Sen. Pat Jehlen

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a one-year pilot program to offer free bus rides on the MBTA and all regional transit authorities across Massachusetts. The initiative would allow any passenger to board buses without paying cash, using a pass, or presenting a CharlieTicket. To oversee the project, the legislation creates advisory groups composed of transportation officials, labor representatives, disability advocates, and community members who will set performance metrics and hold quarterly public meetings. These groups will evaluate how the fare-free service impacts ridership, equity, system efficiency, and costs before submitting final reports to state boards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Career Services to make workforce development outcome data publicly available and accessible to various entities. It establishes a standardized process for organizations to request this data, mandating that the department review applications within 30 business days and publish the necessary forms and guidelines online. The legislation also expands who can receive this information, including federal and state agencies, to support program evaluation, financial analysis, and the creation of shared case management systems. Additionally, the bill directs the department to report quarterly wage and demographic data for participants to MassHire boards and creates a task force to improve the state's overall data infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal option for Massachusetts municipalities to allow tenants to have the first opportunity to buy their rental homes if those homes are being sold due to foreclosure or other financial transactions. Under the proposed law, a tenant association representing at least 51% of the occupied units would be formed to negotiate a purchase directly with the property owner, provided the new owner commits to keeping the housing affordable for at least thirty years. The legislation defines specific terms such as "Housing Accommodation" and "Long-Term Affordable Housing" to ensure clarity and sets strict criteria for which properties and organizations can participate in this process. Ultimately, the bill empowers local communities to decide whether to implement this tenant protection measure, aiming to prevent displacement and maintain affordable housing stock.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts corporate tax laws to increase the state excise tax rate from 9.0% to 10.5% for tax years starting on or after January 1, 2023. The legislation directly affects corporations subject to the state excise tax by raising the rate on their taxable net income. Additionally, the bill adjusts the corresponding income tax rate for corporations from 8.0% to 9.5% effective the same date. These changes reverse previous reductions in tax rates that were in place since 2012.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to change how special needs trusts for seniors are treated when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Currently, transferring assets into these trusts can be counted as a resource that might disqualify a person from receiving government health benefits. The proposed change would allow individuals aged 65 and older to place assets into these trusts without those funds being counted against them, provided the money is used only for the senior's benefit. This adjustment aims to help disabled seniors access Medicaid while still maintaining their financial support through private trusts.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill establishes a tiered corporate minimum tax that requires businesses to pay a set fee based on their annual sales within the state. Companies with less than one million dollars in sales pay $456, while those with over one billion dollars in sales pay $150,000, with specific amounts set for every sales bracket in between. The tax applies to corporations operating in Massachusetts starting with tax years that begin on or after January 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts tax laws to ensure that money raised from the 2022 Fair Share Amendment is not counted as general state revenue. Specifically, it prevents the state from using funds generated by this constitutional amendment to offset or reduce the personal income tax liability of individual taxpayers. By legally separating these specific tax revenues from the broader definition of state income, the legislation aims to preserve the original intent of the amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts estate tax laws to exempt estates with a net value below two million dollars from taxation for deaths occurring after December 31, 2022. It directly affects individuals who pass away in the future with estates under this threshold, ensuring their assets are not subject to state estate tax. The key provision adds a specific exemption to the existing statute, effectively raising the minimum taxable estate amount for future decedents. This change alters the current tax structure by establishing a new floor for liability rather than adjusting tax rates or brackets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts prisons and county facilities to maximize time outside of cells and expand access to education, work, and rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals. It mandates that all incarcerated people receive at least one hour of daily group programming, eight hours of out-of-cell time without physical restraints, and one hour of outdoor recreation, while also ensuring access to culturally appropriate commissary and visitation rights. The legislation aims to promote human rights by prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender identity, or other characteristics and by allowing inmates to form peer support groups. Additionally, it requires that good conduct deductions be earned through a combination of in-person and virtual activities to facilitate successful re-entry into society.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to increase transparency and accountability within the state's correctional facilities by granting incarcerated individuals the right to communicate freely with news media representatives. It establishes that journalists, including freelancers, may visit, video conference, and call inmates without restrictions related to housing or disciplinary sanctions, ensuring these communications are confidential and unmonitored. Additionally, the legislation requires facilities to collect and publicly report detailed data on the use of force, including incidents involving specific demographics and those resulting in injuries or hospitalizations. The law also mandates that attorneys be allowed to bring a journalist to legal visits and prohibits retaliation against inmates for engaging with the press.