Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new civil cause of action in Massachusetts to address the malicious sharing of personal information, such as home addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers. It allows individuals to sue anyone who knowingly disseminates their private data with the specific intent to cause harassment, stalking, or physical harm to them or their family members. To succeed in such a lawsuit, the plaintiff must prove that the information was shared without consent and that the act posed an imminent threat or resulted in actual harm. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiff, they may receive monetary damages, court orders to stop the behavior, and reimbursement for legal fees. The law also defines "personal information" broadly to include details that could reveal an individual's location or contact details, while explicitly protecting sensitive categories like gender-affirming and reproductive health care services.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to update how justices of the peace can advertise their services. It changes the gendered language in the statute to include "her" alongside "his" and adds "email address" to the list of contact information justices may provide. The legislation also expands the definition of acceptable advertising channels to include modern digital platforms like websites, social media, and digital video, while removing a requirement to mention business cards. These changes directly affect justices of the peace by allowing them to use contemporary communication methods to reach the public.
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 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 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 amends Massachusetts healthcare laws to restrict when insurance companies and utilization review organizations can require prior authorization for prescription drugs. It prohibits these entities from denying coverage for generic drugs, medications taken without interruption for six months, long-acting injectable antipsychotics, and FDA-approved treatments for opioid use disorders, among other specific scenarios. Additionally, the bill mandates that any adverse drug determination must be reviewed by a physician with relevant medical expertise and establishes a faster grievance process that automatically approves a drug if a decision is not made within 48 hours. These changes aim to streamline access to necessary medications and ensure that review decisions are made by qualified medical professionals.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to explicitly forbid public schools from discriminating against students based on their age. The change ensures that every student admitted to a public school has equal access to all advantages, privileges, and courses of study regardless of how old they are. By adding this specific language to existing statutes, the legislation aims to prevent schools from treating students differently or denying them educational opportunities solely because of their age.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to establish minimum standards for private wells, which are defined as systems serving fewer than 15 connections and either fewer than 25 people or an average of 25 or more people for less than 60 days a year. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to create regulations ensuring these wells meet public health safety standards and allows certified drillers to construct or modify them. The legislation also grants local boards of health and the state department concurrent authority to enforce these rules while aiming to reduce paperwork burdens for residents and businesses. Additionally, the bill directs the state to assist homeowners in installing treatment systems to ensure their private well water meets recommended contaminant limits.
By Representative Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2326) of Brandy Fluker Oakley and others relative to successful transitions and re-entries for incarcerated persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.