Rep. Natalie Higgins

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts regional transit authorities to transition their bus fleets to electric vehicles by 2035, with specific procurement targets: 40% electric buses by 2028, 60% by 2030, and 80% by 2032. It prioritizes electrifying routes serving environmental justice communities (defined as areas disproportionately affected by pollution) and mandates annual reporting on progress, including reasons for using fossil fuel vehicles. The Department of Transportation must create a support office by 2026 to assist with planning, procurement, and worker retraining for employees impacted by the shift. Transit authorities must also conduct community outreach with environmental justice populations and include fossil fuel infrastructure details in public reports.

Maddy summaryHD 3178 establishes a state-funded matching grant program (the "Equitable EV Facilities Matching Fund") to help cities and towns finance parking facility projects with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The bill requires eligible projects to reduce downtown surface parking, provide affordable EV charging in dense housing areas, support housing growth, and follow urban design standards. Municipalities receive reimbursement for project costs (ranging from 30% to 80% based on local median income) after completing work that meets the fund's standards. This program directly affects local governments seeking to modernize parking infrastructure while advancing EV access and downtown walkability.

Maddy summaryHD 631 creates a 1-year pilot program for fare-free bus service on all MBTA bus routes and Regional Transit Authority (RTA) routes in Massachusetts, effective by December 31, 2026. The bill requires MBTA to include at least 10 priority routes (including specific connections to rail stations and high-ridership routes from 2020) and RTAs to include at least one high-ridership route. It establishes advisory groups for both programs with diverse members (including transit staff, disability advocates, environmental justice representatives, and community voices) to track impacts on ridership, equity, system efficiency, and costs. The groups must report findings quarterly to oversight boards and submit a final report after the pilot concludes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurers to notify an agent of record at least 21 days before lapsing life, disability, or long-term care insurance policies, directly affecting insurance agents and policyholders. Insurers must send the notice via mail, email, or electronic delivery to the agent’s listed address, but the agent is not held responsible for preventing the lapse. Exceptions apply if the insurer uses an automated system to notify brokers, has no current agent record, or the agent works for the insurer or its affiliate. The law aims to give agents time to address coverage issues before policies lapse.

Maddy summaryH 1954 would provide legal representation to eligible immigrants and refugees facing deportation who cannot afford an attorney. The bill directs state funding to establish a program connecting these individuals with qualified legal aid providers. It specifically targets people in removal proceedings who lack access to counsel due to financial barriers. This creates a concrete system for fairer immigration court outcomes without altering federal immigration law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Massachusetts state and local government agencies (including police departments, sheriff's offices, and correctional facilities) from entering new agreements with federal immigration authorities for immigration enforcement or detention. It also requires all existing agreements of this type to end within 30 days (for enforcement agreements) or 90 days (for detention agreements) after the law takes effect. The Attorney General can enforce the law by seeking court orders to stop violations. The bill directly affects how Massachusetts law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities regarding detention and enforcement.

By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 516) of Natalie M. Blais for legislation to establish employee screening requirements in schools to prevent child sexual abuse. Education.

Maddy summaryH 5126 would require courts to assess probationers for substance use disorders and order treatment instead of jail time for relapse. It mandates individualized treatment plans using licensed providers or evidence-based practices (like medication-assisted therapy), with courts reviewing provider reports on progress. Probationers who complete treatment but relapse may receive additional treatment rather than incarceration. The bill preserves courts' authority to use other probation sanctions for public safety while shifting focus from punishment to treatment for substance use issues.

Maddy summaryHD 522 increases unemployment insurance benefits for low-wage workers in Massachusetts. It changes how weekly benefits are calculated, setting a minimum of 20% of the average weekly wage for all covered workers (or 75% of the individual’s wage, whichever is lower), while capping the maximum at 57.5% of the average wage. The bill also reduces the maximum total benefits from 30 times the weekly rate to 26 times, but only if unemployment stays below 5.1% across all 10 Massachusetts metro areas for 10 months. Crucially, it ensures individuals cannot lose benefits if the unemployment threshold isn’t met during their benefit year.

Maddy summaryHD 3165 establishes a $25 per hour minimum wage for care workers in home care agencies and social service programs, with annual inflation adjustments based on the U.S. Department of Labor's CPI index. The bill directly affects home care workers and social service program providers by requiring agencies to pay this enhanced wage. Key provisions mandate that state payment rates for these services must fully cover the cost of this higher wage, adjusted annually for inflation. This policy change ensures care workers' compensation keeps pace with living costs while requiring rate adjustments to providers' reimbursement.