Rep. Joe McKenna

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Commission on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Management, a seven-member group led by state officials tasked with studying suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. The commission will investigate needs for emergency and outpatient services, professional training, and infrastructure while proposing a dedicated fund to accept charitable donations. By January 1, 2025, the group must submit a report with recommendations to improve access to care, communication channels, and follow-up programs, including guidance on safely handling dangerous items like firearms and medications. Additionally, the Department of Mental Health is directed to develop public resources that help individuals conduct home safety inspections and learn about wellness assistance. The bill also requires the department to launch public awareness campaigns promoting Mass 211 and the Federal 988 suicide prevention hotline.

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2493) of Ryan C. Fattman and Joseph D. McKenna (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Sutton to grant real property abatements to certain military personnel. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes stricter penalties for individuals who intentionally block public roads or highways during protests specifically aimed at stopping others from passing. Under the new law, anyone convicted of this act could face up to ten years in state prison or a fine of up to one thousand dollars, or alternatively, up to two and a half years in jail or a house of correction. The legislation applies to any person engaging in such actions, regardless of other existing laws or regulations. It focuses on the specific intent to prevent passage while obstructing a roadway.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for anyone who assaults a corrections officer or Department of Corrections staff member while they are working, specifically when the attack causes serious bodily injury. Under the new provisions, offenders face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year in state prison or up to two and a half years in a house of correction, along with a fine between $500 and $10,000. The legislation also restricts post-conviction relief by prohibiting suspended sentences, probation, parole, work release, furloughs, and good conduct time deductions until the mandatory minimum term is served. These changes apply strictly to cases resulting in serious bodily injury, defined as permanent disfigurement, significant loss of function, or substantial risk of death.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a legal right for homeowners and renters in Massachusetts to sue individuals who install video cameras on neighboring properties to record their backyards. It specifically targets the placement of imaging devices without written permission when the intent is to harass, annoy, alarm, or threaten the residents. The law defines a backyard as the area behind and to the sides of a house that extends beyond the building's footprint. Law enforcement officers conducting their official duties are exempt from this new restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify the rights of individuals who have obtained violent protection orders. It requires the state's public safety office to create and distribute educational materials explaining lawful defense options, including the use of force, necessary permits, and how to report violations. Additionally, the legislation explicitly states that a protection order holder is not required to retreat and may use deadly or less-than-deadly force if they reasonably believe they or others are in imminent danger of serious injury or death. The bill further ensures that acting in lawful defense under these conditions will not lead to arrest, prosecution, or the loss of firearm licenses, nor will it result in civil liability for any injuries or death caused to the alleged violator.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from granting visitation or custody rights to a parent convicted of rape to their child conceived during the crime. The law affects cases where a convicted rapist seeks contact with the victim's child and directly impacts the legal rights of both the convicted parent and the child. Under this measure, a court cannot order visitation unless the child has reached the age of 18 or has been legally declared emancipated from the other parent. This change ensures that the child's autonomy is prioritized by allowing them to decide on contact with the convicted parent once they are an adult or independent. The provision applies specifically to convictions under Massachusetts statutes related to rape and the conception of the child during the offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from secretly installing GPS tracking devices on motor vehicles without the consent of the driver and passengers. The law defines these devices as any tools that reveal a vehicle's location and transmit that data to a phone or computer. Exceptions are made for law enforcement investigations, parents monitoring their minor children, locating stolen vehicles, and businesses tracking their own employee-owned or leased vehicles. Additionally, the bill does not apply to tracking systems already built into cars by manufacturers or those used by rental companies and insurers with the owner's permission. Violations of this act are classified as criminal harassment, punishable under existing state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for inmates who assault correctional staff with dangerous weapons. It directly affects prisoners in jails, houses of correction, detention facilities, and state prisons, as well as the officers, employees, and volunteers who work in these locations. Under the new provision, anyone convicted of such an assault faces up to 2.5 years in a local facility or up to 20 years in state prison, with the new sentence added to any existing time they must serve. The definition of a dangerous weapon is expanded to include custom-made or homemade items, ensuring that improvised tools used in an attack are covered by the stricter penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits registered level 2 and level 3 sex offenders from loitering within 500 feet of designated school bus stops in Massachusetts. The law defines loitering as staying in the restricted area for more than 15 minutes, with an exception allowing parents or legal guardians to remain longer until their child arrives or departs. Violators face escalating penalties, including fines and potential jail time, with each offense requiring notification to the sex offender registry board.