THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, December 24, 2025 Page 15 BHRC | FROM PAGE 9 ple, to influence the outcome of articles that appear on Town Meeting warrants. The person or group would be required to file disclosure forms and failure to comply would be punishable by a 1-year prison sentence and/ or a $1,000 fine. Supporters said that the bill will close a loophole that allows unlimited amounts of unreported funds by outside individuals and groups to influence and sway the town’s decision. They noted the flow of dark drowns out the vote of the local voters. The four co-sponsors of the legislation, Reps. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord), Tom Moakley (D-Falmouth) and Sens. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth) and Julian Cyr (D-Truro), submitted joint testimony in a letter to the Election Laws Committee which heard testimony on the measure in October. The letter said, “Our proposal is consistent with existing Massachusetts campaign finance law, which requires full disclosure of contributions and expenditures for candidates, political committees and ballot question campaigns. By extending disclosure requirements to individuals and entities aiming to influence town warrant articles, this bill would bring local governance practices in line with these established democratic norms for state-level elections, closing a loophole in Massachusetts election laws.” The letter continued, “There is motivation for entities to use the existing loophole. Major policy decisions are made at a town meeting level. Many warrant articles concern areas where corporate and special interest groups have a direct financial stake, such as zoning laws, housing developments, telecommunication rules and environmental regulations. Without mandated transparency, these groups can present their well-funded campaigns as grassroots efforts.” REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS (H 836) – The House gave initial approval to a measure that would establish uniform polling hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for elections in which regional school districts ask voters to incur debt. Supporters said that under current law, regional school district committees have discretion to set polling hours anywhere between four and eight consecutive hours, which can result in reduced voter access compared to standard municipal and state elections. They noted that this inconsistency was evident during a recent special election for the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School’s $317 million new building project where polls were open only from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.—providing just seven hours of voting time compared to the standard 13-hour window used in most municipal and state elections. “This bill simply makes voting easier and fairer by setting uniform polling hours … when regional school districts ask voters to incur debt for major projects, such as renovations or new buildings, ensuring every voter has the same opportunity to participate, no matter where they live,” said sponsor Rep. Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn). “This extended 13-hour polling window is designed to accommodate voters with diverse work schedules, family obligations and other commitments, ensuring all residents have a fair and equal opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their regional schools.” ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH (H 3288) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would designate the month of October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. “Massachusetts shelters take in more than 20,000 animals each year, and despite our high save rate, they continue to struggle with staffing shortages, rising intakes and limited community resources,” said sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy). “Establishing October as ‘Adopt a Shelter Dog Month’ will give us a statewide platform to promote adoption, support our shelters and ensure more dogs have a real chance at finding a permanent home.” SAFEGUARD SHORT TERM RENTALS (S 2736) The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee held a hearing on a bill, known as the “Maggie Hubbard Rental Safety Act, that would require that all short-term rentals in Massachusetts be inspected for working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors within one year prior to rental. It also mandates that rental platforms and agents verify this certification before listing a property, ensuring consistent, statewide fire safety protections for renters. “Shannon Hubbard and her one-year-old daughter Maggie were tragically killed in a shortterm rental that lacked working smoke and carbon monoxide detector,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “It was an entirely preventable and unacceptable loss ... By requiring annual safety inspections and ensuring that rental platforms verify compliance before listing a unit, the bill puts in place the basic, common-sense protections every renter deserves and strengthens public safety in communities across Massachusetts." Rep. Hadley Luddy (D-Orleans), a co-sponsor of the proposal, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call, asking her why she co-sponsored the bill. PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION BASED ON HEIGHT AND WEIGHT (H 1919) – The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would add height and weight to Massachusetts’ existing anti-discrimination laws, by prohibiting discrimination, based on height and weight, in employment, education, housing and places of public accommodation. The measure would require the Attorney General’s Office to investigate complaints unless the action in question is based on the purpose of compliance with any established state, federal or industry safety standards. It would also prohibit places of public accommodation, resort or amusement from issuing or circulating any policies or communications that signal discriminatory treatment based on body size, aligning this protection with how Massachusetts approaches other forms of discrimination. “No one should lose out on a job, education or basic dignity because of their height or weight,” said sponsor Rep. Tram Nguyen (D-Andover). “Particularly, we know that the effects of weight-based discrimination do not fall evenly. Communities facing intersecting barriers, such as limited access to affordable, nutritious foods or other systemic inequities, are often hit hardest. This legislation expands nondiscrimination protection to ensure that every person in Massachusetts is treated with fairness, dignity and respect.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “This funding marks a major milestone for communities around our commonwealth that have waited far too long for meaningful investment. When I proposed the Environmental Justice Fund … I did so with the conviction that every neighborhood deserves clean air, safe water and a healthy environment. These funds, which we procured by holding polluters accountable, will help repair historic harms and ensure that these resources flow directly to the communities most in need of our support.” ---Attorney General Andrea Campbell announcing the awarding of $475,000 in grants to support community-based projects that address environmental harms in disadvantaged communities. “President Trump’s executive order preempting state-level AI regulation is nothing less than a giveaway to the trillion-dollar Big Tech companies and ultra-wealthy CEOs that funded his campaign. One of the most basic functions of government is the power to protect its people. By taking away our power to place reasonable guardrails around the development and use of artificial intelligence, the president is neutering our ability to defend Bay Staters against the worst drawbacks of this technology, including AI-generated deepfakes, predatory algoBHRC| SEE PAGE 19 ~ HELP WANTED ~ Type of Person Needed: * Are you an experienced/willing to learn, motivated person looking for a shop where your skills can be valued? A local company with a fleet shop is a busy, family-owned business dedicated to providing high-quality transportation services and public State inspection services. We are seeking a talented Automotive Technician or mechanical knowledge to join our close-knit crew. If you are dependable and proficient in automotive technical work with a passion for excellent customer service, we want to talk to you. Location: Malden, MA Job Description: * Be able to acquire and maintain a certification for the State Inspection License. Perform light duty mechanical preventive duties, including Fleet preventive maintenance. * State Inspection Services * Miscellaneous shop duties Requirements: * Valid driver’s license with good driving history * Possess or pass the required State Inspector License Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM * Rate will be based on experience Contact: Ed Hyde or David Morovitz Call: 781-322-9401 Email: ehyde@maldentrans.com Website: www.maldentrans.com
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