| HB38 (HD38) - An Act relative to Treasury operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB46 (HD46) - An Act requiring financial education in schools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB49 (HD49) - An Act requiring public pension fund divestment from ammunition and firearms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Requires the Pension Reserves Investment Trust or the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board, in their capacity as manager of assets of the state and teachers retirement systems, and local retirement systems under the control of PRIM Board, to identify any direct or indirect holdings related to ammunition, firearm or firearm accessory manufacturing or retailing companies within 30 days; requires the funds to sell, redeem, divest or withdraw the holdings within 12 months; prohibits further investment in such companies; exempts indirect holdings in actively managed funds, but requires PRIT or PRIM Board to request fund managers to remove such holdings from the fund or to establish a similar fund without firearm holdings; exempts funds engaged in divestiture from conflicting statutory and common law; (NOTE: This could refer to fiduciary duty under GL 32:23, 840 CMR 1.02 and other similar laws); allows funds to stop divestment activities if holdings are below certain percentages; indemnifies public fund members, state officers and employees, and contracted fund managers from liability for losses related to divestment; requires submission of an annual report of all investments sold, redeemed, divested or withdrawn, as well as investments still retained, related to gun, firearms and ammunition companies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD87 - An Act relative to the Massachusetts estate tax code | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD100 - An Act the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and reconstruction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes the Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction responsible for ameliorating racial inequality during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; sets out the structure of the Bureau, including an advisory council, and an administrator appointed by the Governor; authorizes the Bureau to manage the new Commonwealth Health, Economic, Education, and Equity Recovery and Reconstruction Fund as well as advise state agencies in their COVID-19 recovery efforts; establishes several additional programs and funds within the Bureau, including a Small Business Stabilization and Support Fund, an Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program, and a Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction Service Corps responsible for supporting small businesses, reintegrating the formerly incarcerated into their communities, and addressing a variety of other unmet community needs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD117 - An Act relative to the classification and taxation of urban public access land | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. David LeBoeuf (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Chapter 61C to the General Laws entitled Classification and Taxation of Urban Public Access Land. Initially Urban Public Access Land is defined as not less than 5000 square feet in area, is located in a city, is retained in substantially a natural, wild, or open condition and is open to public access. In the alternative, it can also be devoted primarily to recreational use, be available to the general public or to members of a non-profit organization, so long as it meets the 5000 square feet requirement. 'Recreational use' is to be limited to a tot-lot youth playground, walking, hiking, nature study and observation, boating, golfing, non-commercial youth sports, bocce, lawn bowling, handball, volleyball, disc golf, frisbee, fishing, skiing, swimming, or picnicking areas (and specifically excludes horse racing, dog racing, or any sport normally undertaken in a stadium, gymnasium or similar structure). The value of land is to be determined under GL 59:38 based strictly on its use. In a city that accepts this section, the rate of tax applicable to Urban Access land shall be the rate determined to be applicable to class two, open space. The remainder of the chapter regulates the process and requirements for evaluating such land, the establishment of exceptions, and other administrative requirements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD125 - An Act the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and reconstruction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes the Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction responsible for ameliorating racial inequality during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; sets out the structure of the Bureau, including an advisory council, and an administrator appointed by the Governor; authorizes the Bureau to manage the new Commonwealth Health, Economic, Education, and Equity Recovery and Reconstruction Fund as well as advise state agencies in their COVID-19 recovery efforts; establishes several additional programs and funds within the Bureau, including a Small Business Stabilization and Support Fund, an Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program, and a Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction Service Corps responsible for supporting small businesses, reintegrating the formerly incarcerated into their communities, and addressing a variety of other unmet community needs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD128 - An Act the Commonwealth housing, economic, education and equity in recovery and reconstruction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes the Massachusetts Bureau on Social and Economic Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction responsible for ameliorating racial inequality during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; sets out the structure of the Bureau, including an advisory council, and an administrator appointed by the Governor; authorizes the Bureau to manage the new Commonwealth Health, Economic, Education, and Equity Recovery and Reconstruction Fund as well as advise state agencies in their COVID-19 recovery efforts; establishes several additional programs and funds within the Bureau, including a Small Business Stabilization and Support Fund, an Incarceration to Incorporation Entrepreneurship Program, and a Commonwealth Housing, Economic, Education and Equity in Recovery and Reconstruction Service Corps responsible for supporting small businesses, reintegrating the formerly incarcerated into their communities, and addressing a variety of other unmet community needs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD134 - An Act relative to reducing damage caused by the current foreclosure crisis in the historic districts of Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Creates a Historic District Stabilization Committee as non-profit corporation; authorizes to procure by eminent domain any real estate or real estate related property interest including, but not limited to, mortgages and tax obligation; undertakes a methodical study of the Historic District Community and real estate market to measure the economic capacity of likely home buyers and the Historic District. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD141 - An Act relative to medical debt exclusion from creditor reports | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 93:52 to prohibit consumer reports from including information from more than seven years prior and information pertaining to bills, charges, debts, payments, or collections of bills, charges, debts, or payments for medical services by a healthcare provider. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD143 - An Act regarding late payments and interest rates for real estate bills and personal property taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Adam Scanlon (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD196 - An Act relative to condominium elections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Hannah Kane (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 24 to GL Chapter 183A (Condominiums) setting forth procedures to be followed in any election held by any organization of condominium unit owners, including notification requirements, call for nominations, management of absentee ballots and appointment of election inspectors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD202 - An Act establishing a commission to study the financial abuse of elders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Hannah Kane (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a commission to study the financial abuse of elders in the Commonwealth; and directs the commission to file a report with policy recommendations to prevent the financial abuse of elders by December 31, 2026. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD230 - An Act relative to protection of a deceased family member against foreclosure and other civil action | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Patrick Kearney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 188:2 (Homestead Protection for Elderly or Disabled Persons) by establishing that a creditor's foreclosure action or enforcement of a lien on an estate of homestead must be stayed for at least 90 days if the estate submits an application for stay including (1) a letter setting forth facts stating the manner in which current probate proceedings materially affect the ability of the decedent's estate to make payments for the recurring costs of ownership and (2) a letter from the decedent's bank stating that the probate proceeding prohibits the estate's future administrator from accessing the decedent's accounts to make payments; once the probate court has appointed a personal administrator for the estate, a creditor may bring claims for back payments with interest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD237 - An Act relative to modernizing private flood insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Patrick Kearney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new GL Chapter 183, regulating the issuance of flood insurance by private insurance companies; directs Commissioner of Insurance to track and report the participation of private flood insurers annually. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD269 - An Act supporting economic growth of downtowns and main streets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Adam Scanlon (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD288 - An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Joseph McKenna (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 52F to GL Chapter 149 (Labor and industries) to require employers of independent contractors and staffing agencies to provide a minimum of 15 days of leave to an employee who is the victim of abusive behavior; defines "abusive behavior"; requires employee seeking leave to provide 3 days advance notice to employer if possible; allows employer to determine if leave is paid or unpaid; allows employer to require documentation of need for leave; prohibits negative action against employee if employee provides documentation within 30 days; requires employee to exhaust all other forms of leave before using leave using this section; prohibits employers from discriminating against employee who uses leave; requires employers to provide notice of availability of leave; and provides that use of leave is not relevant in any court proceeding relating to abusive behavior unless judge determines that it is relevant. New draft of SB1166, making minor technical changes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD312 - An Act establishing a special commission on blockchain and cryptocurrency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a special commission tasked with developing recommendations to expand the cryptocurrency industry and the use of blockchain technology in the Commonwealth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD363 - An Act relative to ATM receipts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Adrianne Ramos (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 167B:9, adding a list of contact information for the consumer if the consumer may be experiencing financial abuse as a requirement for the written documentation of each electronic transfer by a consumer from an electric branch or point-of-sale terminal that financial institutions must provide. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD412 - An Act protecting bank employees and customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tackey Chan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 93:40A (Regulation of Trade) to establish that venue for litigation involving dishonored checks can be before the court where either the plaintiff or defendant lives or has a place of business or employment; amends GL 265:17 (Crimes Against the Person) relative to armed robbery to expand what can qualify as a weapon, including an improvised explosive device or hypodermic needle, and makes robberies committed against a banking institution as serious as an armed robbery; amends provisions of GL 265:19 relative to unarmed robbery by force or violence to establish a minimum term of 30 months, and to make robbery inside a bank or credit union an aggravating offense; amends GL 266:30 (Crimes Against Property) relative to larceny to establish that if the larceny involved monies received through the uttering of a forged, altered or counterfeit check, draft or order for the payment of money from any bank or other depository, action may be taken before either the court having jurisdiction where the uttering took place or where the payee bank or other depository's main office is located. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD414 - An Act to protect consumers by further defining subprime loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tackey Chan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 184:17B½, exempting a first-time home loan that is a Qualified Mortgage from this section as of January 1, 2022. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD418 - An Act relative to increasing interest rate deductions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tackey Chan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 62:3 (Income Tax Deductions) to increase amount of allowable deduction for interest and dividend income from $100 to $500 for an individual return and from $200 to $1000 for a joint return. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD423 - An Act establishing a tax on excessive executive compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 82 to GL Chapter 63 (Taxation of Corporations) applicable to corporations with a net income of $10 million or more; provides that the corporation's tax rate is the base tax rate plus an additional amount determined by a comparison of the compensation of the CEO, COO or highest paid employee of the taxpayer averaged over the three previous calendar years against the median compensation of all employees (including all contracted employees under contract) in the United States for the previous calendar year; sets out amounts of additional tax from 0 to 10 percent, depending on the amount by which the CEO compensation exceeds the median compensation; provides that the additional tax rate is increased by 50 percent if a corporation reduces the number of its full-time employees by more than 10 per cent in a year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD481 - An Act making changes to certain references in the banking laws of the Commonwealth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This highly technical bill makes various changes to the banking laws in the commonwealth, including those related to supervision of banks, electronic branches and fund transfers, bank locations, mortgages and loans, mutual holding companies, corporate bank transactions, mergers, consolidations and purchase of assets and conversions, corporate governance, and savings banks; in particular, this bill changes references to cooperative banks in stock form, savings banks in stock form, and modifies language referring to banks and banking to financial services; the bill additionally modifies the process for corporate bank mergers and consolidations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD489 - An Act relative to pension divestment from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Directs the Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board or the Pension Reserves Investment Trust to research and divest the pooled investment fund containing the assets of the State Employees’ and Teachers’ Retirement Systems, as well as the assets of various local retirement systems, of direct or indirect holdings of companies conducting business operations with Myanmar; requires identification of such companies through independent, third-party research; regulates the sale, redemption, divestment or withdrawal of such publicly traded securities; expires divestment requirements when the department of state removes sanctions against Myanmar. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD560 - An Act relative to the licensure of appraisers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tackey Chan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 26:8G relative to the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board by expanding its membership and transferring the Board from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Professional Licensure; provides for the Attorney General to appoint two new members, including a member to represent her office, as well as a member unaffiliated with an auto body shop or an insurance company to represent the interests of consumers; additionally, replaces an appointee from the Commissioner of Insurance with an appointee from the Commissioner of the Division of Professional Licensure; prohibits members from serving more than 2 consecutive and complete 3 year terms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD565 - An Act to require financial institutions to pay late fees when it fails to conduct an electronic transfer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tackey Chan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 167B relative to electronic bank branches and electronic fund transfers by adding provisions that if a financial institution fails to pay a preauthorized transfer and as a result the consumer is charged with a fine, penalty or late charge, the financial institution must reimburse the consumer for the cost, plus interest accruing, within five days of discovering the error by the financial institution or within five days of when the consumer reports to the error to the financial consumer; willful failure to comply subjects a financial institution to triple damages. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD629 - An Act providing for consumer protection in a digital economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Requires the Office of the State Treasurer to develop and periodically update a digital module on cryptocurrencies and digital assets, in order to support Massachusetts residents with overseeing their finances, understanding money management strategies, and protecting their security. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD633 - An Act supporting seniors' financial stability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 79 to GL Chapter 10, directing the office of the State Treasurer to periodically review and update model curriculum to support seniors' financial literacy and stability. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD695 - An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Thomas Moakley (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 5E to GL Chapter 62, establishing a new income tax deduction for amounts deposited into a first-time home buyer savings account; limits the annual deduction amounts to $5,000 for individual returns and $10,000 for joint returns; allows aggregate exemptions up to $50,000 over 15 years; regulates the designation of accounts as first-time home buyer savings accounts by April 15 of the following year, and the determination of qualified beneficiaries; requires use of the funds for eligible costs related to the purchase of a single family home to qualify for the tax deduction; imposes both taxes on deposits and penalties for use of the funds for other purposes; directs the department of revenue to establish forms for both financial institutions and designation of beneficiaries under these accounts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD707 - An Act relative to protecting sensitive information from security breaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tram Nguyen (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds provisions to GL Chapter 93H (Security Breaches) by adding new definitions and updating certain provisions to reflect changing technology, or the potential for changing technology. In particular, the bill: Adds new definitions and updates the definitions of personal information to make it clear that biometric information, genetic information, health insurance information, medical information geolocation information, date of birth and usernames or electronic mail address, in combination with a password or security question and answer that would permit access to an online account, are all part of the personal information that needs to be protected, and the breach of which requires that the owner of the data be informed. Requires that rules and regulations be updated on a regular basis to reflect any changes to the definitions of “breach of security” or “personal information.” Requires the disclosure of a breach to the owner of the data when there is a breach such that the use or acquisition presents a reasonably foreseeable risk of financial, physical, reputational or other cognizable harm to the resident. Enhances the notice that must be provided to the owner of data when there has been a breach. