Rep. Steve Owens

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to improve legal support and housing security for people facing eviction or the loss of housing subsidies. It creates a new advisory committee to oversee the program and defines specific legal actions, such as those involving mobile home parks or public housing, as "covered proceedings." The legislation designates non-profit organizations to provide legal counsel to individuals involved in these housing-related cases. By formalizing this support system, the bill aims to ensure that tenants have access to legal representation when their housing stability is at risk.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Climate Bank, a public entity designed to help fund climate and clean energy projects across the state. The bank will operate under a board of directors and has the authority to provide various financial tools such as loans, loan guarantees, and credit enhancements to support innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or improve energy efficiency. Its primary goal is to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy while ensuring that disadvantaged and low-income communities benefit from these developments. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for terms like "climate and clean energy innovations" to guide the bank's activities in line with the state's existing emission limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts court administrator to move the Cambridge District Court from Medford back to Cambridge by December 31, 2023. The legislation directs the executive office of the trial court to issue a report within 90 days outlining the timeline for this relocation. It specifically addresses the court's current location, which has been in Medford since 2009, and mandates its return to Cambridge.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study and recommend strategies for implementing mobility pricing, including tolls on roads and fare changes for public transportation. The commission will consist of state officials, industry experts, and representatives from various community groups, with specific seats reserved for advocates of low-income residents. Its primary tasks involve analyzing the technical, legal, and social equity aspects of pricing schemes, estimating costs and revenues, and considering how these changes might affect traffic, emissions, and different neighborhoods. The commission is required to submit a final report with its findings and recommendations by July 1, 2025.

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 creates a new grant program to help Massachusetts school districts expand access to full-day, high-quality prekindergarten for children aged two and a half to five. To receive funding, districts must meet strict standards, including maintaining a teacher-to-student ratio of no more than 10 to 1, ensuring teacher salaries match those of kindergarten staff, and providing inclusive, evidence-based instruction. Priority for these grants will be given to districts with lower third-grade reading scores and higher rates of economic disadvantage, aiming to reduce achievement gaps and improve early literacy.