By Representative Livingstone of Boston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jay D. Livingstone and others relative to ivory and rhinoceros horn trafficking. Environment and Natural Resources.
Maddy summaryThis bill gives tenants in multi-unit rental properties the first right to purchase their building if the owner sells due to foreclosure, short sale, or similar circumstances. It requires tenants to form a Tenant Association (representing at least 51% of occupied units) to exercise this right, with the property then becoming Long-Term Affordable Housing (requiring 30+ years of affordability restrictions for low-income households). Municipalities must adopt this local option for it to apply, and the purchase must be structured through a Tenant Association or its designated entity to ensure the property remains affordable. The bill specifically excludes single-family homes occupied by owners and certain housing types like shelters or temporary dwellings.
By Representatives Livingstone of Boston and Finn of West Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 261) of Jay D. Livingstone, Michael J. Finn and others relative to supported decision-making agreements for certain adults with disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires third-party delivery companies (like food or retail apps) to report detailed delivery data monthly to the state division. It mandates specific information including vehicle type, precise GPS coordinates for pickup/delivery points, timing details, costs, and unique driver identification numbers displayed on vehicles. The data will be used for congestion management, transportation planning, and emissions tracking, with annual public summaries showing delivery patterns between cities. Companies must submit reports in an approved format, and the state may share de-identified trip-level data with transportation agencies under strict confidentiality rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4645, now Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2025) increases penalties for assaulting public transit workers while they are on duty. It makes it a crime to commit assault and battery - including using bodily substances like blood or saliva - against a transit worker performing their job, punishable by 90 days to 2.5 years in jail or fines of $500 to $5,000. The law specifically defines "bodily substance" to include human secretions such as saliva, urine, or feces. It directly affects transit workers by strengthening legal protections during their work. The bill was enacted in late 2025 after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the House committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to report on two specific bills (House Documents 213 and 296) from its original date until Friday, January 30, 2026. It grants this extension under a rule that normally sets committee reporting deadlines, affecting only the timeline for this committee's work on those two documents.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends multiple health insurance laws to expand access to midwifery services and clarify coverage for pregnancy care. It updates definitions in chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G to include "licensed certified professional midwives" alongside existing providers and removes language restricting coverage for "abortion or abortion-related care" in insurance plans. The changes require health insurers, health plans, and Medicaid managed care organizations to comply with these updated coverage standards. The bill directly affects health insurance plans subject to these chapters, ensuring broader access to midwifery services and removing prior exclusions for abortion-related care within pregnancy coverage.
Maddy summaryH 4611 requires public facilities across Massachusetts to provide free disposable menstrual products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) to menstruating individuals. It mandates this in all government-owned buildings, public colleges, shelters, schools, and correctional facilities. Products must be available in accessible restroom locations without stigmatizing the user. The law applies to all entities listed in the bill, including schools, shelters, and jails, ensuring no-cost access in designated areas. It does not cover private businesses or general public spaces outside these specified settings.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends a state law to give local boards of health more control over garbage collection schedules. It allows these boards to set specific hours for collecting residential, commercial, or business waste (including "offensive substances" like trash or offal) in areas zoned for homes or businesses. The change removes redundant language about "business, commercial or" from the existing law, streamlining the authority for local boards to restrict collection times. This directly affects residents and businesses in neighborhoods or commercial zones where local health boards implement these schedule rules.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates rules for estate executors, conservators, or agents (like those named in wills or powers of attorney) to access a person's digital accounts (e.g., email, social media) after death or incapacity. It allows users to specify through online tools provided by tech companies who can access their digital content, overriding conflicting terms-of-service agreements. Fiduciaries can only access what the user authorized, and companies must comply with these user directions. The law applies to all Massachusetts residents' digital assets, regardless of when their will or trust was created.
