Rep. Dave Robertson

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals who have violated certain motor vehicle laws to participate in community works programs as an alternative to other penalties. The key provision adds a specific option for offenders to provide services to municipalities within their county under an existing chapter of the General Laws. By modifying the list of acceptable community service activities, the legislation expands the range of non-custodial options available for motor vehicle violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Free Flow of Information Act, establishes legal protections for journalists and their sources in Massachusetts. It prevents government officials from forcing news gatherers to reveal who their confidential sources are or to hand over unpublished materials like notes and outtakes. While the law generally shields this information, it allows courts to order disclosure only under strict conditions, such as when revealing a source is critical to preventing imminent harm to public safety. Additionally, any information obtained by the government in violation of these protections cannot be used in legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts sex offender registration laws to require individuals to report not just their physical addresses but also their online identities, including email addresses, website registrations, and messaging aliases. It directly affects registered sex offenders by mandating that they notify authorities of any changes to these digital identifiers and listing them on public records alongside their names. The legislation amends multiple sections of the state's General Laws to ensure that online contact information is consistently included in registration requirements and penalty notices for non-compliance. By expanding the definition of required information to include electronic aliases, the bill aims to modernize the registry for the digital age while maintaining the existing framework for tracking and reporting offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to strengthen protections for victims of hate crimes by expanding the definition of harassment and increasing penalties for assaults motivated by bias. It directly affects individuals targeted for violence or intimidation based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The legislation redefines harassment to include three or more malicious acts intended to cause fear or damage, while also incorporating specific existing offenses into the harassment definition. Additionally, it raises the maximum penalty for hate-motivated assault or battery to a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to two and a half years. These changes aim to provide clearer legal tools for restraining orders and harsher consequences for perpetrators of hate-based violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to prohibit anyone from possessing, buying, selling, or trafficking cats and dogs with the intent to slaughter them for food. It defines "slaughter" as killing an animal for consumption and sets up penalties of up to seven years in prison or a $5,000 fine for first-time violations, increasing to ten years or $10,000 for repeat offenses. The law includes specific exceptions for veterinary euthanasia, scientific research, and educational purposes when performed by licensed professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program, a state-run retirement savings initiative designed for private-sector employees who currently lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. The program primarily affects employers with at least 25 employees and at least two years of operation that have not offered a qualified retirement plan in the past two years, as well as smaller employers who may opt in. Key provisions include creating a new board to administer the program and setting up a trust fund to hold individual retirement accounts funded through automatic payroll deductions. The legislation defines specific terms related to employees, wages, and eligible employers to ensure clarity in participation requirements and operational procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to ensure that the identities of individuals under investigation for unclaimed property and their related records remain confidential. It explicitly states that this information is not public record and cannot be disclosed under existing open records laws. The changes apply immediately to all taxpayer data collected on or after the bill is signed into effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts can better support adults over 21 with developmental disabilities, particularly those whose conditions are not currently covered by the state's definition. The commission will consist of government officials and community representatives, including individuals with lived experience, to examine current service gaps and compare state definitions with federal standards. Its main task is to gather input from families and providers, identify unmet needs for specific diagnoses like cerebral palsy or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and propose recommendations to improve service availability and inter-agency collaboration. The group must submit a final report with findings, budget estimates, and potential new laws within one year of the bill taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.