Rep. Steven Howitt

By Representatives Doherty of Taunton and Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2501) of Carol A. Doherty, Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to providing for Group 4 retirement benefits for police officers working on public higher education campuses. Public Service.

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3176) of Steven S. Howitt relative to redefining the term natural gas compressor station. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3175) of Steven S. Howitt relative to regulating the location of fossil fuel transmission pipelines. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3174) of Steven S. Howitt relative to towing rates for commercially registered vehicle not requiring a CDL license. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every high school in Massachusetts that offers interscholastic sports to employ a licensed athletic trainer. It also mandates that any athletic trainer or coach providing head injury safety training must complete annual certification. Additionally, the law updates terminology to explicitly include athletic trainers alongside coaches in relevant sections of existing statutes. These changes aim to improve student safety by ensuring professional medical oversight during school sports activities.

By Representative Ferguson of Holden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2160) of Kimberly N. Ferguson and others that the board of registration of psychologists be authorized to promulgate regulations relative to the reciprocity of psychologists. Public Health.

By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2199) of Steven S. Howitt relative to exempting barber shops from certain system sewage flow design criteria. Public Health.

By Representative Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2221) of John J. Lawn, Jr., and others that the Department of Public Health establish a voluntary certification training program for care of certain patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts tax lien procedures to provide clearer protections and information for residential property owners facing foreclosure. It requires tax purchasers to notify homeowners within 12 days of buying their tax liens, ensuring the notice includes contact details and explains the owner's rights to redeem the property. The law also mandates that notices be sent via certified mail and posted on the property in plain language, including translations in the seven most common languages spoken in the state. Additionally, the bill defines how to calculate any remaining value owed to a homeowner after a property is sold to satisfy tax debts. These changes aim to improve transparency and ensure residents understand the steps involved in tax foreclosure processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts tax lien procedures to better protect homeowners by clarifying how much money they might get back if their property is sold to pay off taxes. It requires government officials and private buyers of tax liens to send clear, plain-language notices in English and seven other common languages before taking legal action or selling the debt. These notices must explain the foreclosure process, how to reclaim the property, and the specific costs involved, while also defining how any leftover value from a property sale will be returned to the former owner. Additionally, the law mandates that initial tax demands for residential homes be sent via certified mail and posted publicly to ensure owners are properly informed.