By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2495) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to health insurance benefits for certain surviving spouses. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 15-member commission to study and propose a reparations program for descendants of enslaved people in Massachusetts. The commission will investigate the lasting harms of slavery and systemic racism, including the racial wealth gap, and consider various forms of redress such as cash payments, tuition assistance, and tax credits. Members will be appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and civil rights organizations, with a preference for individuals who have verified familial connections to American Freedmen. Within two years, the commission must submit a report with its findings and draft legislation to the state legislature for further action.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to broaden the scope of medical protections and definitions related to abortion care. It changes language to include individuals at risk of infection rather than those who have already been exposed and expands the definition of abortion-related services to include prevention measures. The legislation also clarifies that a doctor's conscientious objection cannot be used to deny care if the procedure is necessary to save a patient's life and no other staff are available. Additionally, it updates legal terminology to refer to a wider range of licensed health professionals, such as nurse practitioners and midwives, as qualified providers for these services.
Maddy summaryThis bill raises the age of criminal majority in Massachusetts from 18 to 21, meaning individuals aged 18 and 19 would no longer be treated as adults within the criminal justice system. The legislation updates various state laws to replace the specific age of 18 with the term "criminal majority," ensuring consistency across different legal contexts. By extending juvenile protections to 21-year-olds, the measure aims to provide better outcomes for young adults and promote public safety.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of individuals in Massachusetts to request the permanent removal of their juvenile and young adult criminal records from public access. It directly affects people who were processed as delinquents or youthful offenders by allowing them to petition for expungement even if they have more than two prior records, provided those records did not result in an adjudication or conviction. The legislation also extends the time limits for filing these petitions, permitting requests for felony offenses if they occurred at least seven years ago and for misdemeanors if they occurred at least three years ago. Additionally, the bill clarifies that expunged records must be permanently erased so they are no longer accessible to courts or agencies, though anonymized data may be kept for statistical and research purposes.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires major policy makers in Massachusetts to publicly disclose financial contributions made to specific organizations that engage in political activities. It applies to individuals in key government roles, regardless of whether they are paid, and targets donations given to tax-exempt groups or limited liability corporations that support or oppose candidates, ballot measures, or make electioneering communications. The law mandates that these disclosures be reported to the office of campaign and political finance for any transfer of money or value exceeding $1,000. Additionally, political committees must report the names of major policy makers who make such contributions to these entities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Secretary of the State to create a single set of forms for all mail-in voting, eliminating the current distinction between early voting ballots and ballots cast by absent voters. By mandating that applications, instructions, ballot styles, and envelopes be identical regardless of the voting method, the legislation aims to streamline the mail-in voting process for all eligible residents. The change ensures that every voter receives the same materials whether they vote early or on election day, simplifying the administrative handling of mail ballots.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to separate the municipal census process from voter registration in Massachusetts, meaning that failing to respond to a census notice would no longer automatically lead to removal from the voter rolls. Instead of losing voting status, individuals who do not reply to census inquiries would face a monetary fine. The legislation also clarifies the specific legal grounds for removing a voter's name from the register, such as death, incarceration, or moving to a different city or town. By changing these procedures, the bill aims to ensure that non-response to census data collection does not result in the loss of voting rights.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and regional transit authorities to create programs offering free or discounted fares to low-income riders. To establish these programs, the agencies must conduct a detailed analysis of expected ridership, revenue impacts, and costs, while also gathering public input from diverse communities. The legislation requires these authorities to submit their implementation plans and findings to state lawmakers by October 15, 2023. Additionally, the bill allows regional authorities to consider offering completely free fares if that option proves more cost-effective than a means-tested approach.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide housing goal to build 427,000 new units in Massachusetts by 2040, with specific targets for affordable housing for low- and middle-income families. It requires the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development to submit annual reports detailing progress on these goals, including data on market-rate units, accessibility features, senior housing, foreign property purchases, and short-term rentals. Additionally, the bill adds a definition for "bus station" to clarify that it refers to a building with walls and a foundation at the intersection of bus lines, excluding simple shelters.