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD754 - An Act relative to crumbling concrete foundations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Brian M. Ashe (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD761 - An Act establishing a designation of a state protection and advocacy system | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Christine Barber (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a protection and advocacy system for the purpose of investigating abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of persons with disabilities occurring in the Commonwealth and advocating for the civil and human rights of such persons; provides that system shall be an independent private nonprofit corporation which has been designated as the protection and advocacy system for the commonwealth under the federal law. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD794 - An Act to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Orlando Ramos (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 6:220 (Facial Recognition Searches) to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology. As rewritten the section now provides that it is unlawful — absent express authorization — for a law enforcement agency or officer to acquire, possess, access, use, assist with the use of or provide resources for the development or use of any biometric surveillance technology. No information obtained in violation of this section will be admissible in any criminal, civil, administrative or other proceeding. in addition, it will be unlawful for a law enforcement agency of officer to use a biometric surveillance system to infer a person’s emotions or affect, or to use a biometric surveillance system to analyze moving images or video data. However, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles may acquire, possess, or use facial recognition technology to verify an individual’s identity when issuing licenses, permits or other documents; in addition, the Department of State Police may perform a facial recognition search for four enumerated purposes. These exceptions include: to execute a warrant duly authorized by a judge based on probable cause that an unidentified or unconfirmed individual in an image has committed a felony; upon reasonable belief that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any individual or group of people requires the performance of a facial recognition search without delay; to identify a deceased person; or on behalf of another law enforcement agency or a federal agency All persons charged with a crime who were identified using a facial recognition search must be provided notice thereof; law enforcement agencies and district attorneys must make readily available to defendants and their attorneys in criminal prosecutions all records and information pertaining to any facial recognition searches performed or requested during the course of the investigation. Each non-law enforcement public agency shall document, as a public record, each facial recognition search requested and each facial recognition search performed by its public officials and report this information quarterly to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD836 - An Act relative to residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Priscila Sousa (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B, codifying the program of Rental Assistance for Families in Transition in new section 31 of GL23B; specifies eligibility standards and funding priorities for program; establishes annual reporting requirements for DHCD; provides that records of assistance provided are public records with the exception of the identities of tenants and subtenants. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD850 - An Act enhancing the mission of credit unions and promoting fair competition among financial institutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Frank A. Moran (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 171:10 (Credit Unions) to restrict amendments of by-laws containing the conditions of residence, occupation, or association that qualify persons for membership; provides that by-laws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of all of the members present and entitled to vote; provides that membership vote may only be held at the annual meeting; requires credit unions to establish a written policy that the credit union will follow to verify that a person meets the qualifications for membership; requires a credit union that has more than 25,000 members to provide its members with the option to vote by electronic means at any annual meeting or special meeting' provides that if a person is eligible for membership in a credit union on the basis of living in a geographic area specified in the by-laws then the examination of its record of performance shall assess its compliance with community reinvestment throughout the entire geographic area; requires a foreign credit union applying to establish a branch office in the Commonwealth to file with the Division of Banks the credit union’s assessment area a plan for satisfying its obligation to help meet the credit needs of the communities in the Commonwealth it states it will serve. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD854 - An Act protecting titles to real estate in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Frank A. Moran (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Submits the Real Estate Title Protection Act, a substantial group of statutory changes relating to the recording of real estate titles, mortgages and other documents in Massachusetts, for the purpose of avoiding fraudulent conveyances, changing conditions surrounding residential property foreclosures, helping homeowners with mortgages know who holds the mortgages and notes on their property, and allowing municipalities to know who is responsible for real estate taxes and other property charges. Directs the attorney general to annually notify all registers of deeds of any changes to statutes, regulations and court decisions that might affect their responsibilities or operations; amends GL 36:12A (Refusal to Accept Certain Instruments for Recording), by establishing specific criteria in order to record a deed or other real estate document, including those related to font size, timelines for recording after execution unless certain exceptions are met, and inclusion of substantiating documents related to assignments and discharges. Establishes a new Section 54E in GL 183 which requires homeowner mortgage statements to include mortgagee, note owner and mortgage servicer contact information; requires the statements to identify the mortgage servicers as “the company that you pay”; requires mortgage statements to be accurate as of the day they are sent; amends GL 183:55 (Discharge of Mortgage), by requiring the note owner to send mortgagors the original note, with all allonges (attached papers), marked “paid in full” within 20 days; defines violation of these provisions as unfair or deceptive business practices under GL 93A. Amends numerous provisions related to foreclosure; repeals the ability to foreclose through possession of the land; requires 3 years of peaceable possession to bar redemption of the property by the mortgagee; allows redemption of property foreclosed through possession when the foreclosure occurred during the 3 years following enactment of the possession foreclosure ban; repeals provisions allowing a right of entry prior to breach of mortgage conditions and allowing the entry to enable foreclosure by possession; regulates notice provided to municipal tax assessors and collectors of any foreclosure on property; amends provisions related to affidavits filed by creditors ensuring that the mortgagee listed on a foreclosure action is the holder of the mortgage note; imposes penalties for non-compliance; establishes additional penalties for execution or recording of fraudulent real estate documents, as defined; establishes a 10 year statute of limitations from the date of document execution; directs the Attorney General to refer allegations of fraud to local district attorneys for investigation and prosecution. Requires the attorney General to provide notice to all e-recording entities, and to make forms for reporting alleged fraud available; directs the attorney general to file annual reports detailing the number of referrals, the number of enforcement cases brought and the status of each case. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD906 - An Act making corrective changes to Chapter 112 of the General Laws | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Thomas M. Stanley (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Makes a number of technical corrections in GL Chapter 112 (Registration of Certain Professions and Occupations) having to do with Appraisal Management Companies, including adding a definition of “Federal Appraisal Subcommittee”, by striking out references to “managing principal”, and by adding provisions that establish that: A person who directly or indirectly owns more than 10% of an entity applying for registration must establish the person as being one good moral character; The board must collect and remit to the Federal Appraisal Subcommittee the annual national registry fee received from each appraisal management company. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD931 - An Act requiring financial education in schools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD935 - An Act relative to preventing fraud and establishing regulations on certain virtual currencies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD995 - An Act concerning investments of the Massachusetts Pension Reserve Investment Management (PRIM) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Directs the Massachusetts pension reserves investment management (PRIM) board to require investments in the private real estate, private equity, and private infrastructure asset classes, including partnerships, joint ventures, co-investment vehicles, commingled investments, and direct investments, to condition such financing on following the listed requirements pertaining to selection of construction contractors; limits such conditions to PRIM investments resulting in equity interests greater than fifty percent; requires selection of responsible contractors; bans debarred contractors; requires good faith efforts to achieve agreements with labor organizations; prohibits investments with the potential to eliminate public sector jobs; encourages, but does not mandate, adherence to standards for investments resulting in less than a fifty percent equity stake; regulates the selection of external managers and portfolio companies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1046 - An Act creating a maximum allowable check-cashing rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Hunt (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends various provisions relative to the licensing of check cashers; increases the maximum fine imposed for violation of existing laws related to check cashing from five hundred dollars to one thousand dollars; adds a new Section 14 to GL Chapter 169A, which imposes maximum permissible fees charged by check cashers; limits service charges to one dollar plus a percentage of the check, according to check issuer; designates a maximum percentage of 2.5 percent for government issued checks, 2.25 percent for payroll checks, 5 percent up to five dollars for personal checks and 3 percent for all other payment instruments, including checks, drafts, and money orders; prohibits charging more than five dollars for initial customer account setup. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1076 - An Act protecting consumers' privacy in mortgage applications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Hunt (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 70 to GL Chapter 183, outlining unfair and deceptive acts in the solicitation of a consumer for a mortgage loan during which the solicitation is based on information contained in a mortgage trigger lead. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1077 - An Act relative to financial literacy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Hunt (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 18:2 relative to Comprehensive Financial Assistance Program within the Department of Transitional Assistance by adding a requirement that DCF also provide “financial literacy” along with health, mental health, educational, correctional and employment services for persons who are unable to provide such services for themselves. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1112 - An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mike Connolly (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes that a city or town that has created a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund may impose a fee between .5% and 2% of the purchase price upon the transfer of any real property interest, and may establish different transfer fees for categories of properties, defined by the tax classification and the value of a property; cities and towns subject to the MBTA Communities Law must be in compliance with that law before imposing the fee. The city or town will have the authority to designate whether the transfer fee is to be borne by the purchaser, the seller or how it will be allocated between the two. ¶Exemptions form the transfer fee are to include transfers for the lesser of less than $1,000,000 in communities less than the lesser of $1,000,000 or 100 per cent of the median single family home sales price for that county unless a city or town adopts a higher threshold; transfers made as gifts with consideration less than $100; transfers to the government of the United States, the Commonwealth and any of their instrumentalities; distributions by the trustees of a trust to the beneficiaries of such trust; transfers between family members; transfers to first-time homebuyers; and other enumerated situations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1154 - An Act relative to customer reimbursement in instances of financial fraud | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 52 to GL Chapter 167, requiring a bank, in the event of finding fraudulent charges on a customer’s account, to reimburse the customer any money lost within 30 days; and penalizes banks in violation of this section. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1158 - An Act relative to corporate filing requirements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 7:3B relative to provisions that allow the Secretary for Administration and Finance to determine the amount to be charged for any other service, registration, regulation, license, fee, permit or other public function, by adding a proviso that no additional surcharge may be assessed due to payment method where such method, whether by check, credit card, electronic means or other instrument, is approved for use; applies the same restrictions on no additional surcharges to GL 109:63 relative to the annual reports of limited partnerships, and the annual report that business corporations must file with the Secretary of State under GL 156D:16.22. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1233 - An Act relative to motor vehicle debt waivers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1275 - Resolve establishing a commission to better protect consumers in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a special commission to better protect consumers through studying title insurance practices in the commonwealth and making recommendations for legislative changes regarding insurance practices and rates; outlines commission duties and membership requirements; and directs the commission to file its findings and recommendations by July 31, 2026. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1288 - An Act enabling a local option empty homes tax on vacant units in residential buildings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mike Connolly (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Creates new GL 64O (Empty Homes Tax) establishing a local option tax on vacant residential units within buildings of 6 or more units, either unoccupied for 90 days or newly constructed and unrented 90 days post-certificate of occupancy; sets the vacancy tax at 12.5% of the annualized last agreed monthly rent, or a municipally-determined rate; requires that owners register vacant units within 30 days; and sets out various exemptions, including redevelopment reconstruction of the unit, instances of significant medical events, military deployment, recent inheritance, and legal disputes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1415 - An Act establishing a commission to study the financial relationship between Massachusetts entities and companies owned by the Chinese government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a special commission to study the financial relationship between Massachusetts entities and China state-owned companies; and directs the commission to submit its findings by December 31, 2025. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1427 - An Act relative to higher education financial literacy counseling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 15 regulating public higher education, by allowing the Board of Higher Education to require the University of Massachusetts, public universities and public community colleges to provide financial literacy counseling regarding student loans and other expenses to accepted students; authorizes the board to provide accepted students with a financial aid shopping sheet that includes include the estimated cost of attendance including tuition and fees, housing and meals, books and supplies, transportation and other education costs, as well as payment options including grants and scholarships and work-study and loan options; directs the board to establish regulations for same. