Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program, a state-run initiative designed to help private-sector employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions. It creates a new board to administer the program and defines eligibility for employers, which must have at least five employees, operate for two years, and not currently offer a qualified retirement plan. The program allows eligible workers to automatically enroll in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), with contributions deducted directly from their paychecks and held in a separate trust fund that is not considered state property. Employers participating in the program are required to facilitate these payroll deductions, while the state provides the administrative framework to make retirement savings more accessible and portable for workers.
Rep. Pat Duffy
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of individuals in Massachusetts to request the permanent removal of their juvenile and young adult criminal records from public access. It directly affects people who were processed as delinquents or youthful offenders by allowing them to petition for expungement even if they have more than two prior records, provided those records did not result in an adjudication or conviction. The legislation also extends the time limits for filing these petitions, permitting requests for felony offenses if they occurred at least seven years ago and for misdemeanors if they occurred at least three years ago. Additionally, the bill clarifies that expunged records must be permanently erased so they are no longer accessible to courts or agencies, though anonymized data may be kept for statistical and research purposes.
Maddy summaryThe provided text is a petition listing the names and districts of legislators and citizens who support a bill titled "An Act empowering students and schools to thrive." It does not contain the actual legislative text, so the specific provisions, mechanisms, or direct effects of the bill are not described. Consequently, a summary of the policy changes or the bill's functional impact cannot be generated from the information given.
By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3272) of Natalie M. Blais and others for legislation to increase regional transit accessibility. Transportation.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commission to study how Massachusetts distributes unrestricted local aid to cities and towns. The commission will examine the current funding formula to check if it is fair and effective, looking at factors like population changes and a town's ability to raise its own money. The group will be made up of state officials, elected legislators representing gateway municipalities, and representatives from various public interest organizations. By July 1, the commission must submit a report with its findings and suggestions for a more equitable distribution system to the state legislature.
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options (House, No. 4785), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4999).
By Representative Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3314) of Brandy Fluker Oakley and others relative providing notices and taking certain other actions to reduce debt-based driving restrictions. Transportation.
By Representatives LeBoeuf of Worcester and Duffy of Holyoke, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2356) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and Patricia A. Duffy relative to establishing and administering a program to assist landlords and lessors with providing fire safety education and fire prevention measures in multi-unit residential properties. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide housing goal to build 427,000 new units in Massachusetts by 2040, with specific targets for affordable housing for low- and middle-income families. It requires the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development to submit annual reports detailing progress on these goals, including data on market-rate units, accessibility features, senior housing, foreign property purchases, and short-term rentals. Additionally, the bill adds a definition for "bus station" to clarify that it refers to a building with walls and a foundation at the intersection of bus lines, excluding simple shelters.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units, also known as in-law suites, in single-family residential areas on lots of at least 5,000 square feet. The legislation defines these units as self-contained living spaces with separate entrances that cannot be sold separately from the main home and must be at least 450 square feet but no larger than half the size of the primary dwelling or 900 square feet. A key provision requires that at least one person in either the main house or the new unit must be elderly or have a disability, while still permitting municipalities to limit the total number of such units to a minimum of 5 percent of existing housing. Additionally, the bill sets specific rules for parking, requiring no more than one additional space, and allows local governments to regulate setbacks and building height.