Rep. Natalie Higgins

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to clarify the powers of courts and the Department of Children and Families regarding custody and care for children involved in legal proceedings. It grants judges the authority to independently order a child's placement in a specific home or program and to mandate visitation schedules between the child and their family members without waiting for objections from parents or guardians. Additionally, the legislation changes how evidence is handled by allowing neutral investigators to submit sworn reports and permitting foster parents to testify about a child's welfare after caring for them for at least six months. These changes aim to streamline administrative processes and ensure that decisions about a child's living situation and family contact are made quickly based on the child's best interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law to more clearly define and penalize the unauthorized recording of individuals in private or intimate situations, commonly referred to as "upskirting." It directly affects anyone who secretly photographs, videotapes, or uses electronic devices to view another person's visual image without their consent. The legislation establishes specific definitions for terms like "electronically surveils," "partially nude," and "sexual or other intimate parts" to ensure the law covers various scenarios involving privacy violations. Under the new provisions, offenders face fines and potential jail time, with harsher penalties applying if the victim is a minor or otherwise incompetent. The bill also clarifies that a victim's actual knowledge and consent serve as a legal defense against these charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow courts to sell vacant residential properties to nonprofit organizations when a receiver is appointed. The sale must occur at fair market value and is only permitted if the court determines the nonprofit has the expertise to fix all sanitary code violations and rehabilitate the home for affordable sale to a first-time homebuyer earning no more than 120 percent of the median income. The process includes a mandatory waiting period that gives property owners and mortgage lenders a chance to propose fixing the code violations themselves, which would pause the sale.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws regarding sexual relations between young adults and minors to reduce criminal penalties in specific circumstances. It creates an exception where individuals are not prosecuted if they are no more than two years older than the minor and the minor is at least 13 years old. Additionally, the bill mandates that cases involving defendants under the age of criminal majority must be handled exclusively in juvenile court rather than adult court. Finally, it repeals an existing statute that previously addressed similar situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to remove two specific sections of Massachusetts law that currently prohibit certain acts performed with other people or animals. By repealing these sections, the legislation aims to eliminate legal restrictions that critics argue are rooted in homophobia and transphobia. The change would directly affect individuals who might otherwise face criminal penalties under these repealed statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect individuals' rights by automatically sealing criminal records for charges that did not result in a conviction or a guilty plea, thereby reducing long-term barriers to employment and housing. It specifically requires the sealing of records for adults and juveniles who are not found guilty or who have completed their court-ordered conditions, removing the need for them to file separate petitions to clear their names. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that a "continuation without a finding" does not count as a conviction and mandates that background check providers inform requestors that the presumption of innocence applies to pending or non-convicted cases. These changes directly affect people with criminal records by limiting the collateral consequences of charges that were not proven in court.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to define specific terms related to foreclosed properties and establish rules for tenants living in homes that have been taken back by lenders. It creates new legal definitions for entities like "foreclosing owners" and "fair market rent" to clarify who is subject to the new regulations. The legislation also sets strict conditions under which a foreclosing owner can evict a tenant, such as requiring proof of non-payment or lease violations, while ensuring tenants are offered rent amounts comparable to local market rates. By clarifying these procedures, the bill aims to prevent unnecessary vacancies in homes that have gone through foreclosure proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts courts to automatically seal criminal and juvenile records related to the possession, cultivation, or distribution of small amounts of marijuana that were previously decriminalized by state law. It also directs the state to use available funds to create a uniform, digital system for managing these records, ensuring that such information is automatically hidden from public view when penalties are removed. The legislation directly affects individuals with past low-level cannabis charges and the court system responsible for maintaining those files. By mandating automatic sealing, the bill aims to reduce the long-term legal and social consequences for people with these specific non-violent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Real Estate Title Protection Act, aims to clarify and protect property ownership records in Massachusetts by establishing specific definitions for terms like "mortgage," "lender," and "affidavit." It requires that legal documents used to transfer or release mortgages include sworn statements and complete copies of supporting records to ensure accuracy in public registries. The legislation also mandates that the new rules override conflicting existing laws and sets out criminal penalties for certain foreclosure-related violations. Ultimately, the bill seeks to help homeowners, municipalities, and lenders clearly identify who holds the title to a property and who is responsible for associated debts and taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to extend the time limit for filing workplace discrimination complaints from 300 days to three years. It directly affects employees who wish to report discrimination and the agencies that process these claims. By changing the deadline, the legislation gives workers more time to seek justice after experiencing unfair treatment at work. The change applies to complaints filed under Chapter 151B of the General Laws.