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1448 - An Act allowing for the deduction of business interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Hannah Kane (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1450 - An Act relative to unlawful practices in the servicing and foreclosure of a subordinate mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Amy Mah Sangiolo (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1458 - An Act fostering artificial intelligence responsibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new (and unnamed) Chapter 149B to the General Laws, regulating employers' use of electronic monitoring and automated decision systems to protect employee privacy and rights. In particular: Employers can only use monitoring tools for legitimate purposes (e.g., job performance, security) and must provide notice, obtain consent, store data securely, and avoid prohibited practices like off-duty surveillance or personal device tracking. Employers must conduct impact assessments to evaluate ADS fairness and potential bias before use. Employees and candidates must be notified at least 10 business days in advance, with rights to reevaluation and complaint filing. Employers must ensure human oversight in employment decisions (e.g., hiring, promotions) and cannot use ADS in ways that violate laws, harm safety, or predict personal traits. Employees are protected from adverse actions if they refuse to follow harmful or illegal AI outputs, exercise independent judgment, or report concerns. Employers cannot penalize employees for seeking rights, filing complaints, or participating in employment-related legal actions. State agencies cannot use ADS for public assistance, civil liberties, or safety-related decisions unless explicitly authorized. Agencies must conduct impact assessments before using ADS, analyzing fairness, bias, cybersecurity, and privacy risks. No state agency may procure or use ADS unless specifically | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1565 - An Act requiring public pension fund divestment from ammunition and firearms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Requires the Pension Reserves Investment Trust or the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board, in their capacity as manager of assets of the state and teachers retirement systems, and local retirement systems under the control of PRIM Board, to identify any direct or indirect holdings related to ammunition, firearm or firearm accessory manufacturing or retailing companies within 30 days; requires the funds to sell, redeem, divest or withdraw the holdings within 12 months; prohibits further investment in such companies; exempts indirect holdings in actively managed funds, but requires PRIT or PRIM Board to request fund managers to remove such holdings from the fund or to establish a similar fund without firearm holdings; exempts funds engaged in divestiture from conflicting statutory and common law; (NOTE: This could refer to fiduciary duty under GL 32:23, 840 CMR 1.02 and other similar laws); allows funds to stop divestment activities if holdings are below certain percentages; indemnifies public fund members, state officers and employees, and contracted fund managers from liability for losses related to divestment; requires submission of an annual report of all investments sold, redeemed, divested or withdrawn, as well as investments still retained, related to gun, firearms and ammunition companies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1595 - An Act relative to a green vendor tax credit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes and regulates a program for designation of restaurants as green certified restaurants; requires state agencies to give preference to green certified restaurants when doing business requiring restaurant services; defines such restaurants as those that use the listed practices, including reusable utensils, reusable dishes, reusable glasses, and bulk condiments at in-dining facilities, and reusable mug discount incentive programs, reusable container incentive programs, and condiments, napkins, straws, and utensils by request only for dining out services; entitles green certified restaurants to a sales and use tax credit in the amount of $5,000 upon certification, an an additional $5,000 tax credit in the year following its certification; limits the number of certifications to 250; regulates calculation and implementation of the credit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1679 - An Act establishing an internet bill of rights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Russell E. Holmes (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new GL chapter 93M establishing law protecting personal data on the internet; provides that personal data shall be: (i) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject; (ii) collected only for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; (iii) adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed; (iv) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; (v) kept in a form that permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed; and (vi) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organizational measures; grants enforcement powers to controller and attorney general. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1735 - An Act ending large investor control of homes in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Jim Hawkins (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1763 - An Act establishing a first-time home buyers bill of rights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Thomas Walsh (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Requires any anyone entering into an agreement or facilitating an agreement for the sale or conveyance of residential real estate including, but not limited to a real estate agent, real estate broker or salesperson, to provide the prospective purchaser with a copy of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency homebuyers’ guide; exempts sales that don’t include a real estate agent, broker or salesperson from such requirement; imposes a fine of up $100 for failure to provide the guide to prospective purchasers; additionally requires mortgage brokers to provide the guide to mortgage applicants prior to obtaining a credit report; directs the MHFA to create a homebuyers’ guide for residential homebuyers with basic information to consider when purchasing a home. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1831 - An Act to increase financial access for all | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Jeffrey Turco (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1853 - An Act relative to protecting wages of deceased employees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new section 178A to GL 149 (Wage and hour laws) setting out procedure for payment of remaining wages owed to survivors of a deceased employee. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1876 - An Act establishing the town of Plymouth Land Bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Michelle Badger (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1901 - An Act relating to improvements to residential properties | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1925 - An Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new provisions to GL c.184 (General Provisions Relative to Real Property) that generally offer tenant associations the right of first refusal to seek to purchase a building in case the building is sold or being foreclosed upon, applicable to buildings involving more than four units and buildings that are not owner occupied. Certain kinds of units, including a group residence, homeless shelter, lodging house, orphanage, temporary dwelling structure or transitional housing are excluded from the reach of the law. In general, tenant associations may act within 51% approval of the association, and may designate various entities to act on their behalf.¶In particular, a municipality may adopt, at local option, rules and regulations under which the owner of a residential building must notify the municipality and each Tenant household of the owner's intention to sell, after which a tenant association with the minimum tenant participation may select a successor entity to with the intent to purchase the property. The owner must give the selected entity an opportunity to purchase the property within designated time periods.¶The bill also includes provisions intended to prevent short sales for qualifying units, and provisions intended to allow tenant associations to make an offer when a qualifying building is about to be foreclosed. ¶The owner of a building may not take any action to evict, threaten, coerce, or retaliate against one or more tenants in order to avoid application of these provisions; aggrieved tenants, tenant associations, designees, successors, assignees, and municipalities may seek damages under chapter 93A on their own behalf, or seek enforcement through the Attorney General. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1926 - An Act relative to price-fixing prohibition, consumer transparency & tax fairness | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Paul McMurtry (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD1995 - An Act protecting the use of bank names, trade names and trademarks in electronic communications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 167:37 relative to unauthorized banking by including a business trust, joint venture, societies within the scope of the section's regulation, and by adding references to text message, website, letter, brochures, pamphlets displays sales literature and any other form of electronic communication the types of communication that are regulated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2001 - An Act protecting seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. James M. Murphy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Chapter 110I to the General Laws, entitled Financial Exploitation of Seniors and Adults with Disabilities. Under the chapter, “adult protective services agency” is any office, division, department, or unit in the Commonwealth that is charged with the investigation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elder adults or a disabled person, as defined in GL c.19C; a “qualified individual” means any agent, investment adviser representative, bank employee, or person who serves in a supervisory, compliance, or legal capacity for a financial institution. The Secretary of State is to have supervisory power over the chapter. In particular the new chapter: Mandates that qualified individuals report suspected financial exploitation of eligible adults to the Secretary and relevant adult protective services agencies; Details the necessary information in the report, including the names and addresses of the eligible adult and caretaker, the nature of the injury or condition, and any other pertinent details; Allows qualified individuals to notify designated third parties if financial exploitation is suspected, except when the third party is suspected of exploitation; Permits financial institutions to delay disbursements or transactions when exploitation is suspected, requiring them to notify all authorized parties and conduct internal reviews; the delay authorization expires after a specified period unless extended by court order; Mandates that financial institutions provide relevant records related to financial exploitation to the Secretary, adult protective services, or law enforcement during investigations; Confirms that the Secretary's authority to access and examine financial records of broker-dealers or investment advisers remains intact; Offers immunity to qualified individuals who, in good faith and exercising reasonable care, comply with the chapter's provisions, while clarifying that this immunity doesn't protect individuals involved in financial exploitation; Allows eligible adults or their representatives to file civil claims for damages if financial exploitation occurs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2010 - An Act relative to uniform real property electronic recordings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2017 - An Act regarding credit card surcharging | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. James M. Murphy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2053 - An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Marjorie Decker (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B, directing the Department of Housing and Community Development to administer a rental and mortgage arrearage assistance program subject to appropriation; requires eligible households to have incomes at or below 50% of the area median income and to be at risk of eviction or foreclosure within the next 12 months; authorizes eviction or foreclosure risk to be determined by certified statements from the landlord or mortgage holder and the household verifying inability to pay outstanding rent or mortgage payments; requires at least half of the funds for to go to households earning no more than 30% of area median income; limits assistance to a maximum of the lesser of either actual liability or 4 months worth of rent or mortgage payments; directs payment of assistance under this program to be paid directly to the landlord or mortgage holder; instructs the Department tofile an annual report on the program with the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Housing, and the House and Senate Clerks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2057 - An Act relative to transparency in optional credit card fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. James Arena-DeRosa (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Updates provisions on consumer credit cost disclosure as found in GL c.140 (Licenses) by striking the provisions that prohibit a merchant from charging extra for credit card transactions, and replacing it with provisions that require to post a conspicuous sign about any surcharge on their premises. New draft of SB178. The new draft makes grammatical and technical corrections to the previous bill, including the previous erroneous reference to GL c.14D. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2087 - An Act advancing renewable heating solutions for the Commonwealth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new GL chapter 164C requiring entities that sell natural gas to end-use customers to comply with renewable heating standards starting in 2027 and outlines methods for compliance; requires department of energy resources to conduct a qualified renewable heating fuels inventory; establishes tax credits for renewable heating systems, geothermal heating equipment and production of qualified renewable heating fuels; establishes Renewable Heating Solutions Development Fund to be administered by the department of energy resources to stimulate investment in the development of qualified renewable heating fuels and renewable thermal resources by entering into agreements for qualified renewable heating fuels and for renewable thermal resources. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2110 - An Act establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Andres Vargas (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Inserts new Chapter 93M into the General Laws, to be known as the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act — the new chapter would set out a variety of restrictions on the collection, storage, use, or transfer of personal data by businesses or certain other organizations, including by: Establishing a “duty of loyalty,” restricting entities from collecting, processing, or transferring personal data beyond what is reasonably necessary to provide a variety of services; Outlining more extensive protections for particularly sensitive data, including biometric or genetic information, social security numbers, financial information, or private communications; Prohibiting the transfer of said sensitive data without an individual’s consent, except to comply with certain legal obligations; Providing for a right to access, correct, or delete an individual’s personal data held by businesses or other organizations, pending a verified request; Outlining procedures for businesses or other organizations to make disclosures to individuals regarding the intended use of their personal data, and to seek consent; Prohibiting retaliation for exercising any rights relating to management of an individual’s personal data; Restricting the collection, processing, or transferring of data in such a way that discriminates, or creates a disparate impact regarding race, gender, religion, or other protected categories; Requiring businesses or other organizations to make available their data privacy policies, as well as a means of withdrawing consent regarding the processing or transfer of an individual’s data; Setting out enforcement mechanisms, including by authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action relating to mismanagement of personal data; and, Providing for the registration and oversight of “data brokers” by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2128 - An Act providing mortgage customers additional mandatory information regarding their accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new section 17 to GL Chapter 167E, requiring banks and lending institutions to issue monthly statements to their mortgage loan customers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2135 - An Act establishing the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Enacts a new Chapter 93M into the General Laws, entitled Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, which establishes comprehensive data privacy regulations for businesses operating in the state or targeting its residents. It applies to entities that collect or process the personal data of at least 25,000 consumers or profit from selling personal data but exempts government entities and specific types of data (e.g., health information under HIPAA). In particular, consumers can: Access, correct, and delete their personal data. Obtain a list of third parties that received their data. Opt out of targeted advertising, data transfers, and profiling. Use an authorized agent to exercise these rights. Data Controllers & Processors must: Limit data collection, processing, and transfers to what is necessary for services. Obtain affirmative consent for processing sensitive data. Maintain security measures and delete data when no longer needed. Provide clear privacy notices and opt-out mechanisms. In addition: Processors must follow controllers’ instructions, ensure confidentiality, and comply with contractual obligations regarding data protection.; Controllers must conduct data protection assessments for activities like targeted advertising, data sales, and profiling, which assessments must be submitted to the Attorney General and summarized publicly; Controllers must ensure data cannot be re-identified and must enforce compliance among recipients; Controllers must still comply with law enforcement, legal obligations, consumer safety measures, and scientific research while ensuring constitutional protections. The AG can enforce compliance, impose penalties, and recover litigation costs. Individuals (except small businesses) can sue for damages under a private right of action. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2252 - An Act relative to the equitable assessment of bank fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Repeals provisions regulating the operation of banks and credit unions that limit bans on the imposition of fees for depositing checks with insufficient funds, on those deposits made into accounts established for personal, family or household purposes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2254 - An Act relative to rent escrow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 239:8A relative to rent withholdings in the chapter on Summary Process for Possession of Land by establishing that if the originally scheduled trial date is continued for any reason, upon motion of any party, the court may require the tenant or occupant intending to deposit with the clerk of the court, the plaintiff’s attorney or other secure depository the amount due for use and occupancy each month or due upon the frequency required pursuant to the rental agreement (with certain exceptions). If a tenant or occupant fails to comply with an order requiring deposit, the court must order the matter to be scheduled for bench trial at the earliest date available and make such further orders as the court deems just. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2318 - An Act to encourage retirement planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Paul J. Donato (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new section in GL c. 10 (Department of the State Treasurer) that establishes and regulates the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program Act, with both a savings fund and an administrative fund. In particular: Requires the savings fund to be administered and controlled by a seven person board; Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the board; Directs the board to ensure that the program focuses on participation, savings, sound investment practices, ease of use, efficient enrollment and portability; Regulates investment option under the program; Directs the board to evaluate different investment options and hire qualified parties, including investment managers, financial institutions and auditors, to run the program and fund; Requires the Board to distribute information about the program to eligible employers; Requires employers to establish a payroll system for employee contributions and to automatically enroll employees who do not opt out of the program; Regulates employee options for participation; Requires annual audited financial reports by the board; Imposes penalties on employers who fail to enroll employees in the program; and Details administrative requirements for implementation of the program. Please note that this substantive bill is substantially similar to but not identical to HB996. