Rep. Sam Montaño

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to remove two specific sections of Massachusetts law that currently prohibit certain acts performed with other people or animals. By repealing these sections, the legislation aims to eliminate legal restrictions that critics argue are rooted in homophobia and transphobia. The change would directly affect individuals who might otherwise face criminal penalties under these repealed statutes.

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.

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 amends Massachusetts law to require courts to grant special immigrant juvenile status to eligible immigrant children who meet specific criteria. By changing the legal language from "may" to "shall," the legislation mandates that judges must approve these status findings rather than having the discretion to deny them. The change directly impacts immigration judges and the families of juvenile immigrants who are seeking this specific legal designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require probate courts to follow a specific complaint and judgment protocol for dependency cases. The rule mandates that all courts within the state apply these procedures consistently to ensure uniform rulings across different county departments. The chief justice of the probate and family court is responsible for publishing the detailed protocol that judges must follow. This change directly affects judges and court staff handling dependency proceedings by standardizing their administrative processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to address situations where a parent intentionally avoids receiving legal documents regarding their child's custody or legal status. It classifies such deliberate avoidance as neglect and abandonment for the purpose of special findings, but includes exceptions for parents living outside the U.S., in rural areas, or in locations where proper service is impossible. Additionally, the legislation requires courts to consider electronic notification as a valid alternative method for delivering documents when traditional service and publication are not feasible. These changes directly affect family courts and parents involved in custody proceedings by clarifying how service of process failures are evaluated.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Massachusetts Attorney General's office to support tenants in public and subsidized housing. The legislation defines specific forms of misconduct, such as bullying, mobbing, and hostile environment harassment, and clarifies that these actions do not require physical harm to be considered violations. Under this act, the Attorney General would have the authority to intervene in legal or administrative cases on behalf of affected tenants and hold landlords accountable for interfering with a resident's right to peacefully enjoy their home.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies sentencing laws for first-degree murder in Massachusetts to allow judges more flexibility in determining whether a defendant faces life without parole or a long fixed-term sentence. It requires that for offenders aged 18 or older at the time of the crime, courts must set a minimum prison term of at least 35 years or explicitly decide that the person will never be eligible for parole. The changes apply only to individuals sentenced after the law takes effect, ensuring that those currently serving life without parole sentences are not impacted by these new provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts eviction laws to create a two-step process for all housing court cases and pause evictions when tenants are seeking rental aid. Under the new rules, every case must first attend a mediation session to explore options before a trial date is set, and no default judgments or evictions can occur if a tenant has an active application for financial help. The legislation directly affects landlords, tenants, and courts by requiring judges to grant delays in eviction proceedings whenever a rental assistance request is pending. These changes aim to ensure tenants have time to secure funding before facing removal from their homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to strictly limit how long young inmates, specifically those aged 21 and under, can be held in solitary confinement. Under the new rules, these individuals may only be placed in isolation for up to 48 hours if they pose an immediate and substantial threat to the safety of others, with a possible extension of another 24 hours if a superintendent documents conclusive evidence of continued danger. The legislation distinguishes this group from adults over 21, who currently face longer maximum confinement periods for disciplinary reasons in correctional institutions and jails. By setting these specific time limits, the bill aims to reduce the duration of solitary confinement for juveniles and young adults while maintaining safety protocols for facilities.