Sen. Liz Miranda

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts zoning laws to allow municipalities to mandate a specific number of affordable housing units within designated zoning districts. It directly affects local governments and developers by clarifying that zoning rules cannot restrict a town's power to require these affordable units. The key provision ensures that when communities create special zoning areas for affordable housing, they retain the authority to set minimum quotas for such units. This change aims to remove legal barriers that might prevent towns from enforcing affordable housing requirements in their local development plans.

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 updates Massachusetts laws to expand financial compensation and support services for individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes. It lowers the legal standard required to prove innocence from "clear and convincing evidence" to a "preponderance of the evidence," making it easier for claimants to qualify for relief. The legislation also mandates that courts prioritize these cases on a fast track and allows judges to award damages based on lost earnings and other consequences of incarceration. Additionally, the bill requires the state to assign social service advocates to help eligible individuals access transitional services for their physical, social, and emotional needs after release. These changes directly affect people who have been exonerated and the legal system responsible for processing their compensation claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide pilot program in Massachusetts to provide free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings. It defines eligible individuals as renters or owners of small homes who are indigent based on specific income thresholds or public assistance status. The legislation designates non-profit organizations to offer full legal services, including advocacy and filing necessary documents, to help these individuals maintain their housing. By ensuring access to counsel in covered proceedings, the bill aims to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability during the ongoing housing emergency.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill creates a new privacy law that prohibits companies from selling or sharing precise cell phone location data about individuals within the state. The legislation defines location information as data accurate enough to identify a person's street-level position within a 1,850-foot range and requires any company sharing this data to obtain explicit, informed consent from the user. Covered entities, which include businesses but exclude government agencies and non-commercial individuals, must ensure that consent is freely given and not obtained through deceptive design or hidden terms. By banning the sale of this specific type of data, the bill aims to protect personal privacy and limit the ability of third parties to track people's movements without their permission.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill proposes to raise the state minimum wage to $20.00 per hour and establish a mechanism for future annual adjustments based on inflation. It applies to both public and private employers across the Commonwealth, ensuring that wage increases maintain employee purchasing power over time. The legislation also clarifies that paying an oppressive or unreasonable wage is against public policy, making such employment contracts legally void. By setting a specific dollar amount and a formula for future hikes, the bill aims to align the minimum wage more closely with a living wage without requiring new legislative action each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issue a formal apology for its historical role in slavery and establish a dedicated fund to provide direct financial reparations to descendants of enslaved African and Indigenous people. To finance this initiative, the legislation would impose a 3 percent excise tax on non-religious educational institutions with assets exceeding $1.5 billion. A board composed entirely of descendants of American slavery would oversee the fund, distribute monthly payments to eligible recipients, and collect data to inform a future universal basic income pilot program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission in Massachusetts to study the history of slavery and its lasting effects on African Americans and their descendants. The commission is tasked with researching specific historical injustices, such as redlining and discriminatory laws, and developing proposals for reparations that may include financial compensation, public apologies, or other forms of redress. The legislation does not mandate immediate payment but focuses on creating a formal body to investigate these issues and recommend potential solutions for addressing historical harm.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the age of criminal majority in Massachusetts from 18 to 21, meaning individuals up to age 20 would be treated as minors rather than adults within the justice system. By updating the legal definition of adulthood across various state laws, the legislation ensures that young people in this age group are subject to juvenile procedures instead of adult criminal penalties. The changes apply to multiple areas including sentencing guidelines, foster care eligibility, and definitions of youthful offenders. Ultimately, the law aims to provide better support and rehabilitation opportunities for young adults while maintaining public safety standards.

Senate, - Text of the Senate amendment (Senator Miranda) to the House Bill authorizing additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in Boston (House, No. 4696).