Rep. Rita Mendes

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to expand in-state tuition eligibility at Massachusetts public colleges and universities to individuals who attended and graduated from a high school in the state for at least three years, regardless of their immigration status. To qualify, applicants must meet specific documentation requirements, such as registering for military selective service if applicable, providing a valid social security number or tax identification number, filing state income tax returns annually, and submitting a sworn affidavit if they are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. The legislation aims to ensure that long-term residents who have completed their secondary education in Massachusetts pay the same tuition rates as citizens, while excluding nonimmigrant aliens under specific federal definitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to waive all tuition and mandatory fees for students who graduate from the Brockton public school district and enroll in Massasoit Community College. The policy applies specifically to these graduates upon their enrollment in at least one class at the college, ensuring they do not pay standard charges during their studies. While the bill grants the college board authority to create guidelines for administering this waiver, it does not extend this benefit to students from other districts or institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a standardized process for dividing real estate owned by multiple relatives, known as heirs property. It directly affects individuals involved in partition actions where property was inherited or acquired from family members. The legislation requires courts to order professional appraisals to determine fair market value unless all owners agree on a price, and it mandates that impartial commissioners be appointed to oversee the process. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for plaintiffs to post a conspicuous sign on the property notifying neighbors and the public that a legal partition action has begun. These changes aim to ensure transparency and fairness when dividing family-owned land through the court system.

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 aims to protect individuals' rights by automatically sealing criminal records for charges that did not result in a conviction or a guilty plea, thereby reducing long-term barriers to employment and housing. It specifically requires the sealing of records for adults and juveniles who are not found guilty or who have completed their court-ordered conditions, removing the need for them to file separate petitions to clear their names. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that a "continuation without a finding" does not count as a conviction and mandates that background check providers inform requestors that the presumption of innocence applies to pending or non-convicted cases. These changes directly affect people with criminal records by limiting the collateral consequences of charges that were not proven in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the construction supervisor who signs a building permit as the "controlling contractor," making them personally responsible for ensuring overall safety at the job site. Under this new rule, the controlling contractor must guarantee that all work follows local, state, federal laws, and industry safety standards. Additionally, the bill imposes personal liability on anyone performing construction work without a required permit for any injuries or damages that occur at the site, though it exempts residential homeowners from this penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Massachusetts state law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and other subdivisions from entering into, extending, or renewing any contracts with the federal government. The law specifically targets agreements related to civil immigration detention and restricts such partnerships to a maximum of ninety days after the bill takes effect. It empowers the state Attorney General to sue entities that violate these restrictions and allows private citizens to file lawsuits against violators. The legislation aims to limit state involvement in federal immigration enforcement while ensuring that local officers can still perform their standard public safety duties.

By Representatives DuBois of Brockton and Mendes of Brockton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michelle M. DuBois and Rita A. Mendes (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to the police cadet program in the city of Brockton. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who are not U.S. citizens to apply for professional licenses in Massachusetts without providing a Social Security number. It achieves this by permitting applicants to submit an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or other identity verification documents instead. The law specifically applies to licensing boards overseen by the Division of Occupational Licensure and the Department of Public Health. This change aims to remove a barrier for non-citizens seeking to work in regulated professions while maintaining identity verification standards.