Sen. Robyn Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill amends court procedures for name changes to enhance personal safety protections. It requires courts to request probation reports before approving name changes and mandates submission of birth records or prior name-change documentation. Crucially, courts can now keep name-change records confidential and segregated if they determine public access would jeopardize safety - specifically citing risks related to gender non-conformity, transgender status, or domestic violence survival. The law ensures courts cannot deny confidentiality requests solely due to lack of documented threats, focusing on the "totality of circumstances" rather than specific incidents. This directly affects individuals seeking name changes who face safety concerns, making court records more secure without altering substantive name-change eligibility.

Maddy summarySD 41 requires condominium associations to provide unit owners with access to financial and operational records (such as budgets, reports, and legal documents) within 5 to 10 business days, with electronic delivery preferred and free of charge. Failure to comply results in a $100 daily fine, payable by the managing agent or common funds. The bill also mandates a minimum 10% annual contribution to a replacement reserve fund and requires preventive maintenance plans for all associations, with larger associations (50+ units) needing periodic reserve studies. Additionally, it establishes an Office of the Condominium Ombudsman within the Attorney General’s office to handle complaints and provide mediation, while requiring internal dispute resolution procedures for unit owner grievances.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Crumbling Concrete Assistance Fund to help Massachusetts homeowners repair or replace residential foundations damaged by minerals like pyrite or pyrrhotite. The fund, managed by the Secretary of Housing, provides direct financial assistance to affected homeowners, reimburses those who already paid for repairs (up to the fund's coverage limit), and minimizes financial strain on municipalities. Key provisions include tax exemptions on repaired foundations, annual reporting requirements, and a requirement for the Secretary to seek federal funding to support the program. A stakeholder working group must also develop long-term recommendations by 2026 on funding models and consumer protections. The bill directly affects homeowners with deteriorated foundations and local governments facing related costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates election law to use gender-neutral language throughout Chapter 53 of the General Laws. It replaces gendered terms like "him," "his," "he," "chairman," and "alderman" with neutral alternatives such as "them," "their," "they," "chairperson," and "alderperson." The changes apply specifically to election statutes, including voter registration forms, candidate information, and election official titles. The bill makes no substantive policy changes but ensures the language used in election law is inclusive and non-gendered.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates June 16 as Domestic Workers' Rights Day in Massachusetts. It requires the governor to annually issue a proclamation encouraging public observance of the day to honor domestic workers in private homes and recognize the state's 2016 Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights. The bill is ceremonial and does not create new legal rights or obligations. It directly affects the governor (who must issue the proclamation) and the public (who are encouraged to observe the day).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for conducting recall elections in the town of Berlin, allowing residents to remove elected town officials before their term ends. It directly affects Berlin residents who can initiate recalls and town officials (such as council members or the mayor) who may face removal. The bill creates a formal framework for recalls, including requirements for petition signatures and election procedures, as specified under local election laws. (Note: The abstract confirms local approval from Berlin's town meeting was received.)

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Berlin's local government structure by requiring its select board to have five members elected by all town voters (at-large), rather than under previous rules. At the first election after the bill takes effect, three members will be chosen with staggered terms: one serving three years, one two years, and one one year. Subsequent elections will then select all five members for three-year terms. The change applies directly to Berlin's town governance and voting process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 5243) is a procedural change renaming Boylston's local governing body. It updates the town's official name from "board of selectmen" to "select board," with members becoming "select board members" and the chair becoming "chair of the select board." The bill also allows Boylston to amend its by-laws to reflect these name changes through a simple majority vote. This affects only Boylston's internal town government structure, with no change to the board's powers or responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state's Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to transfer two specific parcels of land, formerly part of the Lancaster Industrial School for Girls, to either the towns of Bolton or Lancaster or a municipal utility serving those areas. The transfer requires the land to be used solely for general municipal purposes, with a condition that ownership reverts to the state if the land stops being used for such purposes. If the towns do not purchase the land within 180 days, the state must sell or lease the property through a competitive bidding process, and any proceeds from the sale will go to the state's General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 3417) requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation designating June 16th as "Domestic Workers' Rights Day." It directly affects domestic workers in Massachusetts by formally recognizing their contributions and rights through a state-level observance. The key mechanism is a simple gubernatorial proclamation, requiring no new laws or funding, and it would be issued every year on June 16th. The bill is procedural and commemorative, not a policy change.