Rep. Joe McKenna

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens Massachusetts laws against sexual harassment and discrimination by updating the state's definition of prohibited employer conduct. It directly affects employers and employees by making it illegal to retaliate against workers for filing complaints or cooperating in investigations regarding sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The legislation also bans requiring employees to sign confidentiality or nondisclosure agreements as a condition of employment, with specific exceptions for protecting trade secrets. By removing these mandatory restrictive clauses, the bill aims to ensure employees can report issues without fear of being forced into silence or losing their rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections for individuals in their homes by establishing a "duty to retreat" for anyone who illegally enters a dwelling where others are present. Under the new rules, an intruder who fails to leave immediately after discovering occupants loses the right to sue or press criminal charges against the residents for any injuries that occur during the confrontation. The legislation also imposes harsher penalties for specific scenarios, such as a mandatory five-year prison sentence for entering a home with minors and a minimum twenty-year sentence for armed intruders who use force or threaten violence. These changes aim to deter home invasions and ensure that legal occupants can defend themselves without fear of retaliation from the intruder.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws regarding indecent assault and battery to explicitly include the use of bodily substances, such as blood, saliva, semen, urine, or feces, as part of the offense. It specifically extends these protections to children under the age of 14 and to individuals with intellectual disabilities, ensuring that assaults involving these substances are legally recognized under the relevant statutes. Additionally, the legislation broadens coverage to include assaults by bodily substances against persons aged 14 or older, as well as elders and other people with disabilities. By clarifying the definition of "bodily substance" and specifying the affected victim groups, the bill aims to ensure these acts are prosecuted under existing indecent assault and battery charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to ban the possession, sale, and use of child sex dolls in Massachusetts. It defines these items as anatomically correct dolls or robots that resemble minors and are intended for sexual acts. The law would impose fines of up to $10,000 and prison sentences of up to five years for a first offense, with harsher penalties of up to ten years for subsequent violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory post-release supervision for individuals released from incarceration in Massachusetts, requiring them to serve a period of oversight after their prison or jail term ends. The supervision period is calculated as 25 percent of the maximum sentence imposed, with a minimum of nine months, and is administered by either the parole board or the office of the commissioner of probation depending on the length of the original sentence. Key provisions include exemptions for those who successfully complete probation or parole, rules for calculating the supervision term for multiple offenses, and a pathway for early termination after nine months if the individual meets specific criteria such as securing employment and housing. The legislation also directs state officials to create uniform regulations for supervision and sets joint standards for early release based on factors like treatment completion and testing results.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to protect hunters and anglers from harassment by defining specific prohibited behaviors and increasing penalties for violations. It directly affects individuals engaged in lawful hunting and fishing, as well as those who might obstruct or intimidate them. The key provisions explicitly ban actions such as driving away wildlife to interrupt a hunt, blocking access to hunting areas, erecting barriers, and using drones or other devices to harass participants. Additionally, the bill imposes stricter fines and jail time for vandalism of hunting equipment and for causing bodily injury during harassment incidents. It also clarifies that posting land as closed to hunting is illegal unless the property owner has given permission.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for individuals in correctional facilities who possess dangerous weapons. It defines a dangerous weapon broadly to include any object, whether store-bought or homemade, that is designed or intended for use as a weapon. The legislation mandates that anyone in custody at a jail, prison, or detention center found with such an item faces up to 10 years in state prison, up to 2.5 years in the house of correction, a fine of up to $5,000, or a combination of these punishments. The new penalties apply to violations committed after the law takes effect and are served in addition to any existing sentences the person is already serving.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits registered sex offenders in Massachusetts from legally changing their names or using any name other than the one they registered under. It directly affects individuals listed on the state sex offender registry by amending existing laws to forbid name changes through official channels and prevent them from adopting new surnames in marriage. The legislation also ensures that failing to use the registered name is treated as a violation of registration requirements. By restricting name changes, the bill aims to maintain the accuracy of public records and ensure that the community can easily identify registered offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission to examine and set service standards for organizations that help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of 19 members, including government officials, advocates from various support centers, and survivors of these crimes, who will serve unpaid terms of two years. Its main task is to review current practices across the state and develop uniform minimum standards for how these service providers operate. The group will hold public meetings, gather information, and make recommendations to improve support for survivors, while its own rules and staffing will depend on future funding approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission to develop and enforce uniform minimum standards for organizations providing services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence across Massachusetts. The commission will consist of 19 members representing government agencies, advocacy groups, and survivors, who will meet regularly to review current practices and propose consistent service guidelines. While the commission itself has no power to enforce rules, it will study existing programs and make recommendations to state agencies and local communities to improve care for victims. The members serve unpaid terms of two years and are responsible for ensuring that support services meet high, consistent quality levels throughout the state.