Senate, May 8, 2025 -- (Filed by Mr. Brownsberger) Order relative to the calling of a joint session of the two Houses for the purpose of considering proposals for amendments to the Constitution.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend the Massachusetts Constitution to replace the term "selectmen" with "select board" in several specific sections. The change would apply to local town governance documents and constitutional articles that currently refer to the town's elected officials as selectmen. By updating the official terminology, the amendment aims to modernize the language used to describe these local government bodies without altering their powers or duties. The proposal requires approval by a majority vote in both legislative chambers and a subsequent vote by the public to become effective.
Maddy summaryStarting July 1, 2024, the Town of Belmont will stop applying special tax rates for recreational land, meaning such properties will be assessed and taxed like other land. Landowners in Belmont can no longer submit applications to qualify for these reduced recreational land tax rates after this date. However, the bill ensures that rules regarding changes in land use, taxes due when land is sold, and penalties for reverting to non-recreational use remain in effect for properties that were previously taxed under the recreational classification. This change directly affects current and future landowners in Belmont who wish to maintain or seek recreational land tax status.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Massachusetts cities and towns to collect a local affordable housing surcharge of up to 2% on real property taxes. To implement this charge, a municipality must first secure a two-thirds vote from its local approving authority and then win approval from voters at a regular election. The collected funds must be deposited into a designated affordable housing trust, and the surcharge applies to property values after accounting for existing tax exemptions. Local governments can also choose to exempt certain properties, such as low-income housing, commercial properties, or the first $100,000 of residential value, and they may adjust the surcharge rate no more than once every 12 months.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes the time limit for filing civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse of minors, allowing victims to seek legal action regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. It also extends this rule to cases involving negligence by individuals who supervised the abuser or whose actions contributed to the abuse. The legislation applies to all such claims, even those that would have expired under previous laws, but limits liability for employers or supervisors to situations where they are found directly responsible for the abuse.
By Representatives Owens of Watertown and Lawn of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4508) of Steven Owens, John J. Lawn, Jr., and William N. Brownsberger (with the approval of the city council) that the city of Watertown be authorized to place municipal charge liens on certain properties in said city for nonpayment of any local charges, fees or fines. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]
Maddy summaryThis bill allows resident shareholders of housing cooperatives in Massachusetts to claim a state income tax deduction for their rent, similar to how homeowners deduct mortgage interest. To qualify, the shareholder must have lived in their cooperative unit for the entire tax year and must not have already claimed a real estate tax or mortgage interest deduction on their federal return. The law specifically applies to cooperatives organized under chapters 156B or 157 of the Massachusetts General Laws. By amending existing tax code, the measure aims to provide financial relief to cooperative residents without altering the fundamental structure of these housing organizations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts civil service laws to allow cities and towns to grant resident preference to job applicants who graduated from high school within their municipality, even if they have not lived there for a full year. Under the new provision, a local legislative body can vote to count the time spent attending high school in the area as equivalent to one year of residency for examination purposes. This change directly affects municipal hiring processes by expanding the pool of eligible candidates who qualify for priority consideration based on their educational background rather than just their current length of residence.
Senate, July 3, 2024 -- The committee on The Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 313) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 916) of William N. Brownsberger and Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to governmental and charitable tort liability; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1038) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1039) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to amend the statute of limitations regarding criminal prosecutions for the crimes of sexual assault and rape of a child; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1446) of Michael S. Day relative to eliminating liability limits for abuse of minors; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1536) of Kenneth I. Gordon relative to the statute of limitations relating to civil rights actions and criminal prosecutions for the sexual assault and rape of a child; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1614) of John J. Lawn, Jr., Carol A. Doherty and Vanna Howard for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2853).
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new nine-member commission called the Massachusetts Correctional Officer Accountability, Standards and Training Commission to oversee training and accountability for correctional officers. The commission will include members appointed by the governor, a retired correctional officer, a social worker, and other representatives from various groups to review standards and investigate serious incidents involving officers. It establishes specific definitions for terms like "chokehold" and "deadly force" to clarify when an officer's actions may be considered excessive or prohibited. The legislation aims to improve oversight by creating a dedicated body that can set training requirements and address misconduct within correctional facilities.
