Rep. Patrick Kearney

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 modifies the rules for sex offenders in Massachusetts who wish to request a change in their registry classification. It requires these individuals to prove by clear and convincing evidence that their risk of re-offending and danger to the public has decreased. The Sex Offender Registry Board will use this higher standard of proof and may consider past decisions when evaluating these requests.

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 proposes to ban the possession, sale, and use of child sex dolls in Massachusetts. It defines these items as anatomically correct dolls or robots that resemble minors and are intended for sexual acts. The law would impose fines of up to $10,000 and prison sentences of up to five years for a first offense, with harsher penalties of up to ten years for subsequent violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow homeowners to rent out accessory dwelling units without being subject to state discrimination protections that typically apply to other residential leases. The legislation specifically affects owners of these secondary living spaces, granting them the legal ability to choose tenants based on their own preferences rather than adhering to standard fair housing rules. However, the law includes a provision that requires the owner to offer the unit to an immediate family member first, only waiving discrimination protections if no family member chooses to rent it.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime called drug-induced homicide, which allows prosecutors to charge individuals with up to life in prison if they knowingly distribute Class A controlled substances that result in a death. It includes a provision protecting people from prosecution if they seek medical help for an overdose in good faith without intent to defraud. The legislation also establishes a permanent commission made up of government officials, legal experts, and community members to oversee the law's implementation, review convictions, and ensure sentencing remains flexible without mandatory minimums. This commission will meet regularly to assess the law's effectiveness and provide recommendations for improvements to the governor and other state leaders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Private Flood Insurance Act to allow private insurers to offer new flood coverage options alongside the existing National Flood Insurance Program. It defines what counts as flood and mudflow, and establishes two types of private policies: standard policies that match NFIP terms and nonstandard policies that can offer broader or supplemental coverage. The law requires insurers to clearly label their policies as private rather than federal, display deductibles and limits prominently, and file rate information with the state regulator. Additionally, the bill instructs the state commissioner to track and report how many private flood policies are sold each year to monitor market participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to give the Cannabis Control Commission authority to review and approve all billboard advertisements for cannabis products. Under the new rules, the commission would evaluate specific visual and textual elements of these ads, including imagery, dimensions, placement, font size, and required disclaimers before they are displayed. The legislation directly affects businesses that wish to use large outdoor signs to promote cannabis, requiring them to obtain regulatory approval for their ad content. By centralizing approval power, the bill aims to ensure that public-facing cannabis advertising meets standards set by the state commission.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mathew J. Muratore and others for legislation to authorize insurance coverage for prosthetic devices and orthotic devices. Financial Services.

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.