Rep. Colleen Garry

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with a specific focus on investigating the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission will be led by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and include a diverse group of 17 appointed members representing medical institutions, veterans' organizations, law enforcement, emergency services, and advocacy groups for various populations. Its primary duties involve creating annual reports on research and treatment advances, monitoring statewide PTSD services, and developing a strategic plan to improve diagnosis, care, and public awareness. Additionally, the commission is tasked with submitting its recommendations to the Governor and state legislature every year by December 31.

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3321) of Colleen M. Garry relative to commuter rail expansion. Transportation.

Senate, June 6, 23024 -- The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 71) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to minimize trauma to children and families; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 80) of Ryan C. Fattman, Diana Dizoglio, Kay Khan, David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and other members of the General Court for legislation to create an electronic backpack for foster children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 120) of Susan L. Moran, Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to eliminate disproportionality and inequities for at-risk children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 124) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Michael J. Finn, Lydia Edwards, Patrick M. O'Connor and others for legislation to enhance child welfare protections; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 153) of Paul J. Donato and others that the Child Advocate report on disproportionality and inequity in services provided by child-serving state entities; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 156) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others relative to the powers of the Child Advocate to appear, intervene in or bring actions on behalf the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 165) of Michael J. Finn and others relative to the appointment of an education manager to support educational stability and success for elementary and secondary school students under the care of the Department of Children and Families; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 175) of Denise C. Garlick and Patrick Joseph Kearney for legislation to provide educational stability for vulnerable children; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 190) of Kay Khan, David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and others for legislation to authorize the Department of Children and Families to establish an electronic repository of foster youths educational records; (accompanied by bill, House, No. 195) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Bud L. Williams and Vanna Howard relative to educational support for children in foster care; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 204) of Joan Meschino and others relative to minimizing trauma to court-involved children and families, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2804).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts courts to consider whether a non-custodial parent can and wants to provide childcare when issuing child support orders. It applies to both divorce cases and situations involving children born out of wedlock. The law mandates that if the non-custodial parent is available, capable, and desires to help, the court must include provisions allowing them to provide care, while explicitly forbidding them from entering the custodial parent's home to do so. Additionally, any change in a non-custodial parent's ability to provide childcare is treated as a significant change in circumstances that allows existing support orders to be modified.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits registered sex offenders from entering any public or private school property for any reason. It adds a new section to Chapter 265 of the Massachusetts General Laws that allows police officers to arrest offenders without a warrant if they have probable cause of a violation. Those found guilty of breaking this rule face penalties of up to two and a half years in the house of correction, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law directly impacts individuals listed on the state sex offender registry and school administrators responsible for enforcing access restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to impose stricter penalties on parents, guardians, or caretakers who fail to report missing or deceased children under 16 to authorities. Specifically, it mandates that anyone who willfully neglects to contact law enforcement about a missing child within 48 hours faces up to five years in state prison. Additionally, those who know a child has died but do not notify authorities within one hour could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or fined up to $10,000 with up to two and a half years in a house of correction. The legislation aims to ensure timely reporting of child safety incidents by establishing clear legal consequences for failure to act.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes stricter penalties for individuals who intentionally block public roads or highways during protests specifically aimed at stopping others from passing. Under the new law, anyone convicted of this act could face up to ten years in state prison or a fine of up to one thousand dollars, or alternatively, up to two and a half years in jail or a house of correction. The legislation applies to any person engaging in such actions, regardless of other existing laws or regulations. It focuses on the specific intent to prevent passage while obstructing a roadway.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to establish specific penalties for stealing large reusable containers, such as those used for milk, eggs, and beverages, from retail stores. It directly affects individuals who intentionally remove these containers without the merchant's consent with the goal of keeping them permanently. Under the new provisions, first-time offenders face fines up to $100, while repeat offenders can be fined up to $500 or jailed for up to six months. If the total value of the stolen containers reaches $100 or more, the penalties increase to fines of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires wireless carriers and in-vehicle security providers to immediately share the location of a user's mobile device with law enforcement when responding to emergency calls, assisting in missing person investigations, or addressing situations involving death or serious physical harm. To facilitate these requests, the state's public safety office must maintain a database of carrier contact information and release it to public safety agencies upon demand. The legislation also grants carriers immunity from lawsuits if they share location data in good faith while following the law's provisions. Additionally, the public safety office is tasked with creating regulations to enforce these requirements by the end of 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to strengthen penalties for concealing a child's death and for the sale or purchase of minor children. Under the new provisions, anyone who hides a child's death to prevent determining if the child was born alive or murdered could face up to five years in state prison or two and a half years in a house of correction. Additionally, the bill criminalizes trading, selling, or arranging the sale of a minor child for money or property, as well as receiving a child in exchange for such value, with similar maximum penalties. These changes directly affect individuals involved in these specific acts and update the state's criminal code to address these offenses more explicitly.