Rep. Christine Barber

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a moratorium on new construction and expansion for jails and prisons in Massachusetts. It directly affects state and public agencies by prohibiting them from building new facilities, increasing the capacity of existing ones, or converting other buildings for incarceration purposes. The law also restricts renovations and repairs unless they are strictly for maintenance or to meet building code standards. A key provision is that the ban on expanding facilities will remain in effect for five years after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the Department of Correction and local sheriffs provide free voice telephone services to all inmates in Massachusetts correctional facilities, including jails and mental health units. The law requires these communication services to be available at all times, provided they do not disrupt educational programs or daily facility operations. Additionally, the bill ensures that both the incarcerated person and the recipient of the call incur no charges for these calls for a period of 90 days following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a working group to investigate gender-based price discrimination for products marketed specifically to women in Massachusetts. The group will include representatives from the state legislature, consumer protection agencies, the Women's Bar Association, and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Within 30 days of the bill taking effect, the group must meet to study pricing differences based on gender marketing and submit their findings and recommendations to the state legislature by December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal "Bill of Rights" for survivors of sexual assault in Massachusetts, ensuring they receive specific protections during medical exams and legal interviews. The law guarantees that survivors have the right to consult with a sexual assault counselor and bring a support person of their choice to any medical or law enforcement interaction. It also clarifies that these rights remain in effect regardless of whether the survivor chooses to report the crime, seek medical attention, or participate in a criminal prosecution. By codifying these protections, the legislation aims to provide a consistent standard of care and support for victims throughout the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Massachusetts state law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and other subdivisions from entering into, extending, or renewing any contracts with the federal government. The law specifically targets agreements related to civil immigration detention and restricts such partnerships to a maximum of ninety days after the bill takes effect. It empowers the state Attorney General to sue entities that violate these restrictions and allows private citizens to file lawsuits against violators. The legislation aims to limit state involvement in federal immigration enforcement while ensuring that local officers can still perform their standard public safety duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Correctional Oversight Office to help implement recommendations from the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The new office will focus on addressing four specific forms of racism identified in the legislation: institutional policies, systemic interactions between agencies, interpersonal treatment, and internalized biases affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. By establishing this office, the state aims to improve transparency and equity in areas such as healthcare access, job training, and data tracking for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The law also defines key terms like "correctional facility" and "correctional community members" to ensure clear application of these oversight measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring lenders and borrowers to attend supervised mediation conferences. The program applies to loans secured by primary residences, including small rental properties, condominiums, and cooperatives, but excludes government tax or judgment liens. During these conferences, a neutral mediator facilitates a good faith effort between the creditor and borrower to explore sustainable alternatives to foreclosure, such as loan modifications or repayment plans. A key provision mandates that the lender's representative at the conference cannot be the same person representing the lender in any subsequent court foreclosure proceedings. This legislative change aims to establish a structured, non-court process for resolving mortgage disputes before properties are lost.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new license for lactation care providers in Massachusetts to expand access to breastfeeding support. It establishes a new board of allied health professions that includes representatives from various health fields, including the new lactation care providers. To become licensed, individuals must prove good moral character and hold current certification from an accredited program, without needing to pass a separate state exam. The law also adds specific definitions for terms like "lactation care and services" and "breastfeeding equipment" to the state's health codes. These changes allow more people to legally offer professional lactation assistance, while ensuring they meet established national standards for training.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to streamline access to gender-affirming health care by limiting the documentation required from patients. Specifically, it prohibits the state commission, insurance companies, and health care corporations from rejecting a single letter from a qualified mental health professional that confirms the medical necessity of such care. The legislation defines a qualified professional as one who meets the standards set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. By removing barriers related to multiple letters of approval, the bill aims to facilitate easier access to these services for transgender and non-binary individuals.