Rep. Marjorie Decker

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that legal parentage rights apply equally to all families, regardless of the parents' gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. It replaces gender-specific terms like "father" and "mother" with neutral language such as "other parent" and "person who gave birth," while also changing "paternity" to "parentage" throughout the statutes. The legislation introduces new definitions for various family arrangements, including surrogacy and assisted reproduction, to clarify how different types of parents are recognized under the law. By amending existing chapters on birth certificates and family law, the bill aims to provide consistent legal protections for children born through diverse circumstances, including those resulting from surrogacy or non-marital births.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Commission to publish an annual report analyzing disparities in mental health and substance use treatment across the state. The report must examine differences in access to care, workforce diversity, and service availability among various groups defined by race, sexual orientation, gender identity, income, and other factors. Additionally, the legislation mandates an investigation into how current funding and insurance systems support evidence-based treatments and whether the mental health workforce is culturally competent. The findings will be shared with state health officials and legislative leaders to inform future policy improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers supervision of mental health services for prisoners from the Department of Correction to the Commissioner of Mental Health. Under the new rules, the Commissioner will review and approve all contracts related to inmate mental care and set minimum standards for how these services are delivered. Additionally, the Commissioner must audit every state correctional facility and House of Correction at least twice a year to ensure compliance with these standards. The legislation also requires the collection of specific data on service provision to help secure federal funding for prisoners with mental health needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts, probation officers, parole officers, and correctional facilities to inform individuals convicted of felonies about their right to vote in Massachusetts. It mandates that these officials provide written details on voter eligibility and registration, along with a written confirmation from the individual that they received this information. The law also applies retroactively to people who were convicted of felonies within the last ten years but are not currently in prison. By establishing these notification duties, the legislation aims to ensure that formerly incarcerated people are aware of their voting status and can register if eligible.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to ban the manufacturing and assembly of assault weapons and large capacity feeding devices within the state. It directly affects individuals and businesses attempting to produce these firearms, while explicitly exempting licensed manufacturers who create them solely for authorized law enforcement, military, or foreign government agencies. Violators of the new prohibition face severe penalties, including fines ranging from $1,000 to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for one to ten years. The legislation aims to prevent the creation of these specific firearms by targeting the production process rather than restricting ownership of already existing weapons.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require courts to order the immediate suspension of firearm licenses and the surrender of all guns and ammunition when a harassment prevention order is issued or extended. It applies specifically to defendants who have been found to pose an immediate danger of harassment, ensuring law enforcement takes possession of these items to prevent potential harm. The legislation also mandates that courts report these orders to the state's criminal justice information system and provides a process for defendants to request a quick review if they claim a firearm is needed for their job. Violating these surrender orders could result in fines or imprisonment, while the law allows surrendered weapons to be handled only by licensed dealers.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law to clarify how courts should define and apply the concept of a child's best interest in family and probate cases. It introduces specific definitions for shared versus sole decision-making and residential responsibilities, requiring parents to submit detailed parenting plans that outline schedules for education, healthcare, and dispute resolution. The legislation removes previous legal presumptions favoring shared custody, instead mandating that judges make orders based on the unique circumstances of each case without assuming one arrangement is better than the other. Additionally, it establishes a temporary rule granting both parents equal legal custody at the start of a case unless there is evidence of abuse or neglect, while requiring written justification if a judge orders shared responsibility despite existing protective orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how Massachusetts toll collection systems can use data from electronic devices like transponders and GPS. It prohibits using this information for any purpose other than charging tolls and forbids sharing it with law enforcement without a valid warrant. The law also makes illegally obtained data inadmissible in court and allows individuals to sue for damages if their privacy is violated. While it generally requires a warrant for access, it permits emergency exceptions where there is an immediate threat of death or serious injury, provided officials document the emergency within 48 hours.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the rights of crime victims in Massachusetts by broadening the definition of who qualifies as a victim to include grandparents, stepparents, and those in marriage-like relationships. It ensures that victims of violent crimes receive services even when no formal charges have been filed and clarifies that these services apply to various stages of the legal process. The legislation also mandates that victims be notified of key events such as probation violations and sex offender classification hearings, granting them the right to submit impact statements during sentencing and parole decisions. Additionally, the bill requires courts to delay sentencing by at least one business day if a victim is not present, allowing them the opportunity to be heard about the crime's effects. These changes aim to increase victim involvement and awareness throughout the criminal justice system without altering the core legal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal mechanism in Massachusetts that allows certain construction companies and labor organizations to sue other construction firms for wage theft. The law defines "wage non-payment" as failing to pay workers according to state statutes or contract agreements and permits these "interested parties" to file lawsuits on behalf of unpaid employees. By enabling these private entities to act as private attorneys general, the legislation aims to enforce wage laws and prevent unfair competition where dishonest bidders undercut honest employers by not paying their workers.