Sen. Becca Rausch

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 amends Massachusetts housing laws to redefine how small buildings are classified for condominium conversion purposes. Specifically, it removes the exemption that previously allowed buildings with fewer than four residential units to be excluded from certain housing regulations, unless they are part of a larger development. The change directly affects owners of small multi-unit buildings who wish to convert them into condominiums, ensuring these properties fall under the same protections as larger housing projects. By altering the definition of a "housing accommodation," the legislation aims to standardize rules across different building sizes.

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 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 bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to create a centralized, searchable database containing detailed information about subsidized housing units across the state. The data will be made available to local municipalities, state agencies, and other public entities and will include specifics such as the total number of units, income restrictions, unit sizes, and the expiration dates of affordability periods. By mandating that this information be updated at least annually and formatted for machine reading and screen readers, the legislation aims to improve transparency and allow local governments better access to existing housing inventory.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide housing goal to build 427,000 new units in Massachusetts by 2040, with specific targets for affordable housing for low- and middle-income families. It requires the state housing secretary to report annually on progress toward these goals, including details on unit types, accessibility, and foreign property purchases. Additionally, the bill mandates that zoning laws allow high-density, mixed-use housing near transit hubs without minimum parking requirements, provided that at least 10% to 15% of the units are set aside for lower-income households.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state housing department to create a centralized, machine-readable database containing detailed information about subsidized housing developments across Massachusetts. The data collected will include the total number of units, income restrictions, bedroom and bathroom counts, square footage, and specific locations for both new and existing projects. Municipalities, state agencies, and other public entities will have access to this information to better understand the housing landscape, with the database required to be updated at least once per year. The changes take effect on December 31, 2025, and will repeal an existing subsection of the relevant housing chapter.

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.