogenic plants in Massachusetts. The task force will review research on physiological effects, gather data from U.S. and international communities that have implemented harm reduction approaches, and examine how drug prohibition impacts marginalized groups including Indigenous peoples, veterans, and communities of color. It will also develop recommendations for legalizing possession/consumption, addressing criminal records, and creating equitable access frameworks. The task force must submit its report and draft legislation to state legislators by June 2026. This bill does not legalize these substances but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Massachusetts Survivors Act," allowing adults and children charged with crimes who are survivors of abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking to seek relief in their criminal cases. Defendants can file a motion at any time after being charged, requesting pretrial diversion (suspended proceedings), reduced sentences, or postconviction relief, supported by evidence like court records, medical documentation, or expert testimony. The court must issue written findings on eligibility and sentence, and the Attorney General must annually report on all motions filed, granted, and demographic details. The law ensures no prior legal finding of abuse is required and protects defendants' constitutional rights during the process.

Maddy summaryHD 1293 bans law enforcement officers and agencies from purchasing, using, or allowing the use of tear gas or CS gas during operations. This law directly affects all police departments and officers in the state, prohibiting the use of these chemical agents on individuals. The key provision makes it a crime to violate the ban, punishable by a $5,000 criminal fine. The bill aims to restrict the use of specific chemical irritants that cause rapid sensory or physical effects during police encounters.