Sen. Sal DiDomenico

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to voluntarily implement a fee on real estate transfers to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing. Under the new provisions, settlement agents would collect this fee based on the sale price of a property and remit the funds to local or regional affordable housing commissions. The collected money must be used exclusively for adaptive reuse, production, or preservation of affordable housing projects that serve low- and moderate-income households. Local communities that choose to adopt this option would gain a dedicated funding source to support their specific housing needs without state mandates.

By Representative Livingstone of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2876) of Jay D. Livingstone and others relative to the community investment tax credit. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exemption for older adults and people with disabilities who make modifications to their homes to improve accessibility or allow them to live independently. To qualify, the homeowner must be at least 65 years old, use the home as their main residence, meet specific income limits, and have a property assessed at no more than $600,000. The exemption covers the increased property taxes caused by the value of these modifications and is available in any city or town that chooses to adopt the law. Additionally, the bill requires local boards to update rules ensuring that parking areas and multi-unit buildings provide adequate accessible spaces and units for people with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement local rent control and eviction protections for multi-family housing. Under the new Tenant Protection Act, municipalities that opt in can regulate rents and require landlords to provide specific reasons, such as non-payment or lease violations, before evicting tenants. The law includes exemptions for owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units, newly constructed buildings, and certain specialized facilities like dormitories and hospitals. Additionally, the bill permits local governments to set fair return standards for landlords and establish administrative bodies to oversee these regulations and assist small property owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require that housing developments receiving state incentives include at least 20 percent affordable units. Specifically, the affordable portion must consist of rental units for households earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income or owner-occupied units for households earning no more than 80 percent of the area median income. The legislation also updates the legal text to ensure the term "affordable" is consistently applied when describing these subsidized housing units. These changes directly affect developers seeking state housing incentives and the state agencies that administer the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to update the Housing Development Incentive Program, which provides tax benefits to developers building new or renovated multi-unit housing. The changes require that eligible projects include at least 20 percent permanently affordable units for low- and moderate-income residents, while limiting the number of market-rate units to no more than 80 percent. Additionally, the program will now specifically target distressed neighborhoods or areas lacking mixed-income housing, and it adds language to ensure benefits reach lower-income residents without causing rent hikes or displacement. By redefining key terms like "mixed income development" and adjusting eligibility criteria, the legislation aims to reshape how state incentives are applied to future housing projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to pass local laws that limit how much landlords can raise rents and restrict when they can evict tenants. Municipalities would adopt these rules by voting to accept the chapter and then creating specific ordinances that cap annual rent increases at the lower of the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and new buildings with a recent occupancy certificate. Additionally, the bill requires that evictions or lease non-renewals only happen for specific reasons such as unpaid rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or the owner converting the unit to a cooperative.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a policy to guarantee free public higher education for all residents of Massachusetts. It creates a grant program that covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students, who are defined as those who attended and graduated from a Massachusetts high school or meet specific residency requirements. The program is designed to supplement existing financial aid, such as Federal Pell Grants, and also provides additional funding for living expenses like room, board, and books for students who qualify based on income. Public colleges and universities across the state must participate, and the Board of Higher Education is tasked with managing the program and notifying eligible students of their benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Hospital Workforce Training & Apprenticeship Trust Fund to help hospitals in Massachusetts recruit and keep staff. The fund will be managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and can be supported by public and private donations, grants, and interest earnings. Money from the fund will be distributed as grants to eligible hospitals and training organizations to pay for workforce education programs and registered apprenticeships. All acute care hospitals and accountable care organizations in the state are considered eligible to receive these financial supports.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-funded programs and facilities from using procedures that cause physical pain or deny basic humane conditions to people with disabilities. Specifically, it bans practices such as hitting, pinching, or electric shock used to change behavior, while also forbidding any punishment that would be illegal if applied to non-disabled individuals. Additionally, the law prevents institutions from denying individuals reasonable access to sleep, food, shelter, bedding, and bathroom facilities. These changes directly affect agencies licensed or approved by the Commonwealth that care for persons with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.