Rep. Susan Gifford

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for calculating prejudgment interest in Massachusetts courts, which is money awarded to a winning party for the time between a lawsuit filing and the final judgment. Instead of using a fixed 12 percent annual rate, the law would now require courts to calculate interest based on the weekly average yield of one-year U.S. Treasury bonds published by the Federal Reserve. This change directly affects judges, lawyers, and individuals or businesses involved in civil litigation by making interest rates fluctuate with market conditions rather than staying static.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill prohibits level 3 sex offenders from living in the same home as another level 3 sex offender. The law applies to single-family homes and apartments, banning cohabitation unless the individuals are legally related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Anyone who violates this rule faces a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 2.5 years, or both, and must report the violation to the sex offender registry board.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public employee" in Massachusetts to include referees, umpires, and other officials working at school sports events. By registering with relevant sports organizations, these individuals would receive enhanced penalties if they are assaulted or battered while performing their duties. The change applies to volunteers, independent contractors, and paid staff alike, ensuring that anyone officiating a school game is covered under existing protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow homeowners to rent out accessory dwelling units without being subject to state discrimination protections that typically apply to other residential leases. The legislation specifically affects owners of these secondary living spaces, granting them the legal ability to choose tenants based on their own preferences rather than adhering to standard fair housing rules. However, the law includes a provision that requires the owner to offer the unit to an immediate family member first, only waiving discrimination protections if no family member chooses to rent it.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect private property owners by restricting the government's ability to use eminent domain for commercial projects or private economic development. It mandates that property takings must be for genuine public use, such as public occupancy, and requires courts to independently decide if a proposed use is truly public rather than accepting a legislative claim. Additionally, the legislation includes a provision that if the government does not use the taken property for its intended purpose within five years, it must offer to sell the land back to the original owner or their heirs at the lower of the original purchase price or the fair market value at the time of taking.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. The change updates Chapter 151B to clarify that the term refers to hatred toward Jews and includes specific descriptions of how such hatred can be expressed through rhetoric or actions against individuals, property, and community institutions. By incorporating this external standard, the legislation provides a consistent framework for identifying antisemitism within the state's legal and administrative contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special task force to examine how financial technology and current banking rules affect Massachusetts. The nine-member group includes state legislators, representatives from technology organizations, and experts appointed by the Commissioner of Banks. The task force will review existing laws, gather reports from banks and tech companies, and propose new ways to integrate financial technology into the state. Within 12 months of passing, the group must submit a final report with recommendations and any draft legislation to the General Court.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove a specific limitation on how bank fees are assessed for tax purposes. By deleting the phrase "established for personal, family or household purposes," the legislation allows these fees to be included in the calculation of property taxes regardless of their intended use. The change directly affects homeowners and the state's tax assessment process by altering the criteria used to determine taxable value.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to regulate rent escrow accounts used when tenants withhold rent due to unsafe living conditions. It requires banks to create two-party escrow accounts upon a tenant's request without needing to verify the landlord's identity beforehand. To qualify for withholding rent, tenants must now obtain a formal violation certification from a local health or building agency and provide written notice to the landlord before taking action. Additionally, the bill specifies that rent must be deposited into a court clerk's account, an attorney-controlled escrow, or the new two-party bank account to be eligible for relief. These changes aim to standardize the process for tenants seeking to withhold rent while ensuring funds are held securely until disputes are resolved.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.