Rep. Mindy Domb

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts state pension funds to divest from companies that generate significant revenue from civilian ammunition, firearms, or firearm accessories. Specifically, funds must identify and sell all direct holdings in such companies within 12 months of enactment, while requesting fund managers to remove these companies from indirect holdings (e.g., mutual funds). The policy applies to entities deriving over 15% of revenue from non-law enforcement or non-military sales of these products. Annual reports detailing divestments must be submitted to the attorney general and state legislative committees. The bill also exempts funds from conflicting laws and provides legal protection for officials implementing the policy.

Maddy summaryHD 754 creates a Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund to help homeowners repair or replace residential foundations damaged by pyrite or pyrrhotite. The fund, managed by the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, provides financial assistance for repairs, reimburses homeowners who already paid for fixes (up to the fund amount), and exempts these repairs from property taxes. It is funded through state appropriations, federal programs (like HUD's Section 108), private donations, and interest, with annual reports required to the legislature. A stakeholder working group must also develop long-term solutions by February 2026, including potential funding models like insurance surcharges. This directly affects Massachusetts homeowners with deteriorating foundations and aims to reduce municipal fiscal strain.

Maddy summaryHD 2707 creates the "Nature for All Fund" to finance nature-based climate and conservation projects across Massachusetts. The fund, financed by specific sales tax revenues (codes 459110, 441210, and 713910), will support parks, trails, water protection, farm/forest conservation, and indigenous land access - prioritizing underserved communities and environmental justice areas. It establishes a 15-member board to oversee spending, requiring annual reports on funds directed to environmental justice populations. The fund will supplement, not replace, existing conservation programs and may issue bonds secured solely by its revenues.

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 establishes a new bereavement leave policy for employees in the Commonwealth, allowing workers to take up to 10 business days of paid leave when a family member dies. The law defines family members broadly to include children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, and others with significant personal bonds, and permits leave to be used for funeral arrangements, attending services, or grieving. Employers must pay employees at their regular rate during this leave, maintain their benefits, and restore their position upon return, though businesses with fewer than 25 employees are exempt. The legislation also requires employers to notify staff of these rights and allows for reasonable documentation of the death, with the law taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHD 3355 establishes a task force to review Massachusetts' laws on domestic violence and sexual assault reporting confidentiality. The task force, including survivors and advocates, will assess current laws (like Section 97D) and recommend changes to protect survivors' privacy without shielding abusers. It must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature within 18 months of the bill's effective date. This procedural bill does not change existing laws but sets up a formal review process.

Maddy summaryHD 1828 requires employers to provide new written wage notices within 10 days of hire, detailing pay rates, pay schedules, and business contact information in the employee's preferred language. It creates joint liability for wage theft among lead contractors, labor contractors, and subcontractors, holding their officers personally accountable. The Attorney General gains new enforcement powers to sue for treble damages, lost wages, and attorney fees on behalf of affected workers. The bill also adjusts unemployment benefits to account for unpaid wages during the benefit calculation period.

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 creates a new legal framework to address abusive lawsuits between family or household members where one party has been found to have committed abuse. It defines "controlling and abusive litigation" as legal actions primarily intended to harass, intimidate, or maintain contact with a victim, often involving repetitive claims or lacking legal merit. Victims can request court orders restricting such litigation, which would require courts to verify abuse history and litigation patterns before imposing penalties. If found abusive, the case is dismissed with prejudice, and the perpetrator must pay all costs, attorney fees, and faces a 48-72 month ban on filing new lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHD 2894 creates a new legal process for victims of economic abuse - defined as debts incurred due to identity theft, fraud, or coercion by family/household members (per G.L. c. 209A) or caretakers of elders/disabled individuals (per G.L. c. 265, §13K) - to challenge debts. Victims can submit a "Statement of Debt incurred through Economic Abuse" with supporting documentation (e.g., police reports, court orders, or verified statements from qualified third parties like healthcare providers or law enforcement). Upon receipt, creditors must immediately stop collection efforts, remove negative credit reports, return any payments made, and notify victims in writing within 10 business days. This law directly affects victims of abuse and their creditors, requiring clear, bilingual (English/Spanish) communication and streamlined resolution of disputed debts.