Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa

Maddy summaryThis bill, HD 1542, enhances protections for sexual violence survivors by giving them control over their sexual assault evidence kits and restricting how law enforcement uses their DNA. It requires law enforcement to submit kits to a crime lab within 7 business days but allows survivors to choose whether their kit is tested or stored safely for the full statute of limitations period - without testing - even if they haven’t filed a police report. The bill also prohibits law enforcement from using a survivor’s DNA to prosecute them or comparing it to other DNA in databases, ensuring their DNA is only used for the specific incident being investigated. These changes directly affect survivors who provide evidence kits, prioritizing their autonomy and privacy in the criminal justice process.

Maddy summaryHD 2133 prohibits law enforcement from using deception (like false promises or misleading information) during police questioning of juveniles in custody. It requires all such interrogations in detention locations to be recorded, making any unrecorded statement or evidence from it inadmissible in court. The bill directly affects juveniles (under 18) and law enforcement officers conducting custodial interrogations. Key provisions include presuming any statement made under deception as involuntary, and requiring the prosecution to prove a statement was voluntary if deception occurred, or to justify why a recording wasn't made. This aims to protect juveniles from coercive tactics during police questioning.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3987) protects individuals by requiring written consent before using their name, image, voice, or likeness for advertising or commercial purposes within Massachusetts. It allows people to sue for damages if their image or voice is used without permission, with potential triple damages for intentional violations. The law treats these elements as personal property, protecting them for 10 years after death, extendable up to 70 years if the estate demonstrates ongoing public use. Exceptions include photographers displaying work (after written objection) and using a person's image in connection with goods they sold or artistic works they created.

Maddy summaryHD 3912 creates a state-funded program providing free legal representation to low-income tenants and homeowners facing eviction or housing subsidy termination in Massachusetts. It directly affects eligible individuals who qualify based on income (80% of area median income or less), public assistance status, or inability to pay court costs without hardship. The program, administered by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, will fund designated legal aid organizations to provide "full legal representation" in covered housing cases, including eviction proceedings. These organizations must serve low-income communities, ensure language access, and work with an advisory committee of housing advocates and tenants.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Massachusetts Survivors Act," allowing adults and children charged with crimes who are survivors of abuse, sexual assault, or human trafficking to seek relief in their criminal cases. Defendants can file a motion at any time after being charged, requesting pretrial diversion (suspended proceedings), reduced sentences, or postconviction relief, supported by evidence like court records, medical documentation, or expert testimony. The court must issue written findings on eligibility and sentence, and the Attorney General must annually report on all motions filed, granted, and demographic details. The law ensures no prior legal finding of abuse is required and protects defendants' constitutional rights during the process.

Maddy summaryHD 4047, titled "An Act relative to the protection of small businesses and workers," establishes new antitrust rules targeting monopolies and monopsonies in Massachusetts. It defines "monopoly power" (controlling prices or excluding competition) and "monopsony" (a single buyer dominating a market), making contracts that create or maintain such power unlawful. The bill presumes dominance if a business holds 40%+ of a product market or 30%+ of a labor market, and prohibits abuses like wage suppression, anti-union restraints, or forcing exclusive deals. It directly affects large businesses or employers with dominant market positions, aiming to protect small competitors and workers' bargaining power.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 496) requires courts to report bail amounts and related charges to the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS). It directly affects courts handling bail decisions and the CPCS, which will track this data. The key provision amends Section 57 of Chapter 276 to mandate this reporting, ensuring data collection for monitoring the implementation of the Brangan ruling. The bill focuses on procedural tracking, not altering bail standards or legal outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill automates the sealing of certain criminal records in Massachusetts, eliminating the need for individuals to file petitions. It requires correctional facilities to report release dates monthly to the probation commissioner, who then automatically seals eligible records after waiting periods (3 years for misdemeanors, 7 for felonies), excluding sex offenses, certain drug violations, and other specified crimes. The commissioner must seal records within 30 days of eligibility, provide clear notices to affected individuals at sentencing, and allow access to sealed records without court orders upon request. It directly affects people with past convictions who meet the waiting periods and criminal justice agencies responsible for record management.

Maddy summaryThis bill automatically seals criminal records for offenses that did not result in a conviction or "guilty file" disposition, directly affecting individuals with unconvicted cases. It eliminates the need for people to file petitions to seal such records, requiring courts and probation agencies to seal them immediately after final disposition (including completion of supervision). The bill also mandates that agencies provide a written notice stating "a presumption of innocence applies" for unconvicted offenses when sharing records. Additionally, it ensures individuals can access their sealed records without court orders and clarifies that convictions only include formal "findings of guilt," excluding continuances without finding. These changes aim to reduce barriers for people with unconvicted cases in employment, housing, and other areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "accomplice murder" category (M.G.L. Ch. 274 § 2A) for people convicted of murder under a "joint venture" theory who aided in a killing but weren't the principal perpetrator. It directly affects incarcerated individuals convicted of first or second-degree murder under this theory, allowing them to petition courts for resentencing. Key mechanisms include requiring prosecutors to notify eligible individuals within 90 days, establishing a petition process with court hearings, and shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors to show ineligibility. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the judiciary on petition outcomes, including demographic data and sentencing results.