Sen. Lydia Edwards

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow residents and communities to pay up to 25 percent of the amount needed to redeem property from tax title, rather than requiring the full 25 percent minimum payment. The change applies specifically to Section 62A of Chapter 60, which governs tax redemption processes. By modifying the language to say "up to" instead of a fixed requirement, the legislation provides flexibility for those seeking to resolve tax delinquencies on their parcels.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Governor of Massachusetts to issue an annual proclamation designating February 4th as Rosa Parks Day. The measure requires the state to recognize this date as a tribute to the historic civil rights leader and encourages the public to observe the day appropriately. By amending state law, the legislation establishes a formal, yearly acknowledgment of Parks' legacy without mandating specific activities or changes to existing holidays.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to raise their local tax rate on meals from the current limit to a maximum of 1.5 percent. By amending state law, the measure gives local municipalities the authority to collect higher taxes on food and beverage sales within their jurisdictions. The change directly affects local governments that wish to adjust revenue collection and consumers who may see higher prices at restaurants.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill creates a new state system to track and report medical debt data in order to make the issue more transparent. It requires healthcare providers to use a uniform electronic reporting system before they can send overdue bills to debt collection agencies. The system will collect detailed information about who carries medical debt, including data on race, income, disability status, and insurance coverage, to help identify patterns and disparities. Additionally, the bill updates credit reporting laws to allow medical debt to be included in consumer credit reports, with specific exceptions for large loans and life insurance underwriting. By centralizing this data, the legislation aims to help the state better understand and address the impact of medical debt on different populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Fair Housing within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing to coordinate state efforts against housing discrimination and segregation. The office will be led by a director appointed by the Secretary of Housing and will work across various state agencies to address barriers related to transportation, employment, healthcare, and other factors affecting housing access. A key provision establishes a Fair Housing Trust Fund to provide financial assistance for projects that eliminate discrimination and promote inclusive communities. Additionally, the office is required to evaluate program effectiveness and publish an annual report detailing progress and fund outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits advertisers from using youth-targeted marketing to promote skin-lightening and hair-relaxing products that contain specific toxic chemicals. It directly affects companies selling these beauty products and the young people who are the intended audience for such advertisements. The law defines "youth-targeted advertisement" as any promotion based on collected data about a person's personal or product use history. By banning these specific marketing practices, the legislation aims to reduce exposure to harmful substances among Black girls who are frequently targeted by these campaigns.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect employees from being disciplined or fired for exercising their First Amendment rights regarding political or religious speech, provided their actions do not significantly interfere with their job performance. It specifically prohibits employers from forcing employees to attend meetings or listen to communications where the main goal is to convey the employer's views on political or religious issues. The law allows for exceptions in cases where communication is legally required, necessary for job duties, part of academic coursework, or involves casual conversations, and it does not apply to religious organizations exempt from certain civil rights laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education law to ensure every K-12 school has access to mental health professionals, such as counselors, psychologists, and social workers. It mandates a staffing ratio of at least one professional per 250 students, with a minimum of one at each elementary and secondary school across the state. These professionals are authorized to provide direct mental health services, offer social and emotional skill building, assist families with public benefits, and address issues like food insecurity and homelessness. The legislation also requires these staff members to train faculty and administrators while coordinating with community resources to support student well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve voting access and election infrastructure in Massachusetts by allowing voters to easily choose permanent mail-in voting when they register. It requires election officials to send multilingual notices to new registrants explaining their options, including how to become a permanent mail voter. The legislation also updates the names of local governing bodies in election laws and mandates that colleges and universities have at least one polling place within a mile of their campus. Additionally, it clarifies the dates for state and presidential primaries and allows towns to hold local elections on the same day as a presidential primary if they use a separate ballot.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill expands state-mandated health insurance coverage to explicitly include mental health services for individuals after pregnancy, miscarriage, or adoption. The legislation requires that these mental health benefits be provided without any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance, ensuring they are fully covered alongside existing postpartum care. By amending multiple sections of state health laws, the act ensures that these protections apply to all covered spouses and dependents across various insurance plans and Medicaid programs. The changes are designed to remove financial barriers and administrative delays, taking effect six months after the bill is passed.