Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow hospitals to provide short-term treatment for individuals who suffer an opiate-related overdose shortly after receiving a substance abuse evaluation. Specifically, if a patient returns to an acute care facility within seven days of such an evaluation with an overdose or recent naloxone administration, a physician can authorize up to three days of treatment at a designated facility. The measure directly affects emergency departments and patients experiencing acute opioid crises, aiming to facilitate immediate intervention in specific overdose scenarios. By modifying existing regulations, the legislation creates a clear pathway for medical staff to address these urgent health situations without needing separate approval processes.
Rep. Kim Ferguson
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the existing tuition waiver program in Massachusetts to include high school valedictorians from both public and private schools, in addition to current recipients. Under the new provisions, eligible students would receive tuition and mandatory fee waivers for up to four years at qualifying public colleges, with the state government covering the costs rather than the institutions. The measure also clarifies that if a valedictorian does not use their waiver, the benefit will not automatically extend to the salutatorian. These waivers would become available to students graduating from Massachusetts high schools in 2023 or later.
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3353) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to parity with out-of-state driving citations processed in the Commonwealth. Transportation.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to allow first responders, such as police and firefighters, to provide naloxone and instructions for its use to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose based on their professional judgment. It also grants legal protection to individuals who, in good faith, use testing equipment like fentanyl strips to check the purity of drugs, shielding them from charges related to possession or paraphernalia. Additionally, the legislation mandates that standard first aid training include specific instruction on how to administer naloxone to address opioid emergencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special task force to study the economic and educational effects of partnerships between Massachusetts state universities and private companies. The fifteen-member group includes legislators, state agency representatives, and industry experts who will review current laws and identify which job sectors would benefit most from these collaborations. Within twelve months, the task force must submit a report with recommendations on how to fund and regulate such partnerships, potentially including draft legislation for the legislature to consider.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase penalties for anyone who assaults a corrections officer or Department of Corrections staff member while they are working, specifically when the attack causes serious bodily injury. Under the new provisions, offenders face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year in state prison or up to two and a half years in a house of correction, along with a fine between $500 and $10,000. The legislation also restricts post-conviction relief by prohibiting suspended sentences, probation, parole, work release, furloughs, and good conduct time deductions until the mandatory minimum term is served. These changes apply strictly to cases resulting in serious bodily injury, defined as permanent disfigurement, significant loss of function, or substantial risk of death.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to broaden the definition of incest by including relationships based on affinity, such as marriage, and adoption in addition to blood relations. It directly affects individuals accused of or involved in sexual relationships with step-relatives or adopted family members, who would previously not fall under the legal definition of incest. By adding these terms to the statute, the legislation ensures that sexual acts between these newly included categories of relatives are treated as criminal offenses. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage, updating the legal framework without altering penalties or other procedural aspects.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state law requiring businesses that pay incarcerated individuals to report their agreements to the Division of Victim Compensation and Assistance. Companies must submit contracts or summaries of verbal deals within 30 days and post a financial bond to protect victims if the money paid is linked to criminal activity. The law defines crimes as serious offenses punishable by prison time and includes provisions for notifying victims about these financial arrangements. If businesses fail to comply with reporting or bonding requirements, the state can impose civil penalties ranging from the contract value up to three times that amount. These measures aim to ensure that profits derived from criminal behavior are monitored and potentially made available to victims.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a specific exception for private individuals recording conversations when they reasonably fear physical harm. It allows people to secretly record encounters if they are a participant in the conversation, are not working for law enforcement, and have a legitimate fear that the other party intends to hurt them, another person, or themselves. The legislation directly affects private citizens who might otherwise be restricted from secretly recording interactions due to existing wiretapping laws. By adding these conditions, the bill clarifies when self-defense justifies bypassing normal recording prohibitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 14-member commission to calculate the annual expenses of providing court-appointed lawyers for sex offender classification hearings in Massachusetts. The commission will be composed of legislators, the attorney general, the chief justice, and the governor, with specific members selected to ensure diverse representation and expertise in legal procedures. After conducting its financial analysis, the group must submit a report containing cost estimates and potential legislative recommendations to the joint committee on transportation within 12 months. The bill does not change current laws or funding but creates a temporary body to gather data on the financial impact of these legal services.