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2363 - An Act enabling local options for tenant protections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mike Connolly (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Strikes out Chapter 40P, the Massachusetts Rent Control Prohibition Act, enacted by the voters as an initiative petition in 1994, and replaces it with a new GL c.40P, entitled Tenant Protection Act. The new chapter is intended to provide municipalities with local options for rent stabilization, just cause eviction protections, condominium conversion ordinances, and other tenant protections. In particular: Establishes that cities or towns may adopt these provisions at local option, and authorizes cities and towns to regulate the rent and eviction of tenants in multi-family housing and provide for reasonable exemptions; Establishes that may provide for “fair return standards” for the regulation of rent (not defined); Establishes that a city or town that accepts these provisions may provide “just cause” protections, and that will not be allowed to recover a leased unit within both multi-family housing and residential dwellings unless a court makes one of nine specific findings, including: The lessee has failed to pay the rent; The lessee has violated c.93A; The lessee is committing or permitting a nuisance to exist; The lessee has used or permitted a leased unit to be used for any illegal purposes; The lessee has refused an extension or renewal of a lease at a rate that exceeds the CPI; The lessee has refused the lessor reasonable access to make necessary repairs or improvements required by law; The person holding at the end of a lease term is a sublessee not approved by the lessor; The lessor seeks to recover possession of a leased unit for their own personal use or that of family members; The lessor seeks to recover possession for any other just cause. Enacts the following additional provisions: Allows municipalities to regulate the conversion of housing to condominium or cooperative forms; Specifies the maximum rent for regulated rental units based on the rent charged 12 months prior to acceptance of this section; Permits cities or towns to regulate deposits and non-refundable move-in fees; Specifies installment payment options for a tenant's last month's rent and security deposit; Allows cities or towns to implement or exempt provisions of the chapter in distinct anti-displacement zones; Permits community organizations to petition for the establishment of anti-displacement zones. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2367 - An Act promoting a just transition and clean energy workforce standards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Marjorie Decker (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2390 - An Act relative to campaign finance reform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2451 - An Act amending the banking laws and related statutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends various banking statutes and those related to the deposit of public monies to provide that a portion of certain public monies, including those from any city, town, district or regional school district, may be deposited in accordance with the following conditions: (i) the funds are initially invested through a banking institution doing business in the commonwealth that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is selected by the treasurer; (ii) the selected banking institution arranges for the redeposit of the funds in deposit accounts in one or more banks or savings and loan associations wherever located; and (iii) the full amount or principal and any accrued interest of each such deposit account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In addition, other sections provide: That various officials, like county treasurers and clerks, to deposit surplus funds in approved financial institutions at competitive interest rates; That money from the Massachusetts Technology Development Corporation should be paid to the treasurer and deposited in financial institutions in line with GL c.29; and, That a financial institution may postpone the annual meeting of its voting body if the Governor has declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth or the area or areas served by the financial institution; That a financial institution may hold its annual meeting in a virtual or hybrid manner if the Governor has declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth. In addition, certain other banking practices are declared to be unfair methods and unfair and unsafe acts or practices (without reference to GL c.93A) including To require contracts in excess of five years without a commitment to upgrade their products and services to meet safe and sound tenets of banking and compliance with state and federal requirements; To fail to indemnify the financial institution from infringement claims arising out of software or technology products or services provided or licensed by the core processor; To charge excessive or previously undisclosed fees or charges for a financial institution to obtain its own data including tapes of such data; To charge termination penalties from a financial institution that is not the continuing entity upon consummation of a merger with another financial institution, including a merger with and into a financial institution that utilizes the same core processor; To perform abusive audits of existing contracts over extended retroactive periods upon notification by a financial institution that it will not to renew its contract with that core processor; To act to accomplish, either directly or indirectly, through any parent company, subsidiary or agent, what would otherwise be prohibited; and To coerce a financial institution to assent to a release, assignment, novation, waiver or estoppel that would prospectively relieve any person from liability imposed. Finally, the bill makes certain other technical changes to banking law. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2461 - An Act to modernize financial aid access | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Dan Sena (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2467 - An Act establishing a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Christine Barber (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 35D to GL Chapter 244 (Foreclosure) to establish a statewide Foreclosure Prevention Program applicable to 1-4 unit owner-occupied residential properties to require mortgage servicers and homeowners to participate in pre-foreclosure conferences to explore alternatives to foreclosure. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2482 - An Act relative to safety and justice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kip Diggs (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2498 - An Act relative to inactive bank account fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Todd M. Smola (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 167D to prohibit banks from charging inactivity fees in demand deposit accounts and savings accounts for persons 18 years of age or under or 65 years of age or older. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2513 - An Act relative to foreclosure mediation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kristin Kassner (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2541 - An Act to establish a Massachusetts public bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mike Connolly (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new GL Chapter 10A, creating the Massachusetts Public Bank; requires the bank to provide a safe depository for a portion of the public funds in the Commonwealth and to support the economic well-being of the Commonwealth, its cities and towns, its residents, its businesses and its state and municipal institutions; defines duties of the bank, including creating access to affordable financing, enabling the commonwealth to obtain benefits from the federal reserve, financing economic activity, strengthening state-chartered banks, supporting public and quasi-public institutions, supporting small and medium size businesses, increasing affordable housing and more; regulates the operations, governance and powers and duties of the bank, including acceptance and use of deposits; guarantees deposits with the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2572 - An Act to update certain changes to property tax collection laws | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Brian Murray (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2594 - An Act ensuring banking accessibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Ted Philips (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2622 - An Act relative to credit card surcharges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Ted Philips (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 140D:28A (Credit card holder discounts) to require sellers offering a discount on any transaction to induce payment by cash, check, debit card or similar means rather than by charge card or credit card to post a notice disclosing such discount on the seller's premises for in-person sales, on website for online sales and verbally for oral and telephonic sales. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2623 - An Act to mandate the review of climate risk in order to protect public pension beneficiaries and taxpayers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mindy Domb (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a Climate Risk Investment Review Committee to study and recommend divestment of public pension funds from fossil fuels and actively managed investment funds with fossil fuel investments; prohibits the acquisition of such investments directly or indirectly through actively managed funds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2648 - An Act providing for regulation and reporting requirements for qualifying virtual currency kiosk operators | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2680 - An Act relative to mortgage review boards and a small business loan review board within the Division of Banks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. James M. Murphy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends provisions with respect to both the regional Mortgage Review Boards and the Small Business Loan Review Boards, as found in GL 167:14A and 167:14C. In particular, with respect to the Mortgage Review Boards: The four Mortgage Review Boards are reduced to two; The requirements for who gets to sit on the Boards are amended; Strikes the limitation that no member gets to sit for more then 3 two-year terms; Adds a definition of “residential mortgage loan denial.” With respect to the Small Business Loan Review Boards: The four regional Small Business Loan Review Boards are consolidated into one Board; The requirements for who gets to sit on the Board are amended; Strikes the limitation that no member gets to sit for more then 3 two-year terms; Adds a definition of “small business loan.” In addition, the bill makes a number of grammatical corrections to both sections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2684 - An Act establishing uniform enforcement and confidentiality provisions relative to certain licensees under the jurisdiction of the Division of Banks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. James M. Murphy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes uniform confidentiality and enforcement provisions relative to certain licensees under the jurisdiction of the Division of Banks, including check cashers & money order agents, institutions engaging in foreign deposit transmissions, insurance premium finance agencies, mortgage lenders, institutions engaging in motor vehicle installment sales or retail installment sales and services, institutions engaging in small loans business, and third party loan servicers. For all of these kinds of institutions the bill enacts relatively parallel provisions, to establish, for example, that each day that a license violation occurs or continues will be deemed to be a separate offense; That the Commissioner of Banks has the power to investigate complaints, but that the Commissioner will be required to preserve a full record of each examination of a licensee, including a statement of its condition; That records of investigations and reports of examinations are to be confidential and privileged communications, not subject to subpoena, and not designated a public record; That the Commissioner has the power to issue summons as part of an investigation; That the refusal to appear, without justifiable cause, to cooperate with a summons may subject a person to a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 or by imprisonment for up to year; That the Commissioner of Banks to issue a cease and desist order when he or she concludes, after a hearing, that a licensee has engaged in or is about to engage in an unlawful act or practice; That the Commissioner is to suspend or revoke a license if the Commissioner finds violations of law or finds that any fact or condition exists which, if it had existed at the time of the original application for the license, would have warranted the Commissioner in refusing to issue the license; That no revocation, suspension or surrender of a license will impair the obligation of any pre-existing lawful contract. Also strikes certain parallel provisions, including those that require that a copy of a license be prominently displayed in the place of business; That a license is only valid for one year; That a license may not be transferred or assigned; That certain financial institutions must deposit a surety bond, cash or securities of $100,000 with the State Treasurer. Clarifies that certain types of financial institutions, such as a sales finance company, also includes a national banking association, federal savings bank, federal savings and loan association, federal credit union, or any bank, trust company, savings bank, savings and loan association or credit union organized under the laws of any other state of the United States, or any subsidiary of the above. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2692 - An Act relative to home investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2739 - An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes a new income tax deduction for amounts deposited into a first-time home buyer savings account under GL 62:5E; limits the annual deduction amounts to $5,000 for individual returns and $10,000 for joint returns; allows aggregate exemptions up to $50,000 over 15 years; regulates the designation of accounts as first-time home buyer savings accounts by April 15 of the following year, and the determination of qualified beneficiaries; requires use of the funds for eligible costs related to the purchase of a single family home to qualify for the tax deduction; imposes both taxes on deposits and penalties for use of the funds for other purposes; directs the department of revenue to establish forms for both financial institutions and designation of beneficiaries under these accounts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2899 - An Act relative to personal financial literacy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Ryan Hamilton (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 69:1R and creates new GL 71:100 to overhaul financial literacy curriculum standards, and require high school students to take at least 1 standalone personal financial literacy course prior to graduation; and establishes a Financial Literacy Trust Fund to support the implementation of these provisions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2938 - An Act modernizing protections for consumers in automobile transactions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 255B (Lemon Law) to make leases subject to the law; amends GL Chapter 90 (Motor vehicles) to establish that the 7 day period for the consumer to get a newly-purchased vehicle inspected runs from the time of delivery, not sale, and increases the maximum mileage for coverage under the law to 200,000 miles; amends GL 140:58 to allow Attorney General to pursue claims against automobile dealers and increases the bond amounts dealers must post to $50,000. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2964 - An Act relative to the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill is a complete rewrite of the 1961 session law that created the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation (SL 1961:294). The bill amends the constitution of the Corporation, the purpose of which is to create and maintain a fund for the insurance of shares and deposits of members of the Central Credit Union Fund, Inc. and credit unions established under specific laws. In particular: Establishes that an "Excess member" as an inactive member, federally chartered credit union, or state-chartered credit union whose excess shares and deposits become insured by the corporation; Removes the requirement that the credit union should be located within the commonwealth; Specifies that an excess member can only have its excess shares and deposits insured up to the maximum limitations applicable to Massachusetts state-chartered credit unions; Specifies additional requirements and provisions for excess members, including the submission of examination reports and other information, supervision and examination by the commissioner, approval for mergers, consolidations, and branch office establishment, and the existence of agreements with primary insurers and other regulators; Mandates that the board of directors of the corporation must meet at least quarterly, and a majority of the directors present will constitute a quorum; Grants the corporation the authority, through a vote of the board of directors, to borrow money and pledge its assets as security from members and others; Declares that the corporation will be considered an organization member of credit unions within the meaning of GL c.171; Allows the corporation, with a 2/3 vote of its board of directors and proper risk management policies and procedures in place, to apply to the commissioner for permission to make investments not specifically mentioned in the section; Specifies the maximum percentage of assets the corporation can invest in such investments and allows the use of investment advisers; Gives the commissioner the authority to impose conditions, limitations, and modify the corporation's investment authority; States that one or more mutual banks or subsidiary banking institutions, along with one or more credit unions, can merge or consolidate into a single credit union upon approval by the boards and written approval from the commissioner; Makes additional changes to the existing law regulating the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2979 - An Act to allow municipalities to deposit in credit unions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Authorizes state (GL Chapter 29) and municipal (GL Chapter 44) officials, agencies, institutions and departments, including school districts, to make deposits in credit unions or federal credit unions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD2980 - An Act to strengthen the state credit union charter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3001 - An Act promoting responsible investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Sam Montaño (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3098 - An Act relative to community reinvestment goals for banks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends provisions of GL 167:13 relative to the annual reports that need to be submitted to the Commissioner of Banks by adding a proviso that each report is to incorporate goals included in the strategic plan and the most recent rating from the commissioner as required under 209 CMR 46.00. Please note that General Law should never cite to the Code of Mass Regulations, as the code is sublaw designed to flesh out the General Law, and not the other way around. