Rep. Carol Doherty

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to allow first responders, such as police and firefighters, to provide naloxone and instructions for its use to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose based on their professional judgment. It also grants legal protection to individuals who, in good faith, use testing equipment like fentanyl strips to check the purity of drugs, shielding them from charges related to possession or paraphernalia. Additionally, the legislation mandates that standard first aid training include specific instruction on how to administer naloxone to address opioid emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to require public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to prioritize admissions and financial aid for specific groups of students. It directly affects applicants who are orphans, whose parents' rights were terminated due to abuse or neglect, or who have been legally adopted by a close blood relative or assigned a permanent legal guardian. The key provision mandates that these institutions identify and give priority to these students when making decisions about enrollment and scholarships. By establishing this preference, the legislation aims to ensure these vulnerable populations receive special consideration in the college application process.

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).

Senate, June 6,2024 -- The committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 68) of Joanne M. Comerford, Sean Garballey and Vanna Howard for legislation to establish a bill of rights for children in foster care; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 164) of Michael J. Finn and others relative to establishing a bill of rights for children in foster care, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2803).

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 restrict visitation and custody rights for parents convicted of or facing charges for specific sexual offenses against their children. It directly affects cases where a parent has been found guilty or cleared without a finding of crimes such as rape or incest, preventing them from automatically obtaining court-ordered access to a child conceived during the crime. The legislation establishes that these parents can only gain visitation or custody if a judge determines it is in the child's best interests and the mother explicitly agrees to the arrangement. Importantly, the bill clarifies that denying parental rights does not stop the perpetrator from being ordered to pay child support or from the child inheriting from them. It also ensures that a lack of conviction does not automatically prove the crime did not happen, requiring clear and convincing evidence for any legal determination.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for sexual assault survivors by expanding the types of harassment covered under Massachusetts harassment laws to include specific sexual offenses. It allows courts to issue orders requiring defendants to stay away from victims' homes and workplaces and mandates that defendants pay for losses such as medical bills, property damage, and attorney fees. A key provision requires the immediate suspension of a defendant's firearm license and the surrender of all weapons if there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive relief and safety measures for individuals affected by sexual violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from granting visitation or custody rights to a parent convicted of rape to their child conceived during the crime. The law affects cases where a convicted rapist seeks contact with the victim's child and directly impacts the legal rights of both the convicted parent and the child. Under this measure, a court cannot order visitation unless the child has reached the age of 18 or has been legally declared emancipated from the other parent. This change ensures that the child's autonomy is prioritized by allowing them to decide on contact with the convicted parent once they are an adult or independent. The provision applies specifically to convictions under Massachusetts statutes related to rape and the conception of the child during the offense.

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 prohibits registered sex offenders in Massachusetts from legally changing their names or using any name other than the one they registered under. It directly affects individuals listed on the state sex offender registry by amending existing laws to forbid name changes through official channels and prevent them from adopting new surnames in marriage. The legislation also ensures that failing to use the registered name is treated as a violation of registration requirements. By restricting name changes, the bill aims to maintain the accuracy of public records and ensure that the community can easily identify registered offenders.