Rep. Kim Ferguson

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3510) creates new criminal penalties for "check washing," defined as altering a check's payee name, amount, or both to fraudulently cash or deposit it. It directly affects individuals who commit this specific type of check fraud. The law imposes penalties based on the amount stolen: up to 10 years in prison or a $50,000 fine for fraud exceeding $1,200, or up to 2 years in jail or a $3,000 fine for fraud under $1,200. The bill also clarifies where legal action can be filed (in the jurisdiction where the check was used or the bank's main office is located).

Maddy summaryHD 1312 amends the state's juror service law to create a new exemption for sole business owners whose jury duty would require closing their business. The bill adds this exemption to the existing list of reasons for being excused from jury duty. It directly affects small business owners who operate alone and cannot leave their business unattended during jury service. This change would allow such individuals to be excused from jury duty without penalty.

Maddy summaryHD 1400 changes Massachusetts law to replace the fixed 12% prejudgment interest rate with a variable rate based on the weekly average one-year Treasury yield published by the Federal Reserve. This affects plaintiffs and defendants in civil lawsuits where prejudgment interest is awarded before a court judgment is issued. The bill modifies sections of Chapter 231 of the General Laws to calculate interest using the Treasury yield for the week before the judgment date, rather than the current fixed rate. The change directly impacts the amount of interest accrued in eligible cases, aligning it with current federal interest rates. The bill does not alter the scope of cases eligible for prejudgment interest, only the method for calculating the rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a separate criminal offense for causing death or bodily injury to a fetus (defined as "child in utero" at any developmental stage) through acts that would otherwise violate laws like assault. It directly affects individuals whose criminal conduct results in fetal harm, such as in cases of domestic violence or accidents. The key mechanism sets the punishment for this offense equal to what would apply if the injury occurred to the pregnant person, and it explicitly excludes prosecution for legal abortions, medical treatments for the pregnant person or fetus, or actions taken by the pregnant person themselves. The law clarifies that intent to harm the fetus or knowledge of pregnancy is not required for prosecution.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for assaulting corrections officers and Department of Corrections staff while they're performing their duties. It mandates a minimum 1-year prison sentence (not less than 1 year) for anyone causing serious bodily injury to these workers through assault, with fines ranging from $500 to $10,000. The law prohibits probation, parole, sentence reductions, or early release until the mandatory minimum term is served, and defines "serious bodily injury" as permanent disfigurement, loss of bodily function, or substantial risk of death. The bill directly affects corrections officers (who gain enhanced legal protection) and individuals convicted of such assaults (who face stricter sentencing).

Maddy summaryHD 3780 creates a new court-approved community-based treatment program for adults with severe mental illness who are at high risk of harm to themselves or others due to treatment non-adherence. It establishes a "critical community mental health service treatment plan" requiring court approval as the least restrictive alternative to hospitalization, targeting individuals who are "gravely disabled" (unable to meet basic needs safely due to mental illness) and have a history of repeated hospitalizations or violent behavior. The plan must include supervision, medication, and assistance with basic needs like housing and employment, with initial court orders limited to 180 days (renewable up to 365 days). This bill directly affects eligible individuals with severe mental illness and their care providers, shifting focus from inpatient commitment to structured community care under judicial oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts law regarding immigration cooperation and emergency housing assistance. For public safety, it requires state/local law enforcement to detain certain individuals for up to 12 hours (with judicial review within that timeframe) when ICE requests custody for non-citizens convicted of specific serious offenses like terrorism, gang activity, or violent crimes. For emergency housing, it restricts eligibility to U.S. citizens or immigrants with 12 consecutive months of continuous Massachusetts residency, requiring specific documentation (e.g., tax returns, driver's license, utility bills) and prohibiting fraudulent applications. These changes directly affect immigrants seeking housing assistance and law enforcement agencies handling ICE requests.

Maddy summaryHD 4222 allows Massachusetts court officers to detain non-citizens for up to 12 hours at the direction of a judicial officer, specifically when ICE provides a written request and an arrest warrant, and the judicial officer determines the person poses a public safety threat based on specific criminal convictions. It directly affects court officers, judicial officers, and non-citizens with certain prior convictions (e.g., terrorism, gang-related offenses, violent crimes, or specific felonies). The bill requires judicial officers to document reasons for denying ICE requests and maintains these records publicly, while also requiring judges to consider ICE detainer requests when setting bail. It does not create new immigration enforcement powers but modifies court procedures for handling ICE requests related to public safety. The bill focuses on concrete procedural changes within existing legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 2064) would require employers in Massachusetts to provide eligible employees with paid or unpaid leave following the death of a child. It directly affects workers who experience the loss of a child, expanding existing bereavement leave policies beyond immediate family members like spouses or parents. The key provision mandates that employers grant this specific leave, though the exact duration and pay structure are not detailed in the abstract. The bill is filed under the Labor and Workforce Development committee, indicating it aims to update workplace protections for grieving employees.

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 488) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to the Community Preservation Trust Fund. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.