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3154 - An Act relative to financial technology services | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Enacts a new Chapter 140F into the General Laws, entitled Licensing of Earned Wage Access Services Providers. The new chapter regulates employer-integrated wage access services, which is the business of delivering to consumers access to earned but unpaid income that is based on employment, income, or attendance data obtained directly or indirectly from an employer. The chapter outlines requirements for obtaining a license, exempts certain entities like banks and credit unions, and permits participation in multi-state licensing systems. It details application procedures, including background checks and investigation fees. Additionally, the chapter clarifies that earned wage access services are not considered loans, money transmission, or debt collection under state law. Fees paid by consumers are not deemed interest or finance charges. Existing providers can continue operations until July 1, 2025, provided they apply for a license before January 1, 2025, and comply with the chapter's provisions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3216 - An Act creating a climate bank in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Joan Meschino (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 15 to GL Chapter 23J (Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center) by adding provisions relative to a new Massachusetts Climate Bank. As proposed, the bank would (1) evaluate, coordinate and facilitate innovative financing solutions for climate and clean energy innovations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, in line with achieving the commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions limits and sub-limits pursuant to GL Chapter 21N; (2) provide loans and technical assistance or risk management to qualified climate and clean energy innovations; (3) foster the development and consistent application of transparent underwriting standards, standard contractual terms, and measurement and verification protocols for qualified climate and clean energy innovations; (4) ease the economic effects of transitioning from a carbon-based economy to a clean energy economy; (5) facilitate job creation through the construction and operation of climate and clean energy innovations; (6) facilitate and accelerate the deployment of climate and clean energy innovations and promote climate resilience in disadvantaged and low-income communities; and (7) work to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and carbon emitting fuels throughout the Commonwealth and across all sectors. The bank is to be governed by a board of directors known as the Massachusetts Climate Finance Board, consisting of 11 members; the bank may not invest in or hold common stock or another equity investment in natural gas and utility scale biomass projects; funding for the bank in any single fiscal year is to be available, without the need for further appropriation, in a total amount of not less than $10 million from (1) money generated by all cap and trade pollution control programs; (2) amounts from alternative compliance payments established and administered under 225 CMR 14.00; and (3) other funds that the secretary may provide through fees from enforcement of market-based compliance mechanisms under GL Chapter 21N. By request of the governor, the state treasurer may also issue and sell up to $750,000,000 in bonds within a given fiscal year to capitalize the bank. NOTE: GL 23J:15 already exists; it was created by SES 2022:179:21. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3217 - An Act to establish the Massachusetts loan loss guarantee program for community development financial institutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3221 - An Act expanding access to banking and commercial insurance for underserved microbusinesses and small businesses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bud Williams (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3222 - An Act allowing fair compensation of Massachusetts credit union directors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Andres Vargas (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3229 - An Act relative to municipal senior property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 59:5 governing local property tax exemptions, creating a new exemption for disabled veterans age 65 or older corresponding to their percentage disability rating assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3315 - An Act promoting consumer choice regarding the use of credit trigger leads | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Michael Day (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3351 - An Act relative to the security of personal financial information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Michael Day (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 93H relative to electronic data security breaches by rewriting substantial portions of the chapter; requires a store or other entity that caused a data breach to reimburse the financial institution that issued any credit cards of access devices for the costs of reasonable actions undertaken by the financial institution as a result of the breach in order to protect the information of its cardholders; these reasonable actions include the cancellation or reissuance of cards, the closure and reopening of any deposit, transaction, share draft, or other accounts affected by the breach, stop payments or block transactions, any refund to a cardholder to cover the cost of any unauthorized transaction relating to the breach; and the notification of cardholders affected by the breach. Provides that a business that maintains procedures for responding to a breach of security pursuant to federal laws, rules, regulations, guidance, or guidelines, is deemed to be in compliance with this chapter if the person notifies affected Massachusetts residents in accordance with the maintained or required procedures when a breach occurs; the notice to be provided to customers is to include the consumers right to obtain a police report, how a consumer requests a security freeze, and any fees required to be paid to any of the consumer reporting agencies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3381 - An Act establishing the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Thomas Moakley (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3385 - An Act requiring public disclosures by publicly-traded corporate taxpayers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Donahue (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 62C:83 (Corporation taxation reports to state secretary) to eliminate requirement that the secretary redact identifying information about the corporation, and instead makes identifying information publicly available; provides that names of corporations failing to file reports in the previous year be made publicly available; provides that all information filed pursuant to this section be posted on the internet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3386 - An Act relative to residential assistance for families in transition (RAFT) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Donahue (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B, codifying the program of Rental Assistance for Families in Transition in new section 31 of GL23B; specifies eligibility standards and funding priorities for program; establishes annual reporting requirements for DHCD; provides that records of assistance provided are public records with the exception of the identities of tenants and subtenants. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3390 - An Act combating offshore tax avoidance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 62 and 63 (Income tax) to increase the share of Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) that is subject to state income tax from 5 percent to 50 percent. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3436 - An Act relative to the uniform special deposit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3437 - An Act relative to the uniform voidable transactions act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3438 - An Act relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3523 - An Act to provide accountability in the use of biometric recognition technology and comprehensive enforcement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. David M. Rogers (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3536 - An Act relative to neighborhood stabilization and economic development | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3576 - An Act protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Paul McMurtry (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3621 - An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Natalie Blais (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3630 - An Act relative to pension divestment from companies providing military equipment to the State of Israel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3673 - An Act relative to mortgage licensing in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Rich Haggerty (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3699 - An Act to establish an apprenticeship program to ready vacant public housing apartments for occupancy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kevin G. Honan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3749 - An Act providing transparency in third party litigation financing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Adrian Madaro (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3761 - An Act to guarantee a commercial tenant’s first right of refusal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Orlando Ramos (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new provisions to GL c.184 (General Provisions Relative to Real Property) that generally offer tenant associations the right of first refusal to seek to purchase a commercial building in case the building is sold or being foreclosed upon, applicable to commercial or mixed-use buildings involving more than four units and buildings that are not owner occupied. Certain kinds of units, including a group residence, homeless shelter, lodging house, orphanage, temporary dwelling structure or transitional housing are excluded from the reach of the law. In general, tenant associations may act within 51% approval of the association, and may designate various entities to act on their behalf.¶In particular, a municipality may adopt, at local option, rules and regulations under which the owner of a residential building must notify the municipality and each Tenant household of the owner's intention to sell, after which a tenant association with the minimum tenant participation may select a successor entity to with the intent to purchase the property. The owner must give the selected entity an opportunity to purchase the property within designated time periods.¶The bill also includes provisions intended to prevent short sales for qualifying units, and provisions intended to allow tenant associations to make an offer when a qualifying building is about to be foreclosed. ¶The owner of a building may not take any action to evict, threaten, coerce, or retaliate against one or more tenants in order to avoid application of these provisions; aggrieved tenants, tenant associations, designees, successors, assignees, and municipalities may seek damages under chapter 93A on their own behalf, or seek enforcement through the Attorney General. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3829 - An Act relative to structured settlement payment protections | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. John J. Mahoney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3851 - An Act to promote economic mobility through matched savings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new section to GL 23A (Department of Economic Development) that establishes and regulates a Matched Savings Trust Fund, to administered by the Secretary of Housing and Liveable Communities, and a program of matched-savings accounts, which is a contract between an account holder and a fiscal intermediary to increase the economic mobility of eligible participants. Eligible account holders are part of a household which has an income that does not exceed 80% of the median income for the area; fiscal intermediaries are Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with demonstrated effectiveness in matched-savings account management; sets out procedures governing such accounts, including permissible expenditures and ratio of contributions by account holders and fiscal intermediaries. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3858 - An Act protecting titles to real estate in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Frank A. Moran (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3939 - An Act temporarily protecting recently widowed spouses from foreclosure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Priscila Sousa (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3945 - An Act to protect users of electronic branches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3974 - An Act establishing a foreclosure review division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3982 - An Act relative to litigation financing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Danielle W. Gregoire (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD3988 - An Act regulating certain mortgages | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Michelle DuBois (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4053 - An Act protecting consumers in interactions with artificial intelligence systems | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. David M. Rogers (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4073 - An Act establishing the Comprehensive Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Kate Hogan (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new chapter 93M to the General Laws, entitled Massachusetts Consumer Privacy Act. Under this omnibus legislation, consumers are granted rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data processing activities, including targeted advertising and data sales. In particular: Consumers may appoint authorized agents for opt-out requests. Controllers or holder of data must limit data collection, obtain consent for sensitive data processing, and ensure security and non-discrimination. Special protections apply to minors, restricting data collection, sales, and targeted advertising. Processors of data must follow controllers' instructions and adhere to legal obligations. Data protection assessments are required for high-risk processing activities. Controllers handling de-identified and pseudonymous data must prevent re-identification. Enforcement is exclusive to the Attorney General, with violations classified as unfair trade practices under 93A. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4074 - An Act relative to the strengthening of financial literacy throughout the commonwealth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4084 - An Act regulating internet gaming | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Daniel Cahill (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4180 - An Act protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4204 - An Act achieving a green future with infrastructure and workforce investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. David M. Rogers (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 21N:7 (Market-place compliance mechanisms) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to impose a market-based compliance mechanism on the electricity, transportation, heating and industrial sectors for the purpose of meeting the Commonwealth’s greenhouse emissions targets; provides for revenues from the market-based compliance mechanism to be deposited into a variety of new funds to finance the Commonwealth’s response to climate change. Adds a new Section 13A to GL Chapter 25A establishing a Green infrastructure Fund to support investments in transit, housing, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and research in order to reduce emissions; adds new Section 13B to GL Chapter 25A establishing a 9-member Green Workforce Commission and corresponding Next Generation Green Workforce Fund to ensure that displaced workers have access to training and employment opportunities in green technology; adds new Section 13C to GL Chapter 25A providing for 50% of market-based compliance mechanism revenues to be distributed to low income residents of the Commonwealth as a dividend; creates a new GL Chapter 25D allowing municipalities to establish local or regional Climate Crisis Councils with corresponding Climate Crisis Funds to support local green investments as defined by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4205 - An Act facilitating housing for all | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mike Connolly (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Enacts a new Chapter 63D (Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Gross Receipts Tax) into the General Laws. The chapter establishes an annual 0.25% tax on gross receipts of each business entity engaged in business in the Commonwealth (with the first $50,000,000 of gross receipts exempted from the levy). Business entities are to file returns at the same time and in the same manner as the income tax returns; the Commissioner of DOR may establish or reallocate gross receipts among related business entities so as to fairly reflect the gross receipts of all such business entities; all gross receipts tax revenues received are to be deposited into a newly created Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Fund. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4215 - An Act financing housing first programs and housing for all in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Mike Connolly (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4238 - An Act to establish a Resolution Trust Fund for receipt of reasonable mortgage payments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Michelle DuBois (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HD4249 - An Act relative to financial transparency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Rep. Marjorie Decker (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD61 - An Act to increase transparency in the Massachusetts land record systems to protect the property rights of homeowners and businesses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael D. Brady (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 183:6D to require that residential property mortgages be forwarded within 30 days to the appropriate registry district for recording. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD70 - An Act protecting personal identifying information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael O. Moore (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 93H:1, broadening the definition of personal information to include date of birth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD91 - An Act to further clear titles to real property affected by technical irregularities in recorded instruments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael O. Moore (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 184:24 (Deficits, Irregularities or Omissions in Deeds) by repealing language that exempts registered land from the treatment of deeds with defects, irregularities and omissions as effective 10 years after their recording, registration or indexing; classifies grants of interests, mortgages, assignments, and releases or discharges executed by a personal representative, a trust, a person under a power of attorney, or the listed officers for an entity holding a power of attorney as valid notwithstanding defects, irregularities and omissions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD115 - An Act to ensure uniform and transparent reporting of medical debt data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Lydia M. Edwards (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new provisions to GL Chapter 12C (Center for Health Information and Analysis) that require CHIA to develop a uniform and interoperable electronic system of public reporting for providers as a prerequisite condition for advancing overdue medical bills to a debt collection agency. Further amends GL 93:52 relative to what a consumer reporting agency may report, to clarify that it may not report information concerning medical debt arising from the receipt of health care services. Finally, amends provisions of GL 6D:7 relative to the administration of the Healthcare Payment Reform Fund to permit the reimbursement of CHIA for funds expended for the purposes of executing the uniform medical debt reporting system. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD232 - An Act providing consumers with equal protection for all real estate appraisals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 112:174 relative to real estate appraiser titles; deletes provisions that allow non-licensed real estate appraisers to evaluate property that is not related to a federal transaction; makes it illegal for a non-licensed person to appraise real estate for a fee, unless they possess other licensed qualifications (real estate broker, CPA or business broker). New draft of SB147. The new draft makes grammatical and technical corrections to the previous bill, and (1) adds a new definition of “evaluation”; (2) establishes that §§173 to 199 relative to real-estate appraisals will not apply to a person engaged by a financial institution to perform an evaluation of real property. Bill is subject to an order (SD2950) to allow immediate consideration on Thursday, January 18, 2024, of the amendment substituting a new draft, SB2550. