Sen. Liz Miranda

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a policy to guarantee free public higher education for all residents of Massachusetts. It creates a grant program that covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students, who are defined as those who attended and graduated from a Massachusetts high school or meet specific residency requirements. The program is designed to supplement existing financial aid, such as Federal Pell Grants, and also provides additional funding for living expenses like room, board, and books for students who qualify based on income. Public colleges and universities across the state must participate, and the Board of Higher Education is tasked with managing the program and notifying eligible students of their benefits.

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2555) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Nick Collins for legislation to prevent overdoses in the commonwealth. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a new program that provides grants for expanding mental health services to pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines key terms such as "perinatal" to cover the time from pregnancy through one year after birth and establishes specific criteria for identifying areas with inadequate access to care. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to fund projects aimed at growing and diversifying the workforce of mental health providers who specialize in perinatal care. By creating these definitions and funding mechanisms, the bill seeks to improve access to mental health support for new parents and those involved in the care of infants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund in Massachusetts to support the energy-efficient upgrades of existing buildings. The fund, managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, provides financial assistance for projects that make buildings highly energy efficient, switch to all-electric systems, install renewable energy sources, and use low-carbon materials. Priority funding is directed toward affordable housing, public schools, and small businesses, with a specific focus on communities in environmental justice areas, gateway cities, and those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Additionally, the legislation allows money to cover necessary remediation costs, such as mold removal or lead paint mitigation, that must be addressed before renovations can begin.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a new funding program aimed at increasing the number of mental health professionals who specialize in caring for pregnant and postpartum individuals. The legislation allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to educational institutions and organizations that train and recruit workers for this specific field. To ensure the program remains equitable, the bill requires that grant recipients prioritize students from underserved communities and include mandatory training on bias and discrimination in their curricula. Ultimately, the law seeks to address gaps in care by expanding the workforce available to support the mental health needs of parents and birthing persons during the year following birth.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal requirement for the state to ensure fair and adequate funding for Massachusetts public colleges and universities. It mandates that the Board of Higher Education determine annual budget requests for these institutions and student financial aid, prioritizing resources for teaching, research, and student support services. Key provisions include directing additional funds toward vulnerable student populations, emphasizing full-time faculty employment with fair wages, and preventing the privatization of public campuses. The legislation also requires the state council to report annually on how these funds are distributed to the governor and legislative committees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to criminalize acts that intentionally encourage or assist another person in committing suicide. It directly affects individuals who exercise control over others, such as parents or guardians, as well as anyone who provides means or participates in the act of suicide. The legislation defines specific terms like "suicide attempt" and "suicidal ideation" to clarify what constitutes a crime, while explicitly exempting medical treatments prescribed by licensed physicians. By establishing these penalties, the bill aims to deter non-medical interference in suicide cases and hold accountable those who coerce or aid in such acts.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores voting rights to individuals in Massachusetts who have been convicted of felonies, regardless of whether they are currently incarcerated. It achieves this by removing specific language from state election laws that previously barred people with felony convictions from voting while in prison. The legislation directly affects incarcerated felons by allowing them to participate in elections without needing to complete their sentences first. By striking out the exclusionary clauses, the bill ensures that felony status alone does not disqualify a person from casting a ballot.

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 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.