Maddy summaryThis law establishes a mandatory educational diversion program in Massachusetts for minors charged with specific offenses related to possessing or sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. The Attorney General will lead the creation of this program in collaboration with various state agencies and community groups, focusing on informing youth about legal penalties, social consequences, and the risks of online image sharing. If a child is charged with these offenses, the court will typically pause legal proceedings to require the completion of this program instead of immediate prosecution, unless the district attorney objects. Successful completion of the program allows the case to be dismissed, while failure to participate results in the case being restored for standard legal processing. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of abuse to include "coercive control" and requires schools to teach media literacy skills using materials from the new diversion program.
Rep. Frank Moran
Sponsored bills
By Representative Moran of Lawrence, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2895) of Frank A. Moran and Estela A. Reyes for legislation to provide for a sales tax exemption for certain retail sales made within 10 miles of the New Hampshire border. Revenue.
By Representatives Moran of Lawrence and Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2379) of Frank A. Moran, Manny Cruz and Estela A. Reyes relative to policies and procedures for missing and abducted children. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2909) of James J. O'Day and others for legislation to require certain married couples to submit joint income tax returns. Revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive educational diversion program to address the legal and social consequences of adolescents sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. It requires the Attorney General to create this curriculum in collaboration with state education and youth services departments, which will be used to divert minors from court proceedings if they are charged with related offenses. The program also mandates that schools integrate media literacy instruction using the same materials to help students understand the risks of online image sharing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal definition of abuse to include coercive control and increases fines for certain offenses.
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 amends Massachusetts law to ban the manufacturing and assembly of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices within the state. It directly affects individuals and businesses attempting to produce these firearms, while explicitly exempting licensed manufacturers who create them solely for authorized law enforcement, military, or foreign government agencies. Violators of the new prohibition face severe penalties, including fines ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for one to ten years. The legislation aims to prevent the creation of these specific firearms by targeting the production process rather than restricting ownership of already existing weapons.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Community Justice Programs within the Massachusetts Department of Probation to manage a statewide network of community-based alternatives to incarceration. It creates a specific program called "intensive supervision with treatment" for individuals assessed as having a moderate or higher risk of reoffending, while also allowing courts to order participation in pretrial services programs instead of setting bail. The legislation defines these programs as services provided by state, local, or private agencies and explicitly prohibits using intensive supervision to replace mandatory minimum prison sentences. Additionally, the bill sets up a formal process where sheriffs can recommend defendants for pretrial programs, requiring courts to review these recommendations and allowing prosecutors to object within 14 days.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Child Advocate to collect and publish annual statistics on how juveniles interact with law enforcement and the justice system. The law mandates that agencies provide detailed data broken down by demographics such as age, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation to help identify disparities. Additionally, the bill updates legal definitions to ensure these specific identity categories are consistently recorded and protected under existing privacy laws. By standardizing how this information is gathered and reported, the legislation aims to create a clearer picture of the juvenile justice landscape for government officials and the public.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require police officers responding to domestic violence calls to inform victims about local shelters. The amendment specifically mandates that this information be provided in the victim's native language using translation services whenever possible. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals involved in domestic violence situations within the state. The change aims to improve access to resources for non-English speakers by ensuring communication barriers are addressed during initial police interactions.