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD267 - An Act establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael O. Moore (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Inserts new Chapter 93M into the General Laws, to be known as the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act — the new chapter would set out a variety of restrictions on the collection, storage, use, or transfer of personal data by businesses or certain other organizations, including by: Establishing a “duty of loyalty,” restricting entities from collecting, processing, or transferring personal data beyond what is reasonably necessary to provide a variety of services; Outlining more extensive protections for particularly sensitive data, including biometric or genetic information, social security numbers, financial information, or private communications; Prohibiting the transfer of said sensitive data without an individual’s consent, except to comply with certain legal obligations; Providing for a right to access, correct, or delete an individual’s personal data held by businesses or other organizations, pending a verified request; Outlining procedures for businesses or other organizations to make disclosures to individuals regarding the intended use of their personal data, and to seek consent; Prohibiting retaliation for exercising any rights relating to management of an individual’s personal data; Restricting the collection, processing, or transferring of data in such a way that discriminates, or creates a disparate impact regarding race, gender, religion, or other protected categories; Requiring businesses or other organizations to make available their data privacy policies, as well as a means of withdrawing consent regarding the processing or transfer of an individual’s data; Setting out enforcement mechanisms, including by authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action relating to mismanagement of personal data; and, Providing for the registration and oversight of “data brokers” by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD270 - An Act to amend the foreclosure statute to require judicial foreclosure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael D. Brady (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 2 to GL Chapter 244 requiring the filing of a foreclosure complaint in superior court in order to initiate a foreclosure on 1-6 family owner-occupied properties; requires service to be effected by both posting and mailing if not affected in hand; grants the court the authority to modify the mortgage or grant other appropriate relief. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD313 - An Act encouraging home ownership by establishing a first time home buyers savings account | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Dylan Fernandes (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 5E to GL Chapter 62, establishing a new income tax deduction for amounts deposited into a first-time home buyer savings account; limits the annual deduction amounts to $5,000 for individual returns and $10,000 for joint returns; allows aggregate exemptions up to $50,000 over 15 years; regulates the designation of accounts as first-time home buyer savings accounts by April 15 of the following year, and the determination of qualified beneficiaries; requires use of the funds for eligible costs related to the purchase of a single family home to qualify for the tax deduction; imposes both taxes on deposits and penalties for use of the funds for other purposes; directs the department of revenue to establish forms for both financial institutions and designation of beneficiaries under these accounts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD385 - An Act relative to excessive executive compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jason M. Lewis (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 63, the chapter governing the taxation of corporations, to require financial institutions and publicly held corporations whose compensation ratio exceeds 100 to pay an additional 2% of the corporation's net taxable income; defines compensation ratio. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD422 - An Act relative to a bitcoin strategic reserve | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Peter J. Durant (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 29 (State finance) to add a new section establishing the Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve to be administered by the Treasurer of the commonwealth; authorizes the Treasurer to invest in Bitcoin or digital assets with money that is unexpended, unencumbered or uncommitted and deposited in Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, subject to conditions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD491 - An Act establishing a foreclosure review division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Edward Kennedy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Chapter 212A to the General Laws to establish the foreclosure review division consisting of between 4 and 6 sessions statewide to act as a court with concurrent jurisdiction with other courts over actions involving foreclosure of mortgages on residential property. Further enumerates a list of included actions and allows any party to transfer a civil action to such court, as well as sua sponte by a justice; establishes an advisory board to assist the presiding justices of the foreclosure review division consisting of at least 11 members. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD495 - An Act to establish the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Inserts new Chapter 93M into the General Laws, to be known as the Massachusetts Data Privacy Protection Act — the new chapter would set out a variety of restrictions on the collection, storage, use, or transfer of personal data by businesses or certain other organizations, including by: Establishing a “duty of loyalty,” restricting entities from collecting, processing, or transferring personal data beyond what is reasonably necessary to provide a variety of services; Outlining more extensive protections for particularly sensitive data, including biometric or genetic information, social security numbers, financial information, or private communications; Prohibiting the transfer of said sensitive data without an individual’s consent, except to comply with certain legal obligations; Providing for a right to access, correct, or delete an individual’s personal data held by businesses or other organizations, pending a verified request; Outlining procedures for businesses or other organizations to make disclosures to individuals regarding the intended use of their personal data, and to seek consent; Prohibiting retaliation for exercising any rights relating to management of an individual’s personal data; Restricting the collection, processing, or transferring of data in such a way that discriminates, or creates a disparate impact regarding race, gender, religion, or other protected categories; Requiring businesses or other organizations to make available their data privacy policies, as well as a means of withdrawing consent regarding the processing or transfer of an individual’s data; Setting out enforcement mechanisms, including by authorizing the Attorney General to bring a civil action relating to mismanagement of personal data; and, Providing for the registration and oversight of “data brokers” by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD503 - An Act to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 6:220 (Facial Recognition Searches) to implement the recommendations of the special commission on facial recognition technology. As rewritten the section now provides that it is unlawful — absent express authorization — for a law enforcement agency or officer to acquire, possess, access, use, assist with the use of or provide resources for the development or use of any biometric surveillance technology. No information obtained in violation of this section will be admissible in any criminal, civil, administrative or other proceeding. in addition, it will be unlawful for a law enforcement agency of officer to use a biometric surveillance system to infer a person’s emotions or affect, or to use a biometric surveillance system to analyze moving images or video data. However, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles may acquire, possess, or use facial recognition technology to verify an individual’s identity when issuing licenses, permits or other documents; in addition, the Department of State Police may perform a facial recognition search for four enumerated purposes. These exceptions include: to execute a warrant duly authorized by a judge based on probable cause that an unidentified or unconfirmed individual in an image has committed a felony; upon reasonable belief that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any individual or group of people requires the performance of a facial recognition search without delay; to identify a deceased person; or on behalf of another law enforcement agency or a federal agency All persons charged with a crime who were identified using a facial recognition search must be provided notice thereof; law enforcement agencies and district attorneys must make readily available to defendants and their attorneys in criminal prosecutions all records and information pertaining to any facial recognition searches performed or requested during the course of the investigation. Each non-law enforcement public agency shall document, as a public record, each facial recognition search requested and each facial recognition search performed by its public officials and report this information quarterly to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD518 - An Act relative to the licensure of appraisers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael F. Rush (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 26:8G relative to the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board by expanding its membership and transferring the Board from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Professional Licensure; provides for the Attorney General to appoint two new members, including a member to represent her office, as well as a member unaffiliated with an auto body shop or an insurance company to represent the interests of consumers; additionally, replaces an appointee from the Commissioner of Insurance with an appointee from the Commissioner of the Division of Professional Licensure; prohibits members from serving more than 2 consecutive and complete 3 year terms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD574 - An Act ensuring domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Ryan Fattman (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD664 - An Act relative to transparency in credit card fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Updates provisions on consumer credit cost disclosure as found in GL c.140 (Licenses) by striking the provisions that prohibit a merchant from charging extra for credit card transactions, and replacing it with provisions that require to post a conspicuous sign about any surcharge on their premises. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD710 - An Act relative to price-fixing prohibition and consumer transparency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD735 - An Act protecting bank employees and customers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael F. Rush (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 93:40A (Regulation of trade) to establish that venue for litigation involving dishonored checks can be before the court where either the plaintiff or defendant lives or has a place of business or employment; amends GL 265:17 (Crimes against the person) relative to armed robbery to expand what can qualify as a weapon, including an improvised explosive device or hypodermic needle, and makes robberies committed against a banking institution as serious as an armed robbery; amends provisions of GL 265:19 relative to unarmed robbery by force or violence to establish a minimum term of 30 months, and to make robbery inside a bank or credit union an aggravating offense; amends GL 266:30 (Crimes against property) relative to larceny to establish that if the larceny involved monies received through the uttering of a forged, altered or counterfeit check, draft or order for the payment of money from any bank or other depository, action may be taken before either the court having jurisdiction where the uttering took place or where the payee bank or other depository's main office is located. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD739 - An Act relating to improvements to residential properties | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Lydia M. Edwards (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD744 - An Act relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This bill, consisting of 89 printed pages and 194 sections, essentially comprise the 2022 updates to the Uniform Commercial Code. The sponsoring organizations of the UCC — the Uniform Law Commission and the American Law Institute — adopted significant amendments in 2022 to deal with consensual transactions involving digital assets. Most significantly, the 2022 amendments add a new Article 12, which governs transactions in a subset of digital assets called “controllable electronic records” and they revised Article 9 by clarifying how a secured party perfects a security interest in digital assets and ensures that its security interest has priority. In addition, the Code provides new rules for mixed transactions involving both goods and services, updates the rules for electronic negotiable instruments, updates terminology to account for electronic signatures and documents, and makes many technical and grammatical changes, including adopting gender-neutral language. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD762 - An Act prohibiting card interchange fees on tax or gratuity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD838 - An Act fostering artificial intelligence responsibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Dylan Fernandes (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new (and unnamed) Chapter 149B to the General Laws, regulating employers' use of electronic monitoring and automated decision systems to protect employee privacy and rights. In particular: Employers can only use monitoring tools for legitimate purposes (e.g., job performance, security) and must provide notice, obtain consent, store data securely, and avoid prohibited practices like off-duty surveillance or personal device tracking. Employers must conduct impact assessments to evaluate ADS fairness and potential bias before use. Employees and candidates must be notified at least 10 business days in advance, with rights to reevaluation and complaint filing. Employers must ensure human oversight in employment decisions (e.g., hiring, promotions) and cannot use ADS in ways that violate laws, harm safety, or predict personal traits. Employees are protected from adverse actions if they refuse to follow harmful or illegal AI outputs, exercise independent judgment, or report concerns. Employers cannot penalize employees for seeking rights, filing complaints, or participating in employment-related legal actions. State agencies cannot use ADS for public assistance, civil liberties, or safety-related decisions unless explicitly authorized. Agencies must conduct impact assessments before using ADS, analyzing fairness, bias, cybersecurity, and privacy risks. No state agency may procure or use ADS unless specifically | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD851 - An Act relative to transparency in credit card fees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Joanne Comerford (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Updates provisions on consumer credit cost disclosure as found in GL c.140 (Licenses) by striking the provisions that prohibit a merchant from charging extra for credit card transactions, and replacing it with provisions that require to post a conspicuous sign about any surcharge on their premises. New draft of SB178. The new draft makes grammatical and technical corrections to the previous bill, including the previous erroneous reference to GL c.14D. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD862 - An Act relative to home investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD873 - An Act relative to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael O. Moore (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | This omnibus bill establishes comprehensive cybersecurity regulations and initiatives in Massachusetts, covering training, governance, reporting, and protections. In particular: Requires that ALl state, county, and municipal employees must complete cybersecurity awareness training within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter; Establishes a Cybersecurity Control Board and a Massachusetts Cyber Incident Response Team to oversee cybersecurity policies and responses; Requires covered entities to notify the Commonwealth Fusion Center about cybersecurity incidents with detailed reports; Establishes that such notifications are not public records; Creates an Automated Decision-Making Control Board to regulate AI and algorithm-based systems used by covered entities, ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency; Establishes the Massachusetts Innovation Fund and State Agency Technology Upgrades Account to update state technology, enhance cybersecurity, and improve efficiency; Expands the Civil Defense Act of 1950 to include cybersecurity threats affecting critical infrastructure under the jurisdiction of emergency management agencies; Updates data breach laws to include biometric, genetic, geolocation, and additional personal information; Introduces new requirements, including FBI notification for certain breaches and additional reporting details such as compromised login credentials; Prohibits manufacturing, selling, possessing, or operating weaponized robotic devices (including drones), with penalties ranging from 18 months to 15 years in prison; and Prevents insurance contracts from restricting or penalizing the reporting of cybersecurity incidents to government authorities. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD913 - An Act regulating certain mortgages | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Lydia M. Edwards (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD960 - An Act requiring public pension fund divestment from ammunition and firearms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Adam Gomez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Requires the Pension Reserves Investment Trust or the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board, in their capacity as manager of assets of the state and teachers retirement systems, and local retirement systems under the control of PRIM Board, to identify any direct or indirect holdings related to ammunition, firearm or firearm accessory manufacturing or retailing companies within 30 days; requires the funds to sell, redeem, divest or withdraw the holdings within 12 months; prohibits further investment in such companies; exempts indirect holdings in actively managed funds, but requires PRIT or PRIM Board to request fund managers to remove such holdings from the fund or to establish a similar fund without firearm holdings; exempts funds engaged in divestiture from conflicting statutory and common law; (NOTE: This could refer to fiduciary duty under GL 32:23, 840 CMR 1.02 and other similar laws); allows funds to stop divestment activities if holdings are below certain percentages; indemnifies public fund members, state officers and employees, and contracted fund managers from liability for losses related to divestment; requires submission of an annual report of all investments sold, redeemed, divested or withdrawn, as well as investments still retained, related to gun, firearms and ammunition companies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD968 - An Act relative to preventing fraud and establishing regulations on certain virtual currencies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1068 - An Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new provisions to GL c.184 (General Provisions Relative to Real Property) that generally offer tenant associations the right of first refusal to seek to purchase a building in case the building is sold or being foreclosed upon, applicable to buildings involving more than four units and buildings that are not owner occupied. Certain kinds of units, including a group residence, homeless shelter, lodging house, orphanage, temporary dwelling structure or transitional housing are excluded from the reach of the law. In general, tenant associations may act within 51% approval of the association, and may designate various entities to act on their behalf.¶In particular, a municipality may adopt, at local option, rules and regulations under which the owner of a residential building must notify the municipality and each Tenant household of the owner's intention to sell, after which a tenant association with the minimum tenant participation may select a successor entity to with the intent to purchase the property. The owner must give the selected entity an opportunity to purchase the property within designated time periods.