Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 25, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 16 ing children, stabilizing families and ensuring that survivors of domestic violence are not forced to relitigate custody across state lines. Without this law, a custody order from a Massachusetts judge can be cast aside after a parent moves to a new state. That’s unacceptable, and this legislation will finally fix it.” The legislation was approved by the Senate in the 2023-2024 session but died in the House Ways and Means Committee and never reached the House floor for debate and a vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DON’T MISS THIS FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE BAY STATE - Federal policy shifts are testing protec- LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Middlesex Probate and Family Court 10-U Commerce Way Woburn, MA 01801 (781) 865-4000 Docket No. MI25P3551EA Estate of: JOSEPH LoRUSSO Also known as: JOSEPH A. LoRUSSO Date of Death: 01/15/2025 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by: John A. LoRusso, Jr. of Dracut, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: John A. LoRusso, Jr. of Dracut, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 08/12/2025. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Terri L. Klug Cafazzo, First Justice of this Court. Date: July 15, 2025 TARA E. DeCRISTOFARO REGISTER OF PROBATE July 25, 2025 tions for immigrants, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and others—even in states like Massachusetts. As fundamental rights face new threats, what can be done at all levels of government to safeguard vulnerable communities? Join advocates, experts and leaders for a timely forum on the future of civil rights in Massachusetts hosted by MASSterList and the State House News Service on July 28 at the MCLE Conference Center in Boston. Doors open for networking and refreshments at 8 a.m. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Register at: https:// events.humanitix.com/civilrights-ma TAX ON ENCLOSED SHOPPING MALLS WITH SUBSTANTIAL AND PERSISTENT VACANCIES (H 3240) – The Revenue Committee held a hearing on legislation that would allow cities and towns to implement a local option tax on owners of enclosed shopping malls that have less than 67 percent occupancy in their retail spaces for a continuous period of at least nine months and fails to convert a proportion of its property to other specified uses, to be determined by the city or town, for lease or sale. The measure also allows the city or town to determine the amount of any new tax. “This legislation grants municipalities the freedom to use tax incentives to push commercial landlords toward reinvestment and renewal of their rental properties by finding new tenants or converting to other uses the municipality deems desirable, such as housing, civic spaces or mixed-use developments based on their community’s needs and planning objectives,” said sponsor Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough). “This bill would provide another tool to our cities and towns to address excessively vacant properties that otherwise would continue to go unused and therefore lead to non-maintenance and deterioration.” S ca n l on c o n t i n ue d , “Throughout Massachusetts, numerous traditional shopping malls are facing prolonged decline due to various consumer and economic trends. Vacant stores and underused commercial properties lead to decreased property values in the vicinity, strain municipal services and diminish once-bustling centers of local economic activity. When mall owners permit these vacancies to continue without reinvestment or redevelopment efforts, the surrounding communities suffer through lost tax revenue and neighborhood stagnation.” PROHIBIT AGE DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (H 662) – A bill heard by the Education Committee would prohibit any person admitted to any public school from being discriminated against, based on age, in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study in that school. “[My bill] would help strengthen the Massachusetts School system,” said sponsor Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield). “This bill would allow students to be placed at the grade level that matches their ability to learn and not by artificial age requirements. By allowing students to meet their full potential, it would keep children from being bored and remain engaged in the learning process.” JUNIOR OPERATOR’S LICENSE (JOL) FUND (S 2415) A bill that would establish a JOL Fund to provide financial assistance to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford to pay for driver education courses was heard by the Transportation Committee. The fund, which would be managed by the Registry of Motor vehicles, would be supported financially through various sources, including grants and public and private gifts. Eligibility for assistance will be based on participation in programs such as free or reduced lunch, MassHealth, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition Program (RAFT). The measure also would also allow junior operators to travel with passengers under 18 after 90 days – replacing current law which allows it after six months. “The cost of driver’s education programs in Massachusetts is high, which can disenfranchise low- to moderate-income families who may need a licensed teenager in the home to transport family members, and teenagers themselves who may require a license to get to and from work, school or activities,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). DRINK SPIKING (S 293) – The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a proposal that would require establishments that serve alcohol to be consumed on the premises to, upon request, provide a lid with a customer’s drink. The measure also requires the establishment to post a notice, in a prominent and conspicuous location, informing patrons that lids are available. “Drink spiking continues to be an alarming risk for people going out, especially as drugs are increasingly easy to administer undetected and many victims are often unable to remember what happened to them until hours later, if at all,” said sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “It is imperative that we do all we can to prevent these terrible incidents and ensure that establishments are providing drink covers and making patrons aware is an important step in the right direction.” SUSPEND LICENSES OF RENTAL BROKERS WHO DISCRIMINATE (S 245) – Another bill heard by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure would streamline the process of suspending the license of a rental broker determined by Mass Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers to have engaged in discriminatory rental practices. The measure also would mandate fair housing training for real estate brokers and salespeople. “Housing discrimination remains a painful reality in Massachusetts, particularly for Black renters and families who rely on housing vouchers,” said sponsor Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield). “Despite existing laws, the protections we’ve promised too often fall short in practice. [This bill] is about changing that. This legislation creates real accountabilBEACON | SEE PAGE 19
19 Publizr Home