Sen. Mark Montigny

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords of multi-unit residential buildings in Massachusetts to install window guards upon request by any tenant with a child under ten years old. The law mandates that these safety devices be placed on windows higher than six feet that can open wide enough for a five-inch ball to pass through, ensuring they are secure and cannot be opened without a key held by the landlord. Landlords must provide written and verbal notice of this right to tenants at the start of each lease and are strictly prohibited from charging extra fees or discriminating against families who request the installation. Additionally, the Department of Public Safety is tasked with creating rules for the design, inspection, and maintenance of these guards, as well as establishing training programs for both landlords and tenants.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts housing laws to allow tenants and condominium owners to install their own portable air conditioners, such as window or floor units, without landlord or board approval. Landlords and property managers can only restrict these devices if the units violate safety codes, damage the property, require electrical capacity the building cannot support, or interfere with emergency exits and security locks. The legislation also grants landlords immunity from lawsuits regarding injuries caused by tenant-installed cooling devices and mandates that any necessary restrictions be provided in writing to residents. Additionally, the law requires landlords facing electrical limitations to prioritize access to cooling for individuals with disabilities who need the devices to manage medical conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase monthly cash assistance payments for families in Massachusetts who are struggling with deep poverty. Starting in July 2023, the law mandates that benefit amounts rise by 25 percent each year until they reach a level equal to 50 percent of the federal poverty line for the household size. Once that threshold is met, payments will continue to increase annually to ensure they do not fall below that 50 percent standard. The legislation specifically applies to recipients of state aid programs, excluding rental allowances, and also includes additional adjustments for clothing and housing costs for eligible households.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to protect families with pets from housing discrimination during and after economic crises. It prevents landlords from evicting tenants solely because they have a pet unless the animal poses a safety threat, and it stops hotels from unreasonably refusing pets during emergency declarations. The legislation also bans public housing authorities and private property managers from discriminating against dogs based on breed, size, weight, or appearance, while requiring insurance companies to stop denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on dog breed unless the animal is officially designated as dangerous.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Massachusetts Flexible Housing Pool Program designed to help homeless individuals with complex medical, mental health, or substance use needs secure permanent supportive housing. The program creates a centralized funding pool that combines federal emergency assistance with state resources to provide flexible financial support for housing and related services. Eligible applicants, including cities and local care organizations, can access these funds to move people out of shelters and into stable living arrangements. By creating a coordinated system for distributing money, the legislation aims to improve the efficiency of ending chronic homelessness across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mutual insurance companies in Massachusetts to disclose executive compensation details to their policyholders. It mandates that these companies include a non-binding vote in their annual meetings allowing shareholders to approve or disapprove the pay of named executive officers and directors. The legislation also directs the state insurance commissioner to create new regulations that enhance transparency in how executive pay is determined and reported. By adding these requirements, the bill aims to give mutual company members more insight into the financial decisions made by company leadership.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires children under the age of 13 to sit in the back seat of a car rather than the front passenger seat. The rule applies to all drivers and passengers in Massachusetts, with two specific exceptions: it does not apply if the vehicle has no rear seats or if the back seat is already full of other children under 13. By updating state law, the measure aims to improve child safety by ensuring younger passengers are positioned away from potential front-seat airbag impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education law to ensure fair access to vocational-technical schools and programs by implementing a weighted lottery system for students who are over-enrolled. Under the new rules, if there are more qualified applicants than available spots, schools must hold a lottery that favors protected groups, including students of color, those from low-income families, students with disabilities, and English language learners. The legislation also requires schools to create waitlists for students who are not immediately admitted and mandates that the state education department collect and publish annual data on enrollment demographics to monitor progress.