Senate, Janaury 29, 2026 -- The committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1077) of Peter J. Durant and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to maintain parity in legal services for small property owners by providing financial assistance to both local and statewide programs that serve eligible clients; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1113) of Timothy Morris, for legislation to remove criminal penalties for limited psilocybin possession; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1137) of John F. Keenan for legislation to prevent fires and secondhand smoke in non-smoking rental housing; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1140) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to establish a foreclosure review division; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1142) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to restore a lower threshold for permit challenges in court decisions; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1149) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to prejudgment interest rates; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1175) of Paul W. Mark for legislation to prohibit injurious operations or offering services or products that discriminate against or injure protected classes; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1176) of Paul W. Mark and Michael O. Moore for legislation to remove the 3-day commitment period to a facility for a person with a mental illness; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2446) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to promote motor vehicle safety and habitual offenders, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2930).
Senate, January 29, 2026 -- Text of the Senate amendment to the House Bill relative to teacher preparation and student literacy (House, No. 4683) (being the text of Senate, No. 2924, printed as amended)
This resolution directs the Municipalities and Regional Government committee to study 17 related bills (H2254, H2261, etc.) concerning local government powers, building permits, and zoning rules. The committee must report its findings and proposed legislation by December 31, 2026, to the General Court. It is a procedural step for future lawmaking, not a policy change itself.
HD 5531 is a procedural bill requiring the Division of Banks to submit its annual report on the Small Business Loan Review Boards for fiscal year 2025 to the legislature. This report, mandated by Section 14C of Chapter 167 of the General Laws, details the activities and outcomes of boards that oversee small business loan programs. The bill does not create new laws or alter existing policies but ensures transparency by formally transmitting the required annual update. It was placed on file on January 29, 2026, indicating routine administrative processing without further legislative action.
HD 5530 is a procedural bill submitting the annual report of the Childhood Trauma Task Force (CTTF) for 2025, titled "Building a Trauma-Informed and Responsive Workforce." It does not create new policy or affect specific groups; it simply requires the Office of the Child Advocate to submit this report as mandated by law. The bill itself contains no legislative provisions or mechanisms - it is solely a formal submission of the CTTF's annual report. The report's content focuses on trauma-informed workforce development, but the bill itself only facilitates this reporting requirement.
This bill requires law enforcement to notify victims when harassment prevention orders (for stalking or harassment) are served, not served, or expire. It directly affects victims of stalking who have these court orders by ensuring they receive timely updates about the order's status. Key provisions mandate that police inform victims within 12 hours if an order isn't served, then every 24 hours until service is complete, and also notify them if the order expires. The law applies to both temporary and permanent orders under Chapters 209A and 258E of Massachusetts law.
This is not a legislative bill but a procedural communication from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). It reports that no funds were spent from or received by the Long-Term Care Workforce and Capital Fund in Fiscal Year 2025, as required by Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024. The communication states EOHHS will not submit further reports on this fund unless it is later capitalized (funded). The document serves as a routine administrative update to legislative committees, with no new policy changes or direct impacts on affected parties.
Report of the Special Commission on Extended Producer Responsibility Policies (Section 108 of Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its report on recommendations on extended producer responsibility policies for the commonwealth
Senate, January 29, 2026 -- Text of the further Senate amendment (Senator Keenan) to the Senate Bill amending the charter of the town of Rockland (Senate, No. 2716).
By Representative Zlotnik of Gardner, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jonathan D. Zlotnik relative to chemical recycling. Environment and Natural Resources.
HD 5532 is a procedural communication submitting the December 23, 2025 biweekly report on Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program. It requires the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and the Executive Office for Housing and Livable Communities to formally deliver this report. The bill itself does not create new policy or affect any specific group - it simply transmits existing program data, including applicant statistics like 68 people applying for shelter due to fire, flood, or habitability issues. As a routine reporting submission, it has no substantive policy impact.
Report of the Plymouth District Attorney (pursuant to Section 47(d) of Chapter 94C of the General Laws) submitting its 2025 report relative to the use of monies in the law enforcement trust fund for the purposes of drug rehabilitation, drug education, and other anti-drug or neighborhood crime watch programs
