Rep. Joe McKenna

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to require specific informed consent procedures before a chemical abortion using the mifepristone and misoprostol regimen. It mandates that patients be informed at least 24 hours in advance that the abortion process can potentially be reversed if they change their minds and that information on this reversal is available online. Additionally, the law requires physicians and pharmacies to provide written discharge instructions containing a specific statement about the possibility of preventing the abortion's effects by not taking the second pill. The Department of Public Health is tasked with creating a stable website to host these resources and publishing informational materials in multiple languages within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law that prohibits doctors and other medical providers from performing abortions if the decision is based on a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. It directly affects healthcare professionals by making it a criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison or a fine of $15,000 to terminate a pregnancy specifically because the fetus has Down syndrome. The legislation also mandates the revocation of medical licenses for providers who violate this rule and allows for civil lawsuits against them for damages. Additionally, the bill explicitly states that pregnant women seeking such abortions are not guilty of any crime under this new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to restrict abortions after the second trimester unless a physician and two consultants certify that continuing the pregnancy poses a risk of death to the woman. It requires such procedures to take place in a hospital setting and mandates that hospitals provide specific life-saving equipment and measures to protect both the mother and the unborn child if the fetus shows signs of viability. The legislation directly affects physicians performing abortions, hospitals conducting these procedures, and the state's Department of Public Health, which would define the necessary life-saving equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers and employees from using nondisclosure agreements to hide facts about sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in the workplace. It makes such clauses in settlement agreements legally unenforceable, while still allowing victims to keep their own identities private if they choose. The law also ensures that victims can sue for damages with a jury trial and receive attorney fees if they win, and it bars the use of public funds to settle these specific claims against government employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow homeowners to rent out accessory dwelling units without being subject to state discrimination protections that typically apply to other residential leases. The legislation specifically affects owners of these secondary living spaces, granting them the legal ability to choose tenants based on their own preferences rather than adhering to standard fair housing rules. However, the law includes a provision that requires the owner to offer the unit to an immediate family member first, only waiving discrimination protections if no family member chooses to rent it.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law specifically addressing crimes against unborn children, defining them as victims separate from the pregnant woman. It establishes new criminal offenses, including first and second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and assault, specifically for acts that cause death or injury to a fetus or unborn child. The legislation sets out specific penalties for these crimes, such as life imprisonment without parole for first-degree murder, and defines key terms like "unborn child" as life from conception until death.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mothers in Massachusetts to petition a court to terminate the parental rights of a man who fathered their child through rape. It applies to both married women seeking to end their husband's rights and unmarried mothers seeking to end the rights of a stranger who committed the assault. The law establishes that a criminal conviction or guilty plea for rape serves as automatic proof that the child was conceived through sexual violence, removing the need for the mother to prove the crime in a separate civil case. Additionally, the bill creates a legal presumption that ending the perpetrator's parental rights is in the child's best interest. These changes would enable victims to seek adoption or other permanent solutions without facing the burden of re-litigating the original criminal case.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to impose stricter penalties on individuals convicted of both illegal drug trafficking and firearm trafficking. Specifically, it targets those found guilty of trafficking opioids or heroin while also trafficking or stealing firearms, rifles, shotguns, or machine guns. Such offenders face a mandatory sentence of up to life imprisonment in state prison, which may include a fine of up to $500,000. Additionally, the legislation prevents these sentences from being paused or continued without a formal finding and bars convicted individuals from receiving early release privileges like furloughs or work release.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Unborn Victims of Down Syndrome Act," prohibits doctors and other medical providers in Massachusetts from performing abortions if they know the procedure was sought because of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. The law defines Down syndrome as a chromosomal disorder and explicitly states that the pregnant woman seeking the abortion cannot be held criminally liable for the act. Medical professionals who violate this provision face criminal penalties of up to fifteen years in prison, potential license revocation, and civil lawsuits for damages. The legislation aims to protect the unborn child from termination based on this specific genetic condition while shielding the mother from legal consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws to allow tenants facing eviction to pay their rent into a court-held escrow account instead of directly to the landlord. Under the new rules, if a tenant requests this option, the court must hold a hearing and require the tenant to deposit monthly rent plus any arrears calculated based on the property's fair market value. These funds are kept in escrow until the eviction case is resolved, with the money designated first for necessary repairs if the tenant prevails. If a tenant refuses to make the required deposit, the court can schedule a bench trial and issue further orders as it sees fit. The measure directly impacts landlords, tenants, and courts involved in summary process actions related to rent withholding.