Rep. Brad Jones

Maddy summaryHD 1315 (An Act relative to school bus stop safety) actually prohibits level 2 or 3 sex offenders from remaining within 500 feet of designated school bus stops for more than 15 minutes. This applies to sex offenders required to register, with an exception allowing parents or legal guardians to stay longer while waiting for their child to board or alight. Violations carry escalating penalties: $500 for a first offense, up to $1,500 and 2.5 years in jail for third offenses. The bill directly affects registered sex offenders and requires law enforcement to notify the sex offender registry board of violations.

Maddy summaryHD 1333 requires anyone with care of a child under 14 (including parents, guardians, or childcare staff) to report a deceased child to law enforcement within 2 hours or a missing child within 5 days. Failure to report under these circumstances - when there is intent to mislead officials, impede an investigation, or actually obstruct one - triggers criminal penalties. Offenders face up to 10 years in state prison or 2.5 years in a house of correction for either violation. The bill directly affects caregivers in homes, institutions, or families responsible for children under 14, aiming to ensure timely reporting of critical incidents.

Maddy summaryHD 894 prohibits research institutions and product testing facilities from separating infant nonhuman primates (such as monkeys) from their biological mothers for research or testing purposes, except when medically necessary for the health of either animal. If separation occurs for medical reasons, facilities must minimize distress without sedatives or restraint and reunite mother and infant as soon as possible. The law applies to facilities testing products like cosmetics, drugs, or medical devices and covers the first 12 months of an infant’s life. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health must create implementing regulations within 90 days of the bill’s passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to update the definition of "invite" in the context of enticement of children online. It adds specific communication methods - such as instant messaging, email, phone calls, and postal mail - to the existing legal definition. The change directly affects how law enforcement and courts interpret and apply the enticement statute. It does not create new penalties or programs but ensures the law covers modern digital communication channels used to contact minors. (Procedural amendment; 2 sentences)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory post-release supervision for most individuals released from prison in Massachusetts. It requires a period equal to 25% of their maximum prison sentence (minimum nine months) for those sentenced to incarceration, excluding people on probation, parole, or lifetime community parole. Supervision is managed by the probation office for short sentences (under one year) or the parole board for longer sentences, with early termination possible after nine months under specific conditions like stable housing and employment. Violations can lead to increased supervision, short jail terms, or extended supervision periods, but do not automatically trigger new criminal charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to ensure juvenile offenders make restitution to victims of their crimes. It mandates that courts order juveniles to repair, replace, or pay for damage caused by their actions, and makes restitution a condition for release, placement, or parole. Courts may also collect restitution directly through limited fines, wage withholdings, or other court-approved collection methods, with payments then given to the victim. The law directly affects juvenile offenders and crime victims in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill (HD 1346) requires businesses or entities paying a defendant in a criminal case to report the agreement to the Attorney General's Victim Compensation Division within 30 days and post a bond equal to the payment amount. It defines "proceeds of crime" as money or assets gained through a defendant's criminal activity, and mandates that payments must be "substantially related" to the crime (e.g., leveraging notoriety from the crime) to trigger the reporting and bonding requirements. The division notifies victims, holds the bond to potentially cover victim compensation, and allows victims to sue for damages within three years. It directly affects businesses, media, or individuals contracting with defendants, ensuring potential criminal proceeds benefit victims rather than the defendant.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires law enforcement to impound vehicles for at least 12 hours when a person is arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). It mandates that officers provide a written warning to anyone summoned to transport the arrestee, explaining potential criminal and civil liability if they allow the impaired person to drive. Vehicles can only be released if the owner presents a valid license, proof of insurance, or meets other conditions set by law enforcement. The law directly affects individuals who arrange transportation for DUI arrestees and requires law enforcement agencies to follow specific procedures for vehicle impoundment and release.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a Massachusetts statute to expand the legal definition of prohibited relationships in incest laws. It adds "affinity or adoption" after "consanguinity" in Section 17 of Chapter 272, meaning the law will now explicitly cover relationships formed through marriage (affinity) and adopted family ties. The change directly affects how incest cases are legally defined and prosecuted under current state law. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage, updating the statutory language without creating new requirements or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how social media platforms use intermittent variable rewards (like unpredictable likes or notifications) and other tactics to influence user behavior, particularly focusing on their impact on adolescents. The commission, composed of legislative leaders and state officials (including mental health and public health representatives), will examine whether these strategies are psychologically manipulative. It must submit a report with findings and recommendations to both legislative chambers within one year of the bill's passage. The bill itself does not enact new laws or regulations but creates a study group to gather information on this specific issue.