By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2747) of Mike Connolly and others for legislation to support affordable housing with a local option for a fee to be applied to certain real estate transactions. Revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to expand access to medical parole for incarcerated individuals by updating the definitions of permanent incapacitation and terminal illness. It requires correctional facilities to consider parole requests from prisoners, attorneys, family members, or medical providers, with a strict timeline for reviewing these petitions. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Correction identify cognitively incapacitated prisoners through annual standardized assessments and allows them to choose a surrogate decision-maker to advocate on their behalf. Additionally, the bill ensures that risk assessments for violent recidivism account for a prisoner's medical condition and considers whether community-based treatment could reduce that risk.
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill authorizing additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the city of Boston (House, No. 4696), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 5039).
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement local rent control and eviction protections for multi-family housing. Under the new Tenant Protection Act, municipalities that opt in can regulate rents and require landlords to provide specific reasons, such as non-payment or lease violations, before evicting tenants. The law includes exemptions for owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units, newly constructed buildings, and certain specialized facilities like dormitories and hospitals. Additionally, the bill permits local governments to set fair return standards for landlords and establish administrative bodies to oversee these regulations and assist small property owners.
Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act enabling local options for tenant protections," amends Massachusetts law to allow cities and towns to choose whether to implement specific local tenant protections. Under the new provisions, municipalities that opt in can regulate rent and evictions in multi-family housing, provided they also establish fair return standards for property owners and exclude owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units. The legislation defines "just cause" evictions, permitting landlords to end tenancies only for specific reasons such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or illegal activity. Additionally, the bill allows local communities to set income-based eligibility requirements for regulated units and create administrative bodies to oversee these programs and assist small landlords. Ultimately, the act shifts the decision-making power regarding these housing measures to individual municipalities rather than mandating them statewide.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement rent control and eviction protections for residents in their communities. If a municipality opts in, it must pass local rules that cap how much landlords can raise rents each year and ensure evictions only happen for specific, justified reasons like non-payment or lease violations. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, properties already regulated by other agencies, college dorms, and elderly care facilities. Local governments would have the option to adopt these measures through various methods, including ordinances or binding votes by their residents.
By Representative Nguyen of Andover, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2245) of Tram T. Nguyen and others for legislation to strengthen the direct care and dementia workforce. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a new program that provides grants for expanding mental health services to pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines key terms such as "perinatal" to cover the time from pregnancy through one year after birth and establishes specific criteria for identifying areas with inadequate access to care. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund projects aimed at growing and diversifying the workforce of mental health providers who specialize in perinatal care. By creating these definitions and funding mechanisms, the bill seeks to improve access to mental health support for new parents and those involved in the care of infants.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund in Massachusetts to support the energy-efficient upgrades of existing buildings. The fund, managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, provides financial assistance for projects that make buildings highly energy efficient, switch to all-electric systems, install renewable energy sources, and use low-carbon materials. Priority funding is directed toward affordable housing, public schools, and small businesses, with a specific focus on communities in environmental justice areas, gateway cities, and those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Additionally, the legislation allows money to cover necessary remediation costs, such as mold removal or lead paint mitigation, that must be addressed before renovations can begin.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of who can be paid as a caregiver under MassHealth-funded home and community services to include legally liable family members such as parents, guardians, and adult children. Currently, these programs often restrict paid caregiving to unrelated professionals, but this legislation would allow eligible family members to receive compensation for their care work. To implement this change, the state's health and human services office must submit a formal plan amendment or waiver application to federal authorities. The measure aims to support families by enabling them to be formally recognized and financially compensated for providing care to their loved ones.
