Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to help Massachusetts residents with disabilities or their caregivers afford necessary home modifications. Eligible individuals with incomes at or below 120% of the area median income can receive up to 50% of the cost for approved changes, with a maximum grant of $5,000. The program covers specific improvements like zero-step entrances, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, and medical equipment backups, provided the work meets established accessibility standards. Applicants must submit proof of completed renovations, such as invoices and before-and-after photos, to receive funding. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission will oversee the program guidelines in consultation with the relevant department.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal system to train, assess, and assign qualified interpreters for students and families with limited English proficiency in Massachusetts schools. It defines specific roles for interpreters based on their expertise, requiring highly trained Tier 3 interpreters for critical legal and educational meetings like Individualized Education Programs, while allowing less specialized interpreters for routine gatherings. The legislation also mandates that the state department of education create a training program and a public registry to help schools locate these qualified professionals for scheduled appointments.

By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2211) of Kay Khan and others for legislation to update postural screenings in schools. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals with eviction records to have those records sealed under specific conditions, aiming to help people secure future housing. It defines key terms such as "eviction action" and "no-fault eviction" to clarify which cases are eligible for sealing, while also establishing rules for how consumer reporting agencies and courts must handle these records. The legislation requires that sealed eviction records be treated as if they never existed for the purpose of rental applications and credit checks, thereby removing barriers to housing for tenants who have faced past evictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Attorney General to create a comprehensive plan for regulating facial recognition technology across the state. It defines key terms like "facial recognition" and "biometric surveillance technology" to ensure clarity in future rules. The legislation requires the Attorney General to submit a report outlining how the state will manage the use of these technologies by public and private entities. Ultimately, the bill aims to establish a formal framework for oversight rather than immediately banning or mandating specific uses.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill prohibits car dealers from charging consumers recurring subscription fees for vehicle features that already come with the necessary hardware and function without ongoing costs to the manufacturer. The law defines these prohibited services as those utilizing components installed at the time of purchase or lease, such as heated seats or driver assistance technology, that would work after activation without needing extra expenses from the dealer or third parties. Dealers who violate this rule could face fines of up to $10,000 for a first offense and $20,000 for subsequent violations. The state registrar is tasked with creating specific regulations to enforce these new consumer protections within one year of the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to declare non-compete agreements for veterinarians void and unenforceable. It specifically targets contracts that restrict a veterinarian's right to practice in any geographic area after their employment or partnership ends. The legislation ensures that while these specific restrictions cannot be enforced, the rest of the employment contract remains valid. This change directly affects veterinarians and the employers or partners who use such agreements to limit their professional mobility.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to prevent a person's first civil motor vehicle infraction from being recorded as a conviction or a surchargeable incident on their driving record. The change directly affects drivers who receive a minor traffic ticket, ensuring that this single offense does not increase their auto insurance premiums or negatively impact their insurance rating. However, the exemption does not apply to serious offenses such as driving under the influence or violations that cause grievous bodily harm or death. By removing the first minor infraction from official penalty records, the legislation aims to reduce the financial burden on drivers for low-level mistakes while maintaining penalties for severe crimes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide ban on law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts using facial recognition or other remote biometric surveillance technology, with the exception of the Department of Motor Vehicles for verifying driver identities. It directly affects police departments and other public safety organizations by prohibiting them from acquiring, possessing, or contracting for such software unless explicitly authorized by a separate law. The legislation also ensures that any evidence obtained through the unauthorized use of these tools cannot be used in court proceedings. By defining specific terms like "biometric surveillance technology" and "public agency," the law creates clear boundaries for what is permitted while restricting the ability of government entities to use automated systems that identify individuals based on their physical features.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to public higher education in Massachusetts by allowing high school graduates who have attended and graduated from a local high school for at least three years to pay in-state tuition rates. It specifically applies to students who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents but have completed their secondary education within the state, with limited exceptions for medical and law schools. To qualify, eligible students must provide a social security number or an individual taxpayer identification number, along with documentation showing they have applied for citizenship or permanent residency within 120 days if they are not yet citizens. The legislation also requires those eligible for military selective service to register, while ensuring that no one loses their in-state tuition eligibility based on this new provision.