Rep. James Arena-DeRosa

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to create a five-year plan aimed at ending homelessness for unaccompanied adults by shifting resources from temporary shelters to permanent housing. The legislation requires the state to conduct a study predicting future shelter needs and to prioritize the construction of permanent supportive housing and non-congregate shelters, which offer private rooms with doors and walls, over mass dormitory-style congregate shelters. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of specific housing strategies for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals, while also exploring alternative construction methods like modular units and repurposed hotels to increase affordable capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including experienced midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the state's allied health professions board to include lactation consultants and updates various laws to formally recognize certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives in official definitions and hospital settings. The bill also mandates that the insurance commission cover postpartum depression screenings for state employees and allows coverage for medically necessary donor human milk for infants at high risk of certain conditions.

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2498) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Lydia Edwards, Steven Owens, Patrick M. O'Connor, Jeffrey Rosario Turco and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the Condominium Owners’ Rights Act (CORA). Housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that on public construction projects in Massachusetts costing over one million dollars, a specific percentage of work hours be performed by apprentices in approved training programs. The law mandates that five percent of these hours be done by apprentices six months after the bill passes, increasing to ten percent after one year, and reaching fifteen percent after two years. It applies to contractors and subcontractors who hire hourly workers for projects where prevailing wage rules are in effect. The goal is to create more opportunities for skilled workers to learn their trades while working on state-funded projects.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Sherborn to change an existing liquor license for Art's Specialties from one that only allows the sale of wine and malt beverages to one that permits the sale of all alcoholic beverages, provided none are consumed on the premises. The law specifically allows this conversion for this business while exempting it from a standard state restriction that would otherwise prevent such a change. If the license is ever cancelled or stops being used, the town can return it to the state and issue it to a new applicant under the same rules. The town must complete this license conversion within one year of the bill taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study and review Massachusetts condominium laws, directly affecting current and future condominium owners, property managers, and community associations. The seven-member committee will be appointed by the Speaker of the House, the Senate President, and the Governor, and must include specific experts such as a condominium law attorney representing unit owners, a current unit owner, and a certified property manager. Over the course of its work, the commission will hold public hearings to investigate issues like board meeting procedures, fee increases, financial audits, and dispute resolution processes before submitting a report with recommendations for new regulations by January 1, 2023.

By Representative Murray of Milford, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2906) of Brian W. Murray relative to a certain property tax exemption for the elderly. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands compensation for individuals in Massachusetts who were wrongfully convicted by updating the state's wrongful conviction relief laws. It lowers the legal standard for proving innocence from "clear and convincing evidence" to a "preponderance of the evidence," making it easier for claimants to qualify. The legislation also broadens eligibility to include those whose convictions were vacated without a retrial and mandates that cases be processed on a fast track. Additionally, the bill requires the state to provide social service advocates to help eligible individuals with transitional needs and allows courts to order the state to cover educational costs and provide support services like financial literacy training.

By Representative Turco of Winthrop, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2958) of Jeffrey Rosario Turco and others for legislation to establish a local community newspaper subscription tax credit. Revenue.