Rep. Priscila Sousa

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program called the Food Justice Frontline to provide paid work opportunities in food production, distribution, preparation, and delivery for residents living in food-insecure areas of Massachusetts. The program would offer grants of up to $500,000 to nonprofit organizations that operate in communities facing high levels of environmental pollution and low income, requiring those organizations to hire local residents at a wage calculated based on state per capita income. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources would manage the program, set application rules, and ensure that grant funds are used exclusively to create these jobs within the targeted overburdened communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to prevent senior homelessness by capping rent increases for elderly tenants in specific situations. It applies to individuals over 60 who live in rental units sold to new owners and are either applying for public housing or waiting for a spot on a public housing list. Under the new rules, landlords can only raise rents by the lower of the local Consumer Price Index change or five percent for a period of five years. The protections do not apply to owner-occupied buildings with two units or fewer or to units already regulated by public authorities. Additionally, the law requires cities and towns to ensure these rent limits are available to seniors earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the state reimbursement rate for special education transportation costs in Massachusetts from 75% to 90%. The change would directly affect school districts and families that rely on state funding to cover the expenses of transporting students with disabilities to and from school. By amending the relevant state law, the legislation ensures that districts receive a higher percentage of the actual costs incurred for these services. This adjustment aims to provide more financial support to districts managing transportation for special education students.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that incarcerated youth in Massachusetts have access to education by allowing them to enroll in public colleges and universities. It mandates that public secondary schools grant credit for coursework completed while students are in correctional facilities and include this work on their official transcripts. The legislation also requires correctional facilities to identify students needing special education services and provides for a minimum of six hours of classroom instruction per weekday throughout the year for those under 22. Additionally, the bill mandates that interpretation and translation services be available for English Language Learner students to ensure they can fully participate in special education processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a universal school meal program in Massachusetts to provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students. It would require the state to allocate funding for these meals and mandate that every school district participate in the program. The legislation aims to ensure that every child attending a public school in the Commonwealth receives nutritious food at no cost to their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands compensation for individuals wrongfully convicted in Massachusetts by lowering the legal standard of proof required to receive financial aid from "clear and convincing" evidence to merely a "preponderance of the evidence." It also broadens eligibility to include those who have received judicial relief based on innocence, even if the court did not explicitly address every ground for their release. The legislation mandates that cases be processed on a fast track and ensures that claimants receive preliminary relief immediately upon filing their complaint. Additionally, the bill requires the state to assign social service advocates to help eligible individuals access transitional services for their physical, social, and emotional needs after release from incarceration.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new health coverage program for children and young adults under 21 in Massachusetts who currently lack access to MassHealth solely because of their immigration status. It allows these individuals to receive comprehensive health benefits similar to those available to other residents who meet standard income and age requirements, regardless of whether they qualify for federal funding. The law mandates that the state maximize available federal money for these benefits but ensures that eligibility is not dependent on receiving that federal support.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Education to create and manage a grant program aimed at helping social work students find field placement opportunities. The funding is specifically intended to recruit and retain Master of Social Work students from historically marginalized and low-income communities. Money for this initiative would come from state, federal, or other available resources, including existing trust funds. The legislation seeks to build a more stable and diverse workforce of licensed social workers within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a petition to establish a new committee or task force focused on lifting children out of deep poverty in Massachusetts. It does not contain specific policy provisions, funding allocations, or operational mechanisms, as it serves only as a formal request to the legislature to consider the issue. The document lists numerous legislators who have signed the petition but does not outline any concrete legislative changes. Consequently, the bill functions as a procedural item to raise awareness rather than a standalone law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state program called RAFT to help low-income families in Massachusetts avoid homelessness by providing cash assistance for rent and utility bills. To qualify, households must have incomes at or below the area median and face a risk of losing their housing within the next year, even if they have not yet received an official eviction notice or shut-off order. The program prioritizes families with very low incomes, covers up to 12 months of future housing costs, and requires the state to coordinate with other agencies to streamline applications and track how recipients fare over time. Additionally, the legislation mandates that specific documents related to the distribution of these rental assistance funds be treated as public records to ensure transparency.