Rep. Kay Khan

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 allows incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts to petition their original sentencing judge for a sentence reduction after serving a minimum number of years in custody. Eligibility depends on the person's age at the time of the offense, requiring at least 10 years served for those who were 25 or younger and 12 years for those 26 or older, with longer wait times of 15 and 18 years respectively for crimes involving loss of life. The law mandates that the Department of Correction notify eligible inmates about this option after 9 and 14 years in custody and requires the court to provide specific reasons for denying any petition. If a petition is denied, the individual must wait at least two years before filing again, though the judge can extend this waiting period up to five years and set specific criteria the inmate must meet to be eligible for a subsequent review.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows minors aged 13 and older in Massachusetts to directly petition courts for protection orders against abuse and harassment without needing a parent or guardian to file on their behalf. Under the new rules, these youth can appear in court alone to request orders under Chapter 209A or Chapter 258E, which cover domestic violence and stalking cases. If a minor aged 13 or older appears without an attorney, the court must appoint one and provide information about victim support services, though emergency hearings can still proceed immediately. Additionally, even when an adult files a request on behalf of a minor in this age group, the judge must consider the minor's own expressed wishes when deciding on relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Correctional Oversight Office to help implement recommendations from the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The new office will focus on addressing four specific forms of racism identified in the legislation: institutional policies, systemic interactions between agencies, interpersonal treatment, and internalized biases affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. By establishing this office, the state aims to improve transparency and equity in areas such as healthcare access, job training, and data tracking for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The law also defines key terms like "correctional facility" and "correctional community members" to ensure clear application of these oversight measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring lenders and borrowers to attend supervised mediation conferences. The program applies to loans secured by primary residences, including small rental properties, condominiums, and cooperatives, but excludes government tax or judgment liens. During these conferences, a neutral mediator facilitates a good faith effort between the creditor and borrower to explore sustainable alternatives to foreclosure, such as loan modifications or repayment plans. A key provision mandates that the lender's representative at the conference cannot be the same person representing the lender in any subsequent court foreclosure proceedings. This legislative change aims to establish a structured, non-court process for resolving mortgage disputes before properties are lost.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mathew J. Muratore and others for legislation to authorize insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and orthotic devices. Financial Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts can better support adults over 21 with developmental disabilities, particularly those whose conditions are not currently covered by the state's definition. The commission will consist of government officials and community representatives, including individuals with lived experience, to examine current service gaps and compare state definitions with federal standards. Its main task is to gather input from families and providers, identify unmet needs for specific diagnoses like cerebral palsy or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and propose recommendations to improve service availability and inter-agency collaboration. The group must submit a final report with findings, budget estimates, and potential new laws within one year of the bill taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to speed up the process for receiving inpatient mental health treatment and related legal reviews in Massachusetts. It requires hospitals to establish evening and night staffing consistent with national standards and mandates that independent medical examinations for indigent patients be requested within 24 hours and completed within three business days. Additionally, the bill shortens the maximum time a patient can be held without a hearing from fourteen days to five days and sets a seven-day deadline for hearings regarding involuntary commitment petitions. The legislation also directs the Department of Children and Families to create a specific timeline for administering antipsychotic medication to children in state custody who are hospitalized in psychiatric facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover colorectal cancer screening for all insured individuals starting at age 45. It mandates that these screenings, which include various tests like colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopy, be provided without any co-pays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs. The law applies to employees of the state, private health insurance policies, and hospital service plans, ensuring broad access to early detection services. By removing financial barriers, the legislation aims to facilitate regular screening for colorectal cancer in adults under 50.