Sen. Sal DiDomenico

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program, a state-run initiative designed to help private-sector employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions. It creates a new board to administer the program and defines eligibility for employers, which must have at least five employees, operate for two years, and not currently offer a qualified retirement plan. The program allows eligible workers to automatically enroll in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), with contributions deducted directly from their paychecks and held in a separate trust fund that is not considered state property. Employers participating in the program are required to facilitate these payroll deductions, while the state provides the administrative framework to make retirement savings more accessible and portable for workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of individuals in Massachusetts to request the permanent removal of their juvenile and young adult criminal records from public access. It directly affects people who were processed as delinquents or youthful offenders by allowing them to petition for expungement even if they have more than two prior records, provided those records did not result in an adjudication or conviction. The legislation also extends the time limits for filing these petitions, permitting requests for felony offenses if they occurred at least seven years ago and for misdemeanors if they occurred at least three years ago. Additionally, the bill clarifies that expunged records must be permanently erased so they are no longer accessible to courts or agencies, though anonymized data may be kept for statistical and research purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and regional transit authorities to create programs offering free or discounted fares to low-income riders. To establish these programs, the agencies must conduct a detailed analysis of expected ridership, revenue impacts, and costs, while also gathering public input from diverse communities. The legislation requires these authorities to submit their implementation plans and findings to state lawmakers by October 15, 2023. Additionally, the bill allows regional authorities to consider offering completely free fares if that option proves more cost-effective than a means-tested approach.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to create a program that helps families, youth, and adults avoid becoming homeless by providing cash assistance and services. It allows individuals at risk of eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off to receive aid even before they have received official legal notices, using certified statements from landlords or utility companies to verify their financial struggles. The program specifically targets households earning at or below 50% of the area median income, with at least half of the funds reserved for those living at or below 30% of that income. Eligible recipients include families with children under 21, seniors, people with disabilities, and unaccompanied youth, and the financial aid is limited to covering actual unpaid rent, mortgage, or utility bills.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts housing laws to give tenants a first right of refusal when their rental property is being sold due to foreclosure. It applies specifically to multi-family rental buildings and excludes small owner-occupied homes or temporary shelters. Under the new rules, landlords must notify tenants and a designated nonprofit group before selling the property, allowing these parties to match the highest offer made by outside buyers. The law also defines specific terms like "affiliate" and "designee" to clarify who can participate in the purchase process.

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 amends Massachusetts law to prohibit local and state governments from enacting or enforcing land use rules that unfairly limit affordable housing. Specifically, it makes it illegal for officials to pass policies that exclude housing for low-income families or homes with multiple bedrooms, while also banning discrimination based on race, gender, and other protected characteristics. The law includes a defense for government entities that can prove their actions were necessary for a legitimate public interest or that they have consistently supported such housing. People who believe they have been harmed by these discriminatory practices can sue for damages and legal fees within three years of the violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens the HomeBASE program in Massachusetts to help families maintain stable housing by expanding financial assistance and easing eligibility rules. It allows eligible families to receive up to $30,000 in the first 24 months and $15,000 in subsequent 12-month periods to prevent eviction or relocate to new housing. Key changes include removing income limits for those already in the program, permitting assistance for families facing eviction due to no-fault reasons, and allowing the combination of HomeBASE funds with other transition resources. The program specifically targets households with children under 21 or pregnant individuals who have followed their rehousing plans during previous assistance periods.

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.