Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 20, 2026 Sen. DiDomenico and colleagues act to strengthen consumer protections O n February 12, 2026, Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate took action to give everyone a fair shot at access to housing, and they expanded the state’s car buyer protection law for people who buy new and used vehicles. The two bills they acted upon, S.2947 and S.2945, were passed unanimously, demonstrating the urgent need for these commonsense policies. On February 17, the Massachusetts House referred both bills to its committee on Ways and Means. “I am proud to work alongside my colleagues to strengthen consumer protections so we can provide our residents extra peace of mind when finding a new home or purchasing a car,” said Senator DiDomenico. “Housing and transportation are essential needs for consumers across our state, and these bills will go a long way towards eliminating discrimination from the housing industry and significantly reducing financial risks during the car buying process.” Car buyer protections Lengthening the Commonwealth’s Lemon Law timeline, under S.2925 customers who purchase a new or used vehicle would have seven days after receiving delivery of the auto to void the sale if the vehicle fails to pass inspection. The bill would also boost the maximum mileage for used vehicle warranties by 50,000 miles — Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net up to 175,000 miles — protecting drivers who buy older and more affordable cars. Guarding consumers from the effects of fraud, the legislation doubles — up to $50,000 — the surety bond that used car dealers are required to post to receive their license. The bond is held for the benefit of any buyers who experience fraud. S.2945, An Act modernizing protections for consumers in automobile transactions, also supports people who choose to lease their car by giving lessees a 21-day grace period to catch up on their payments before their car is repossessed. Housing protections Illegal discrimination continues to hamper many homehousing training for all real estate agents and strengthening state enforcement of fair housing law. In a 2020 study by The Boston Sal DiDomenico State Senator buyers’ and renters’ ability to find a home. One of the bills DiDomenico and his colleagues passed — S.2947, An Act regarding fair housing practices in the Commonwealth — takes aim at discrimination in the housing market by mandating fair Foundation and Suffolk University, researchers found that 71 percent of Black participants faced housing discrimination and were 30 percent more likely to be “ghosted” by real estate agents. The same study found that renters of all backgrounds with housing vouchers were likely to be prevented from even seeing apartments. The legislation would toughen penalties for second-offense fair housing law violations, increasing a current 90-day license suspension to 180 days. DIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 5 Melrose Public Library to host Legislative Breakfast on behalf of Libraries M elrose, MA - Melrose Public Library will be hosting a Legislative Breakfast in conjunction with the North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) Advocacy Committee and Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) Legislative Committee on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. State and local politicians are all invited to the breakfast to speak and listen to testimonies made by members of the community about how important libraries are in supporting communities. Lawmakers will have the opportunity to directly have conversations with constituents to further understand how libraries continue to be at the heart of their communities. The breakfast also seeks to educate lawmakers about the MBLC Legislative Agenda (https://www.mblclegislativeagenda.com/) which includes funding for collections and staff, improving technology, eBook access, funding literacy programming for immigrant families, and ensuring access to library resources. The breakfast will be held before the library opens to the public from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 in the Program Room at Melrose Public Library, located at 69 West Emerson Street, Melrose. Doors open at 8 a.m. for refreshments and the opportunity for legislators and constituents to connect. A brief program begins at 8:30 a.m., concluding at 9 a.m., allowing for additional conversations. The NOBLE Advocacy Committee works to advocate for libraries and to empower libraries to advocate to ensure access, services and resources to their communities. The MLA Legislative Committee works with legislators and advocates to create a stronger future for libraries as they make their communities stronger.
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