Rep. Michelle DuBois

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to help survivors of abuse, human trafficking, and involuntary sexual relations by allowing them to have certain criminal records expunged or sealed. It directly affects individuals who have been victims of these crimes and later faced legal charges related to their victimization. The law creates a specific category for offenses resulting from such victimization and establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant's actions were due to their trauma, though official documentation is not strictly required to apply. Judges will be able to consider credible evidence and testimony when deciding on petitions for relief, and the bill also adds a prohibition against making sealed or expunged records available for inspection.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires property owners in Massachusetts to inform potential buyers and renters if their property is located in a flood zone. Sellers must provide a standardized disclosure form detailing past flood damage, insurance history, and federal aid requirements before accepting an offer or signing a lease. The law also mandates that real estate agents and landlords share any known information about flooding risks and includes penalties of up to $1,000 for failing to comply with these notification duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a moratorium on new construction and expansion for jails and prisons in Massachusetts. It directly affects state and public agencies by prohibiting them from building new facilities, increasing the capacity of existing ones, or converting other buildings for incarceration purposes. The law also restricts renovations and repairs unless they are strictly for maintenance or to meet building code standards. A key provision is that the ban on expanding facilities will remain in effect for five years after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines the process for sealing criminal and juvenile court records in Massachusetts by mandating that relevant agencies seal eligible records within 90 days of becoming eligible. It directly affects individuals with past criminal or delinquent records, as well as their legal representatives, by removing the requirement to obtain a separate court order to access these sealed documents. The legislation also clarifies that juvenile offenses include cases where the minor was charged as a youthful offender. By enforcing strict timelines and simplifying access procedures, the law aims to make the record sealing process more efficient and less burdensome for applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the Department of Correction and local sheriffs provide free voice telephone services to all inmates in Massachusetts correctional facilities, including jails and mental health units. The law requires these communication services to be available at all times, provided they do not disrupt educational programs or daily facility operations. Additionally, the bill ensures that both the incarcerated person and the recipient of the call incur no charges for these calls for a period of 90 days following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a working group to investigate gender-based price discrimination for products marketed specifically to women in Massachusetts. The group will include representatives from the state legislature, consumer protection agencies, the Women's Bar Association, and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Within 30 days of the bill taking effect, the group must meet to study pricing differences based on gender marketing and submit their findings and recommendations to the state legislature by December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law to more clearly define and penalize the unauthorized recording of individuals in private or intimate situations, commonly referred to as "upskirting." It directly affects anyone who secretly photographs, videotapes, or uses electronic devices to view another person's visual image without their consent. The legislation establishes specific definitions for terms like "electronically surveils," "partially nude," and "sexual or other intimate parts" to ensure the law covers various scenarios involving privacy violations. Under the new provisions, offenders face fines and potential jail time, with harsher penalties applying if the victim is a minor or otherwise incompetent. The bill also clarifies that a victim's actual knowledge and consent serve as a legal defense against these charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission to examine and set service standards for organizations that help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of 19 members, including government officials, advocates from various support centers, and survivors of these crimes, who will serve unpaid terms of two years. Its main task is to review current practices across the state and develop uniform minimum standards for how these service providers operate. The group will hold public meetings, gather information, and make recommendations to improve support for survivors, while its own rules and staffing will depend on future funding approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts hate-crime laws to explicitly include gender as a protected characteristic. By adding the word "gender" to the list of protected categories in state statute, the legislation ensures that individuals targeted for bias based on their gender receive the same legal protections as those targeted for race, religion, or other existing categories. The change allows law enforcement and courts to classify certain crimes as hate crimes when the perpetrator's motive involves the victim's gender.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to specifically address the act of inducing a minor to engage in prostitution or sexual conduct for a fee. It directly affects individuals who coerce or persuade minors into such activities, as well as those who knowingly assist in this process. The key provision establishes a mandatory prison sentence of three to five years and a fine of five thousand dollars for these offenses. By clarifying the definition and penalties, the legislation aims to strengthen the legal consequences for exploiting minors in this manner.