Sen. Jake Oliveira

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Alternative Housing Voucher Program to help low-income adults with disabilities afford rental housing in Massachusetts. It establishes a specific voucher system administered by local housing authorities that provides financial assistance for rent, security deposits, and moving costs. To qualify, households must have an income at or below 80% of the area median, and the head of the household must be between 18 and 62 years old. The program requires recipients to contribute at least 25% to 30% of their net income toward rent and utilities, while setting payment standards based on fair market rent values.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Flexible Supportive Housing Subsidy Pool Program to provide sustainable funding for permanent supportive housing aimed at individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness. The program creates a centralized system where cities and care networks can access funds to combine long-term rental assistance with supportive services for those facing long-term or repeated homelessness. By requiring the use of a coordinated assessment system, the legislation ensures that eligible participants are efficiently referred to housing resources funded through a mix of federal and state resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state program to help families, youth, and adults avoid homelessness by providing cash assistance for rent and utility bills before a crisis occurs. It targets households earning at or below 50% of the area median income who face risks like eviction or utility shut-offs, with at least half of the funds reserved for those earning less than 30% of the area median income. The program allows eligible individuals to receive up to 12 months of financial support for past-due and future housing costs, even if they have not yet received official legal notices from landlords or utility companies. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to submit an annual report detailing application statistics and demographic data to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill creates a new Alternative Housing Voucher Program to help low-income adults with disabilities afford rental housing. It establishes a system where the state provides mobile and project-based vouchers to households where the head is between 18 and 62 years old and earns no more than 80 percent of the area's median income. Under the program, recipients must pay at least 25 percent of their net income toward rent, and the state sets voucher amounts based on factors like household size and location. The legislation also removes an existing legal provision regarding housing regulations to make way for this new initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that on construction projects in Massachusetts exceeding one million dollars, a specific percentage of work hours be performed by apprentices in approved training programs. The law mandates that contractors and subcontractors follow a phased schedule where 5% of hours are done by apprentices six months after the bill passes, increasing to 10% after one year, and reaching 15% after two years. These requirements apply to all trades subject to prevailing wage laws and must comply with existing apprentice ratios set by relevant license boards. The legislation aims to create a more skilled workforce by ensuring larger public and private projects integrate more trainees into their operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands domestic violence protections in Massachusetts to include contract workers employed by staffing agencies and other third-party labor providers. It achieves this by legally defining these workers and their employers, ensuring they have the same right as traditional employees to take time off for safety reasons related to domestic violence. The change removes the previous restriction that limited these protections only to direct employees, thereby covering a broader range of workers in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal legal framework for supported decision-making, allowing adults to voluntarily enter into written agreements with trusted supporters to help them make life decisions without losing their legal autonomy. It mandates that the state create a training program for supporters and decision-makers covering their rights, obligations, and dispute resolution processes. Additionally, the bill requires schools to inform students with disabilities and their families about this option as an alternative to guardianship when the students turn sixteen. By adding supported decision-making agreements to existing guardianship laws, the legislation aims to provide a flexible, self-determined way for adults to receive assistance while retaining control over their own lives.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes adults with disabilities in Massachusetts to enter into supported decision-making agreements as an alternative to traditional guardianship. It requires the state to create a training program for supporters and decision-makers and mandates that schools inform students with disabilities about this option when they turn sixteen. The legislation defines the roles of supporters and decision-makers, outlines the rights and obligations of each party, and establishes rules for dispute resolution while ensuring the decision-maker retains full control over their life choices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide pilot program in Massachusetts to provide free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings. It defines eligible individuals as renters or owners of small homes who are indigent based on specific income thresholds or public assistance status. The legislation designates non-profit organizations to offer full legal services, including advocacy and filing necessary documents, to help these individuals maintain their housing. By ensuring access to counsel in covered proceedings, the bill aims to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability during the ongoing housing emergency.