¶The bill also includes provisions intended to prevent short sales for qualifying units, and provisions intended to allow tenant associations to make an offer when a qualifying building is about to be foreclosed. ¶The owner of a building may not take any action to evict, threaten, coerce, or retaliate against one or more tenants in order to avoid application of these provisions; aggrieved tenants, tenant associations, designees, successors, assignees, and municipalities may seek damages under chapter 93A on their own behalf, or seek enforcement through the Attorney General. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1074 - An Act consolidating multiple definitions of employee to prevent misclassification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 149, governing labor, and GL Chapter 151, governing workers' compensation, to reference each other's definitions of 'employee,' such that any worker considered an employee for the purposes of one chapter is also for the purposes of the other chapter. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1075 - An Act relative to neighborhood stabilization and economic development | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Brendan Crighton (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends various provisions related to GL 121A (urban redevelopment corporations), for the purpose of allowing such corporations, insurance companies, banks, or spot blight project sponsors to purchase or lease real estate initially acquired for assembly and redevelopment or urban renewal purposes; defines spot rehabilitation project sponsors as those seeking to rehabilitate spot rehabilitation properties; defines such properties as single family homes, multi-family homes with fewer than 4 units, or mixed-use or commercial properties under 10,000 square feet in the detailed conditions, including 12 months of vacancy, or determinations of distress, deteriorated, unfit for human habitation, in need of major repair or taken or sold for non-payment of taxes; regulates the operation of spot rehabilitation project sponsors. Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a commission charged with improve the quality of the housing stock in weak markets with the goal of making these properties safer, more accessible to residents with disabilities, and more resilient to climate change; details the contents of reports filed by the department of housing and community development regarding reviews of all certified housing development projects. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1122 - An Act supporting seniors’ financial stability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 79 to GL Chapter 10, directing the office of the State Treasurer to periodically review and update model curriculum to support seniors' financial literacy and stability. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1162 - An Act providing upstream homelessness prevention assistance to families, youth, and adults | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Brendan Crighton (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 23B, directing the Department of Housing and Community Development to administer a rental and mortgage arrearage assistance program subject to appropriation; requires eligible households to have incomes at or below 50% of the area median income and to be at risk of eviction or foreclosure within the next 12 months; authorizes eviction or foreclosure risk to be determined by certified statements from the landlord or mortgage holder and the household verifying inability to pay outstanding rent or mortgage payments; requires at least half of the funds for to go to households earning no more than 30% of area median income; limits assistance to a maximum of the lesser of either actual liability or 4 months worth of rent or mortgage payments; directs payment of assistance under this program to be paid directly to the landlord or mortgage holder; instructs the Department tofile an annual report on the program with the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Housing, and the House and Senate Clerks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1175 - An Act requiring financial education in schools | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patrick O'Connor (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1209 - An Act relative to fairness in debt collection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. James B. Eldridge (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Chapter 93L, establishing a comprehensive framework for the collection of consumer debt, known as the Debt Collection Fairness Act; establishes formula ensuring protection of wages in collection efforts; exempts weekly wages that are less than ninety times the federal or state minimum wage from garnishment or attachment; in cases where weekly wages are more than such amount, prohibits collection of more than 10% of the excess under attachment or garnishment; requires prioritization of attachments in the order they are received; exempts attachments under orders for divorce, maintenance or child support from the limitations; prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against employees with garnishment orders; requires consumer debt collection efforts to begin within 4 years; requires use of a shorter statute of limitation for consumer debt collections when available in another jurisdiction; does not allow payments made to extend the statute of limitations; permits repayment agreements which are legally binding; regulates calculation of interest on successful consumer debt collection efforts; prohibits collection of costs and legal fees in excess of 15% of the amount of the debt; defines violations of laws pertaining to collection of consumer debt as unfair business practices; regulates the application of statutes of limitations to debts that accrued before January 1, 2021. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1213 - An Act to establish a Massachusetts public bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. James B. Eldridge (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new GL Chapter 10A, creating the Massachusetts Public Bank; requires the bank to provide a safe depository for a portion of the public funds in the Commonwealth and to support the economic well-being of the Commonwealth, its cities and towns, its residents, its businesses and its state and municipal institutions; defines duties of the bank, including creating access to affordable financing, enabling the commonwealth to obtain benefits from the federal reserve, financing economic activity, strengthening state-chartered banks, supporting public and quasi-public institutions, supporting small and medium size businesses, increasing affordable housing and more; regulates the operations, governance and powers and duties of the bank, including acceptance and use of deposits; guarantees deposits with the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1216 - An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Joanne Comerford (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Establishes that a city or town that has created a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund may impose a fee between .5% and 2% of the purchase price upon the transfer of any real property interest, and may establish different transfer fees for categories of properties, defined by the tax classification and the value of a property; cities and towns subject to the MBTA Communities Law must be in compliance with that law before imposing the fee. The city or town will have the authority to designate whether the transfer fee is to be borne by the purchaser, the seller or how it will be allocated between the two. Exemptions form the transfer fee are to include transfers for the lesser of less than $1,000,000 in communities less than the lesser of $1,000,000 or 100 per cent of the median single family home sales price for that county unless a city or town adopts a higher threshold; transfers made as gifts with consideration less than $100; transfers to the government of the United States, the Commonwealth and any of their instrumentalities; distributions by the trustees of a trust to the beneficiaries of such trust; transfers between family members; transfers to first-time homebuyers; and other enumerated situations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1252 - An Act relative to creating a statutory housing restriction and providing remedies related to statutory housing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Edward Kennedy (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends various sections of General Law to ensure that an affordable housing deed restriction is not affected or removed by any subsequent change to the status of the property, and that the restriction lasts in perpetuity if so established; ensures that affordable deed restrictions acquired through use of municipal funds are permanent; adds provisions for deed restrictions to survive a foreclosure process. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1270 - An Act allowing fair compensation of Massachusetts credit union directors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Pavel Payano (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1320 - An Act establishing a Massachusetts foreclosure prevention program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Adam Gomez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 35D to GL Chapter 244 (Foreclosure) to establish a statewide Foreclosure Prevention Program applicable to 1-4 unit owner-occupied residential properties to require mortgage servicers and homeowners to participate in pre-foreclosure conferences to explore alternatives to foreclosure. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1390 - An Act relative to supported decision-making agreements for certain adults with disabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Joan B. Lovely (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1391 - An Act to allow municipalities to deposit into credit unions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Adam Gomez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Authorizes state (GL Chapter 29) and municipal (GL Chapter 44) officials, agencies, institutions and departments, including school districts, to make deposits in credit unions or federal credit unions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1399 - An Act promoting responsible investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patricia D. Jehlen (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1455 - An Act to provide accountability in the use of biometric recognition technology and comprehensive enforcement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Dylan Fernandes (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1465 - An Act honoring the value of personal property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Peter J. Durant (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1486 - An Act to update certain changes to property tax collection laws | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael D. Brady (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1499 - An Act to prevent unscrupulous medical debt recovery practices | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Mark C. Montigny (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 235 to prohibit hospital or community health center from seeking legal execution against the primary motor vehicle of a patient or legal execution up to the statutory amount against the principal residence of a patient, irrespective of whether a declaration of homestead has been recorded for the property. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1502 - An Act relative to the fiduciary responsibility of lenders for non-payment of insurance premiums from escrowed accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Mark C. Montigny (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 167E:4 (Mortgages and loans - policies), by imposing liability on banks and lenders that require borrowers to escrow their property insurance premiums, and who fail to pay the premiums, for any losses resulting from the insurance lapse; limits the liability to the amount of the lapsed insurance coverage; requires banks to pay insurance premiums and costs related to obtaining a new policy for three years; requires banks to pay any late fees for failure to pay the premiums on time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1508 - An Act relative to the relief of mortgage debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Mark C. Montigny (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 62:3, (taxable income - deductions and exemptions) to add a deduction for the discharge of valid debt on a qualified principal residence and mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure; regulates eligibility for such deduction. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1512 - An Act relative to pensions and the best interest of beneficiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael D. Brady (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1559 - An Act relative to protecting biometric information under the security breach law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Michael Barrett (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 93H:1 to add biometric indicators to the types of personal information governed by the Department of Community Affairs and Business Regulation's regulations to safeguard against security breaches; defines biometric indicator as any unique biological attribute or measurement that can be used to authenticate the identity of an individual, including fingerprints, genetic information, iris or retina patterns, facial characteristics or hand geometry. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1615 - An Act relative to student financial literacy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patrick O'Connor (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 69:1Q (Powers and duties of the department of elementary and secondary education) to require school districts, charter schools, approved private day or residential schools and collaborative schools to incorporate financial literacy standards into existing curriculum including, but not limited to, mathematics, history and social sciences, technology or business; adds new section 98 to GL 71 (Public schools) to require that financial literacy be taught as a required subject; provides that such instruction include (i) loans; (ii) interest and interest accrual; (iii) credit card debt; (iv) online commerce; (v) rights and responsibilities of renting or buying a home; (vi) saving, investing and planning for retirement; (vii) the role of banking and financial services; (viii) balancing a checkbook; (ix) state and federal taxes; (x) charitable giving; (xi) evaluating media content, including online content, that relates to personal finance matters; and (xii) saving, investing and planning for higher education or professional training; allows department to apply for federal, state or other funding, including funding available through the Economic Empowerment Trust Fund to implement the law. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1644 - An Act relative to fair investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Cindy Friedman (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1648 - An Act modernizing protections for consumers in automobile transactions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL Chapter 255B (Lemon Law) to make leases subject to the law; amends GL Chapter 90 (Motor vehicles) to establish that the 7 day period for the consumer to get a newly-purchased vehicle inspected runs from the time of delivery, not sale, and increases the maximum mileage for coverage under the law to 200,000 miles; amends GL 140:58 to allow Attorney General to pursue claims against automobile dealers and increases the bond amounts dealers must post to $50,000. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1650 - An Act to strengthen the state credit union charter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Velis (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends sections of GL 167I (Bank mergers and acquisitions) and GL 171 (Credit unions) to permit 1 or more mutual banks or subsidiary banking institutions and any 1 or more credit unions to merge or consolidate into a single credit union, and also to permit 1 or more credit unions to merge or consolidate with 1 or more savings banks, co-operative banks or subsidiary banking institutions; sets out rules and procedures for such mergers or consolidations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1656 - An Act protecting seniors and adults with disabilities from financial exploitation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Chapter 110I to the General Laws, entitled Financial Exploitation of Seniors and Adults with Disabilities. Under the chapter, “adult protective services agency” is any office, division, department, or unit in the Commonwealth that is charged with the investigation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of elder adults or a disabled person, as defined in GL c.19C; a “qualified individual” means any agent, investment adviser representative, bank employee, or person who serves in a supervisory, compliance, or legal capacity for a financial institution. The Secretary of State is to have supervisory power over the chapter. In particular the new chapter: Mandates that qualified individuals report suspected financial exploitation of eligible adults to the Secretary and relevant adult protective services agencies; Details the necessary information in the report, including the names and addresses of the eligible adult and caretaker, the nature of the injury or condition, and any other pertinent details; Allows qualified individuals to notify designated third parties if financial exploitation is suspected, except when the third party is suspected of exploitation; Permits financial institutions to delay disbursements or transactions when exploitation is suspected, requiring them to notify all authorized parties and conduct internal reviews; the delay authorization expires after a specified period unless extended by court order; Mandates that financial institutions provide relevant records related to financial exploitation to the Secretary, adult protective services, or law enforcement during investigations; Confirms that the Secretary's authority to access and examine financial records of broker-dealers or investment advisers remains intact; Offers immunity to qualified individuals who, in good faith and exercising reasonable care, comply with the chapter's provisions, while clarifying that this immunity doesn't protect individuals involved in financial exploitation; Allows eligible adults or their representatives to file civil claims for damages if financial exploitation occurs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1681 - An Act establishing the Martha’s Vineyard housing bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Julian A. Cyr (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1684 - An Act combating offshore tax avoidance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jason M. Lewis (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 62 and 63 (Income tax) to increase the share of Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) that is subject to state income tax from 5 percent to 50 percent. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1770 - An Act to encourage retirement planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new section in GL c. 10 (Department of the State Treasurer) that establishes and regulates the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program Act, with both a savings fund and an administrative fund. In particular: Requires the savings fund to be administered and controlled by a seven person board; Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of the board; Directs the board to ensure that the program focuses on participation, savings, sound investment practices, ease of use, efficient enrollment and portability; Regulates investment option under the program; Directs the board to evaluate different investment options and hire qualified parties, including investment managers, financial institutions and auditors, to run the program and fund; Requires the Board to distribute information about the program to eligible employers; Requires employers to establish a payroll system for employee contributions and to automatically enroll employees who do not opt out of the program; Regulates employee options for participation; Requires annual audited financial reports by the board; Imposes penalties on employers who fail to enroll employees in the program; and Details administrative requirements for implementation of the program. Please note that this substantive bill is substantially similar to but not identical to HB996. