This bill creates "blue envelopes" to improve police interactions with people with autism spectrum disorder. The envelopes, designed with input from police and autism advocates, contain written communication guidance for officers and instructions for attaching them to vehicle sun visors. Upon request, the Registry of Motor Vehicles will provide these envelopes to individuals with autism or their guardians, who can store licenses and insurance inside. The program takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill redefines "prostituted person" to specifically include individuals who are trafficking victims or engaged in sex work due to coercion (e.g., for food, shelter, or as minors). It allows courts to erase criminal records for qualifying offenses like "common streetwalking" or violations of sections 53A/8 of Chapter 272 if a victim affidavit proves trafficking involvement, and requires automatic expungement upon record vacatur. Funds from fines related to these offenses must now go to the Victims of Human Trafficking Trust Fund. A 21-member commission will also review policies to address prostitution in Massachusetts.
This bill (SD 243) creates a 25-foot safety zone around law enforcement officers while they are performing official duties. It prohibits anyone from approaching closer after an officer has verbally ordered them to stop or retreat. Violations carry fines up to $500 or up to one year in jail, classified as a breach of the peace. The law applies to all officers defined under Massachusetts law (MGL Chapter 6E) and directly affects individuals who approach officers in this manner.
This bill protects individuals and organizations that provide or use fentanyl test strips in good faith. It adds legal immunity from criminal, civil, or professional penalties for using these strips to test substances for fentanyl or its analogues. The law explicitly states this protection applies unless the user acted with gross negligence, willful misconduct, or wanton misconduct. The bill directly affects harm reduction programs, healthcare providers, and community groups distributing test strips.
This bill creates a 12-member task force to review Massachusetts laws on domestic violence and sexual assault reports and confidentiality. The task force includes officials from law enforcement, victim services, and survivors' advocates, plus appointed members from legislative leaders. It will assess current laws (including Chapter 41, Section 97D), identify gaps, and develop recommendations to protect survivors' confidentiality without shielding perpetrators. The task force must submit its final report to the legislature within 18 months of the bill's effective date. This is a procedural bill establishing a review process, not a direct policy change.
This bill (HD 370) requires courts to order defendants convicted of vehicular homicide while intoxicated - resulting in a parent's death - to pay monthly restitution to the victim's surviving children. The payments cover support until the child turns 18 or graduates high school (whichever is later), with an extension to age 22 for those pursuing higher education. Courts determine the payment amount based on the child's needs, the defendant's financial ability, and other factors like the child's living situation and educational requirements. The restitution must be paid to the surviving parent or guardian, and defendants unable to pay while incarcerated must begin payments within one year of release.
This bill (SD 708) increases penalties for identity theft offenses under Massachusetts law. It raises the maximum fine for identity theft convictions from $5,000 to $10,000 and changes the penalty multiplier from "two and one-half" to "ten" for certain violations. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of identity theft by increasing their potential financial penalties. These changes are purely procedural updates to existing criminal penalties in Chapter 266, Section 37E. The bill does not create new offenses or alter other aspects of identity theft law.
SD 94 creates new legal protections for victims of abuse in family or household disputes by defining and addressing "controlling and abusive litigation." It allows courts to issue restraining orders against parties who file lawsuits primarily to harass, intimidate, or maintain contact with an abuse victim - after verifying the parties' relationship and prior abuse findings. If found guilty, the court can dismiss the case with prejudice, award the victim court costs and attorney fees, and impose 48-72 months of prefiling restrictions on the offending party. This bill directly affects individuals in domestic disputes where lawsuits are weaponized as tools of abuse, not the broader public.
HD 3895, titled the "No Harm No Foul Act," amends Massachusetts law to allow courts to dismiss simple psilocybin possession charges under specific conditions. It directly affects adults aged 21 or older caught with small amounts of psilocybin (not for distribution) who were not driving and did not endanger children or cause visible harm to others. The key provision requires a court to dismiss the case if it finds all three conditions met: defendant over 21, not operating a vehicle, and no harm to health/safety. This changes how minor psilocybin possession offenses are handled, shifting from prosecution to dismissal when these criteria are satisfied. The bill does not decriminalize psilocybin but creates a specific pathway for case dismissal in limited circumstances.
HD 288 creates new leave protections for contract workers (e.g., staffing agency employees) who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or kidnapping. It allows up to 15 days of unpaid leave per year for purposes like seeking medical care, legal help, court appearances, or securing housing related to the abuse. Employers must permit this leave but can decide if it’s paid, require documentation (such as a protective order or sworn statement from a professional), and must keep all related information confidential. The bill specifically excludes regular employees (covered under existing law) and requires contract workers to use other available leave first before taking this leave.
