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. Brad Jones
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 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 creates a pilot program to offer tuition and fee waivers for Massachusetts residents aged 60 and older attending public colleges and universities. Eligible seniors can enroll in undergraduate courses, summer sessions, or evening classes between July 2023 and June 2024, provided space is available, with a limit of four courses per year. The legislation requires state universities and community colleges to report the lost revenue from these waivers to state officials, who will then transfer funds from the General Fund to cover the cost. The total amount reimbursed during this pilot period will determine the base funding level for making these waivers permanent starting in Fiscal Year 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate how social media impacts the mental health of children in Massachusetts. The commission will include government officials, experts from health and education sectors, advocates for civil liberties, and individuals with personal experience related to cyberbullying and social media use. Its primary task is to study specific risks such as self-harm, online harassment, and sexual exploitation, while also identifying best practices for platforms to protect youth. Ultimately, the group is tasked with recommending a legal framework and developing guidelines to promote safer social media usage for minors.
By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2352) of Meghan Kilcoyne and Paul McMurtry relative to definitions under the emergency medical services system law. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
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.