Rep. Kay Khan

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new Massachusetts public bank that would be entirely owned by the state to manage a portion of public funds. The bank would invest these funds within the state to support small businesses, affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, and community organizations, with a specific focus on helping underserved and minority-owned enterprises. It would also aim to assist municipalities and workers through cooperative models while remaining under the supervision of the commissioner of banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding firearms, specifically targeting unserialized weapons known as ghost guns. It establishes precise meanings for terms like "frame," "receiver," and "unfinished frame or receiver" to ensure that parts intended for assembling functional guns are legally recognized. The legislation also defines "ghost guns" as those manufactured without a valid serial number and expands the scope to include nonmetallic firearms that might evade standard security detection. By updating these definitions, the bill aims to close legal gaps that currently allow individuals to assemble firearms without proper identification or tracking.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts firearm laws to explicitly include 3D-printed guns and "ghost guns" under existing regulations. It achieves this by legally defining the "frame" and "receiver" of a firearm to cover parts that can be easily assembled into a working weapon, regardless of their specific design or lack of serial numbers. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the sale, purchase, or possession of any firearm that cannot be detected by standard airport security scanners and bans individuals from using 3D printers to create guns or parts without a federal manufacturing license. These changes aim to close legal loopholes that currently allow the production and transfer of unserialized firearms made through additive manufacturing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund within the Department of Public Health to support programs that prevent sexual exploitation and assist victims, while also requiring the department to publish an annual report on service usage and gaps. The legislation repeals existing laws that criminalize certain behaviors associated with prostitution and establishes a task force to train law enforcement officers on identifying and responding to human trafficking cases. By removing criminal penalties for specific acts and focusing resources on prevention and victim support, the bill aims to shift the approach toward addressing sexual exploitation through public health and community-based services rather than solely through punishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to guarantee that anyone in police custody or contact who is experiencing a medical emergency or is medically unstable must receive emergency medical services. It defines specific terms like "emergency medical condition" and "medically unstable" to clarify when care is required and lists various law enforcement agencies and officers covered by the rule. Under the new provisions, officers are legally required to immediately call for medical help if a person in their custody reports health issues or appears to be deteriorating. The legislation directly affects law enforcement personnel and the individuals they encounter, ensuring that medical needs are addressed regardless of the person's legal status.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts General Laws to expand the legal definition of a "prostituted person" for the purposes of the state's sex trafficking statute. The change directly affects individuals currently involved in sex work by including them under the protections of the law if they are victims of sexual servitude, sex trafficking, or specific forms of prostitution involving fees, necessities, minors, or street solicitation. By broadening this definition, the legislation ensures that a wider range of people engaged in the sex trade can access existing legal remedies and support services designed for trafficking victims. The bill does not alter criminal penalties but rather clarifies who qualifies for the state's victim assistance framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits family and juvenile courts in Massachusetts from discriminating against parents with disabilities when making custody or parenting time decisions. It requires judges to consider a parent's disability as a neutral factor unless there is clear evidence that the disability directly harms the child and cannot be fixed through accommodations like adaptive equipment or supportive services. If a court decides a disability negatively impacts a custody ruling, it must provide written findings explaining the specific harm to the child and why accommodations would not prevent it. The legislation also formally defines key terms such as "disability" and "supportive parenting services" to ensure consistent application across legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce mass incarceration by expanding parole eligibility for certain prisoners currently serving life sentences in Massachusetts. It removes specific exclusions that previously barred individuals with multiple life sentences or those convicted of first-degree murder as minors from applying for parole. Under the new rules, prisoners serving multiple life sentences would become eligible for parole 25 years after their most recent conviction began, and courts would be required to set a minimum prison term of 25 years for first-degree murder cases. Additionally, the legislation adjusts the minimum parole term for juveniles who commit murder before their 18th birthday, ensuring they are not automatically excluded from future parole consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to address controlling and abusive litigation, specifically targeting legal actions taken by individuals who have a history of abuse or harassment against a family or household member. The legislation defines such litigation as cases where the accuser has a prior court finding of abuse and is suing primarily to harass or intimidate the other party, often by making claims without legal basis or evidence. Key provisions allow courts to dismiss these specific types of lawsuits if the allegations are unsupported by law or facts, or if similar issues have already been decided unfavorably in previous court cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts state law to standardize protections for all prisoners placed in segregated confinement, which includes various forms of isolation like disciplinary housing and mental health watch. It establishes specific definitions for different housing types, such as secure adjustment units designed for rehabilitation and secure treatment units for those with serious mental illness, while ensuring these areas offer access to education, recreation, and visitation comparable to the general population. The legislation also mandates that prisoners in these units retain certain rights, including access to personal property and communication devices, unless a qualified mental health professional determines it is unsafe to do so. By amending existing statutes, the bill aims to ensure that conditions in isolated housing are not more restrictive than those in general population units and that inmates receive necessary services and opportunities.