This bill (HD 2417) creates a legal process for people who receive a written notice stating they are no longer welcome on property and would face criminal trespass if they enter. It allows them to file a complaint in district court to cancel the notice if the person who issued it abused their authority over the property. If the court agrees, it will cancel the notice, and the person can use this as a legal defense against any trespass charges. The bill directly affects property owners, tenants, or visitors who receive such disinvitation notices, providing a court-based remedy instead of automatic trespass penalties.
HD 3317, titled "An Act relative to eliminating liability limits for abuse of a minor," amends Massachusetts law to remove financial damage caps in civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse of minors. The bill specifically targets claims defined under Section 4C of Chapter 260 (sexual abuse of a minor) by adding that such cases "shall not be subject to a limitation on damages." This change directly affects victims of minor sexual abuse and their legal representatives in civil court, ensuring they can seek full compensation without financial limits imposed by current law. The key mechanism is a targeted amendment to Section 85K of Chapter 231, overriding existing damage restrictions for these specific claims.
This bill (SD 358) amends Massachusetts' wiretap law to create a legal defense for people who record communications to document threats, harassment, or other crimes in specific family law contexts. It directly affects individuals involved in divorce, child custody disputes, or cases involving protection orders (Chapter 209A or 258E) who record such communications. Key provisions allow recording for these purposes without prosecution, permit disclosure of the recordings, and place the burden of proof on the recorder to show the recording was exempt under the law. The bill applies only to recordings made to document threats/harassment related to family court matters or protection orders, not general communications.
By Representative Haggerty of Woburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2857) of Richard M. Haggerty relative to court officers injured in service of the Commonwealth. Public Service.
By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2721) of Erika Uyterhoeven for legislation to authorize persons committed to a state correctional facility privileged contact with members of the General Court. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1061) of Brendan P. Crighton, Cynthia Stone Creem, Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote public safety and better outcomes for young adults. The Judiciary.
By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1720) of Liz Miranda, Joanne M. Comerford, Mike Connolly, James B. Eldridge and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to regulating visits in state prisons and correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
HD 81 makes it a crime to knowingly help a child under 18 run away from their legal caregiver, such as a parent, guardian, or child welfare agency like DCF or foster care. It sets penalties: up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine for children under 18, up to 5 years in prison for children under 14, and harsher penalties (up to 10 years) when involving DCF or court-ordered care. The bill also adds stricter punishments if the act occurs near schools, with fines starting at $2,500 and prison terms up to 5 years. This directly affects individuals who assist minors in leaving legally mandated care without authorization.
This bill creates a new compensation program for individuals wrongfully convicted of felonies in Massachusetts, directly affecting those who served at least one year in prison for a conviction later overturned or pardoned with a statement of reasonable innocence. It establishes a dedicated division within the Attorney General's office to process claims, requiring applicants to submit a sworn statement of innocence, proof of incarceration, and court documents showing conviction reversal or pardon. The division must review claims within 30 days, issue immediate payments if eligibility is clear, or schedule a hearing within 60 days if additional documentation is needed. Eligibility requires the conviction to be for a felony (not resolved by a guilty plea), the individual to have served prison time, and either a governor's pardon with innocence language or a court-ordered reversal with no subsequent felony charges.
By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1192) of Mark C. Montigny, Christopher Hendricks, Dennis C. Gallagher, Steven George Xiarhos and other members of the General Court for legislation to provide a DNA exception for statute of limitations on sex offenses. The Judiciary.