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1784 - An Act relative to growth opportunities for state financial institutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends numerous provisions related to the operation of credit unions in the Commonwealth; authorizes and regulates mergers between credit unions and other state and federal credit unions, foreign credit unions, mutual banks, subsidiary banking institutions, savings banks, co-operative banks under GL 167I:4, GL 171:78A, GL 171:80, GL 171:80A. Subjects credit unions created through merger with other credit unions, mutual banks or subsidiary banking institutions to existing provisions related to their creation, including membership protections, voting requirements, and notice of consolidation vote meetings; authorizes mutual banks to convert to credit unions or federally-chartered credit unions under GL 167I:10; allows boards of directors of credit unions to receive payments on non-share accounts; prohibits non-share accounts from changing a credit union’s cooperative nature; requires the shares to be subordinate to others, to be available to cover losses, at to mature in no less than 5 years. Amends GL 171:67 (investments) by allowing credit unions to invest in corporations involved with real estate acquisition and management, financial activities, and redevelopment capital programs; authorizes credit unions to acquire loans, deposits, shares or liabilities from other credit unions and banking institutions with prior approval of the commissioner of banks; specifies loans, deposits, share or liabilities which credit unions may acquire without prior authorization, including those from student loan or mortgage loan providers, retirement accounts of other credit union members, perfected security interests provided to federal credit union members without prior authorization. Additionally modifies GL 171:80A (conversion of credit union into mutual savings bank, mutual co-operative bank, mutual federal savings bank or mutual federal savings and loans association) by authorizing and regulating the conversion of such entities into a credit union; subjects such newly created credit unions to the duties, relations, obligations and liabilities of the converting mutual bank; preserves the rights of creditors and lien holders; entitles the converted credit union to receive, accept, collect, hold and enjoy all gifts, bequests, devises, conveyances and appointments from the original bank. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1811 - An Act promoting mortgage debt relief | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1846 - An Act relative to credit card surcharges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jake Oliveira (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 140D:28A (Credit card holder discounts) to require sellers offering a discount on any transaction to induce payment by cash, check, debit card or similar means rather than by charge card or credit card to post a notice disclosing such discount on the seller's premises for in-person sales, on website for online sales and verbally for oral and telephonic sales. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1847 - An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jake Oliveira (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 175:4D relative to coverage to be made available to residential owners for release of heating oil by raising from $50,000 to $75,000 the minimum first-party property insurance coverage that insurers must offer for remediation of home heating oil releases; raises from $200,000 to $250,000 the minimum third-party liability coverage for such claims. New draft of Raises from SB648. The new draft makes grammatical and technical corrections to the previous bill. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1878 - An Act alleviating the burden of medical debt for patients and families | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new GL chapter 93M establishing consumer protections for persons with debts incurred for medical services against actions by medical debt collectors; prohibits medical debt collectors from (1) causing an consumer’s arrest; (2) causing an consumer to be subject to a writ of body attachment or capias; (3) foreclosing on an consumer’s real property; imposes requirements on medical debt collectors to provide notice to debtors prior to taking collection actions; exempts certain property of debtors from collection. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1901 - An Act relative to first-time home buyers savings accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Bruce E. Tarr (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1909 - An Act promoting economic development with emerging artificial intelligence models and safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1947 - An Act relative to funding affordable housing and incentivizing zoning reform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Julian A. Cyr (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1951 - An Act relative to funding housing and mitigating investor real estate in seasonal communities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Julian A. Cyr (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD1984 - An Act creating a climate bank in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul W. Mark (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new Section 15 to GL Chapter 23J (Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center) by adding provisions relative to a new Massachusetts Climate Bank. As proposed, the bank would (1) evaluate, coordinate and facilitate innovative financing solutions for climate and clean energy innovations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, in line with achieving the commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions limits and sub-limits pursuant to GL Chapter 21N; (2) provide loans and technical assistance or risk management to qualified climate and clean energy innovations; (3) foster the development and consistent application of transparent underwriting standards, standard contractual terms, and measurement and verification protocols for qualified climate and clean energy innovations; (4) ease the economic effects of transitioning from a carbon-based economy to a clean energy economy; (5) facilitate job creation through the construction and operation of climate and clean energy innovations; (6) facilitate and accelerate the deployment of climate and clean energy innovations and promote climate resilience in disadvantaged and low-income communities; and (7) work to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and carbon emitting fuels throughout the Commonwealth and across all sectors. The bank is to be governed by a board of directors known as the Massachusetts Climate Finance Board, consisting of 11 members; the bank may not invest in or hold common stock or another equity investment in natural gas and utility scale biomass projects; funding for the bank in any single fiscal year is to be available, without the need for further appropriation, in a total amount of not less than $10 million from (1) money generated by all cap and trade pollution control programs; (2) amounts from alternative compliance payments established and administered under 225 CMR 14.00; and (3) other funds that the secretary may provide through fees from enforcement of market-based compliance mechanisms under GL Chapter 21N. By request of the governor, the state treasurer may also issue and sell up to $750,000,000 in bonds within a given fiscal year to capitalize the bank. NOTE: GL 23J:15 already exists; it was created by SES 2022:179:21. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2006 - An Act providing for regulation and reporting requirements for qualifying virtual currency kiosk operators | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Patrick O'Connor (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2050 - An Act relative to motor vehicle debt waivers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jake Oliveira (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2053 - An Act relative to motor vehicle leasing parity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jake Oliveira (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2106 - An Act to promote economic mobility through matched savings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. James B. Eldridge (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new section to GL 23A (Department of Economic Development) that establishes and regulates a Matched Savings Trust Fund, to administered by the Secretary of Housing and Liveable Communities, and a program of matched-savings accounts, which is a contract between an account holder and a fiscal intermediary to increase the economic mobility of eligible participants. Eligible account holders are part of a household which has an income that does not exceed 80% of the median income for the area; fiscal intermediaries are Massachusetts 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with demonstrated effectiveness in matched-savings account management; sets out procedures governing such accounts, including permissible expenditures and ratio of contributions by account holders and fiscal intermediaries. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2111 - An Act establishing a Massachusetts Baby Bonds program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds new Section 79 to GL Chapter 10 establishing a Baby Bonds Trust fund administered by the Treasurer to support beneficiaries in pursuing education, housing, or entrepreneurship; sets out eligibility criteria to include individuals born on or after July 1, 2024, and who received assistance under TAFDC or who have been in the care or custody of DCF within the first year of their life; establishes a Baby Bonds Trust Fund Advisory Board and a Massachusetts Baby Bonds Community Advisory Committee to assist in the management of the program; allows beneficiaries to claim their distribution from the fund after turning 18, provided that said distribution will be applied towards an eligible expenditure. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2142 - An Act relative to private flood insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Julian A. Cyr (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2144 - An Act fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Joanne Comerford (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2154 - An Act to promote public procurement and inclusive entrepreneurship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2169 - An Act relative to neighborhood stabilization and economic development | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. John Cronin (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2170 - An Act to provide transparency in third party litigation financing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Nicholas P. Collins (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2204 - An Act to protect personal biometric data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Mark C. Montigny (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2210 - An Act establishing a commission to study reparations in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Liz Miranda (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2240 - An Act regulating internet gaming | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2242 - An Act relative to housing in seasonal communities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Julian A. Cyr (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2272 - An Act ending large investor control of homes in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2291 - An Act to require public disclosures by publicly-traded corporate taxpayers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Liz Miranda (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2301 - Resolve establishing a special commission on blockchain and cryptocurrency technology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2314 - An Act to facilitate alternatives to foreclosure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Adam Gomez (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2336 - An Act protecting titles to real estate in Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul W. Mark (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2355 - An Act advancing the economic development of the commonwealth through comprehensive data privacy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2360 - An Act establishing privacy standards for student and educator data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2397 - An Act to establish the Massachusetts loan loss guarantee program for community development financial institutions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Jake Oliveira (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2398 - An Act establishing regulations on certain virtual currencies for fraud prevention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2422 - An Act allowing for fiscal resilience through strategic investment in stable digital financial assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2427 - An Act relative to unlawful practices in the servicing and foreclosure of a subordinate mortgage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. William Driscoll (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2430 - An Act providing for consumer protection in a digital economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Requires the Office of the State Treasurer to develop and periodically update a digital module on cryptocurrencies and digital assets, in order to support Massachusetts residents with overseeing their finances, understanding money management strategies, and protecting their security. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2440 - An Act establishing the interagency financial scams task force | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2447 - An Act establishing the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Decanting Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Submits the Uniform Trust Decanting Act for enactment in the commonwealth; the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, authored by the Uniform Law Commission, has been adopted in 8 states as of 9/5/19, and is under consideration in Massachusetts; the uniform law provides methods for reforming and modernizing an existing irrevocable trust; decanting is used to distribute assets from one trust to another, and allows greater flexibility to address unforeseen circumstances; the UTDA allows a trustee to modify irrevocable trusts within reasonable limits that are consistent with the settlors original intent; prohibits any decanting that defeat charitable or tax-related goals of the settlor; additionally modifies the Massachusetts uniform probate code (GL Chapter 203E) to harmonize definitions found in the UTDA; provides for implementation of the UTDA effective January 1, 2020. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2458 - An Act allowing for the deduction of business interest | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Bruce E. Tarr (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends various provisions related to the application of the Internal Revenue Code to the Massachusetts income tax code (GL Chapter 62); requires application of the Internal Revenue Code as amended and in effect for the taxable year, instead of the 2005 Internal Revenue Code, for the listed sections, including those pertaining to ABLE accounts for the benefit of disabled children, Coverdell education savings accounts, and taxation of income related to income earned through foreign controlled corporations; prohibits application of IRC section 163(j) limiting deduction of business interest to Massachusetts tax law. Further amends application of the IRC to the Massachusetts corporate income tax laws (GL Chapter 63), by requiring application of the IRC as amended an in effect for tax years beginning before January 1, 2018 for provisions related to limiting deduction of business interest, limitations on carryovers in corporate acquisitions and limitations on net operating loss carryforwards. Implements changes in tax treatment for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2477 - An Act to modernize financial aid access | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul W. Mark (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2490 - An Act achieving a green future with infrastructure and workforce investments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. William Driscoll (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends GL 21N:7 (Market-place compliance mechanisms) to require the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to impose a market-based compliance mechanism on the electricity, transportation, heating and industrial sectors for the purpose of meeting the Commonwealth’s greenhouse emissions targets; provides for revenues from the market-based compliance mechanism to be deposited into a variety of new funds to finance the Commonwealth’s response to climate change. Adds a new Section 13A to GL Chapter 25A establishing a Green infrastructure Fund to support investments in transit, housing, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and research in order to reduce emissions; adds new Section 13B to GL Chapter 25A establishing a 9-member Green Workforce Commission and corresponding Next Generation Green Workforce Fund to ensure that displaced workers have access to training and employment opportunities in green technology; adds new Section 13C to GL Chapter 25A providing for 50% of market-based compliance mechanism revenues to be distributed to low income residents of the Commonwealth as a dividend; creates a new GL Chapter 25D allowing municipalities to establish local or regional Climate Crisis Councils with corresponding Climate Crisis Funds to support local green investments as defined by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2518 - An Act establishing uniform enforcement and confidentiality provisions relative to certain licensees under the jurisdiction of the division of banks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2519 - An Act relative to mortgage review boards and a small business loan review board within the Division of Banks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Amends provisions with respect to both the regional Mortgage Review Boards and the Small Business Loan Review Boards, as found in GL 167:14A and 167:14C. In particular, with respect to the Mortgage Review Boards: The four Mortgage Review Boards are reduced to two; The requirements for who gets to sit on the Boards are amended; Strikes the limitation that no member gets to sit for more then 3 two-year terms; Adds a definition of “residential mortgage loan denial.” With respect to the Small Business Loan Review Boards: The four regional Small Business Loan Review Boards are consolidated into one Board; The requirements for who gets to sit on the Board are amended; Strikes the limitation that no member gets to sit for more then 3 two-year terms; Adds a definition of “small business loan.” In addition, the bill makes a number of grammatical corrections to both sections. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2520 - An Act establishing the Comprehensive Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. William Driscoll (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | Adds a new chapter 93M to the General Laws, entitled Massachusetts Consumer Privacy Act. Under this omnibus legislation, consumers are granted rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data processing activities, including targeted advertising and data sales. In particular: Consumers may appoint authorized agents for opt-out requests. Controllers or holder of data must limit data collection, obtain consent for sensitive data processing, and ensure security and non-discrimination. Special protections apply to minors, restricting data collection, sales, and targeted advertising. Processors of data must follow controllers' instructions and adhere to legal obligations. Data protection assessments are required for high-risk processing activities. Controllers handling de-identified and pseudonymous data must prevent re-identification. Enforcement is exclusive to the Attorney General, with violations classified as unfair trade practices under 93A. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2565 - An Act relative to certificate of deposit interest income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Ryan Fattman (R) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2601 - An Act reforming campaign finance laws | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Barry Finegold (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SD2608 - An Act promoting financial literacy, wealth-building, and economic opportunity for all | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sponsor: | Sen. Paul Feeney (D) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary: | No summary available yet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||