Rep. Steve Xiarhos

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new crime of capital murder in Massachusetts specifically for the intentional killing of law enforcement officers, including correction officers, police, sheriffs, and deputy sheriffs. It applies to adults who kill these officers while they are working or as retaliation for their work, or whose deaths result from reckless violent acts. If convicted, the offender would face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The legislation also establishes a mandatory pre-sentence hearing where a jury reviews aggravating and mitigating factors to determine the final punishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the fees charged by court stenographers and transcribers in Massachusetts for providing trial transcripts. It directly affects attorneys, judges, and parties involved in legal proceedings who request these official records. The legislation sets a standard rate of $4.00 per page for the original transcript and $1.50 per page for additional copies, while establishing a lower rate of $0.35 per page for indigent individuals and their counsel. Furthermore, it adjusts the daily copy rates to $5.75 for the original and $2.25 for extras, ensuring that all transactions meet a minimum payment of $20.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to study whether Massachusetts should establish a statewide registry for individuals convicted of selling or trafficking specific class A drugs. The commission will examine various aspects of such a system, including which crimes qualify for registration, how to protect the legal rights of those listed, how to share information with law enforcement, and how to handle cases involving homeless people or minors. The thirteen-member panel includes state officials and appointed representatives from both political parties, who must submit their findings and draft laws within nine months of the bill taking effect.

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 proposes to increase the standard bail fees charged in Massachusetts courts from $40 to $60 and from $50 to $70. It directly affects individuals who are required to post cash bail to secure their release while awaiting trial. The legislation achieves this change by amending specific lines in an existing state law to reflect the new fee amounts.

By Representatives Hawkins of Attleboro and Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James K. Hawkins and Steven George Xiarhos relative to liability for damage caused by dogs. The Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. The change updates Chapter 151B to clarify that the term refers to hatred toward Jews and includes specific descriptions of how such hatred can be expressed through rhetoric or actions against individuals, property, and community institutions. By incorporating this external standard, the legislation provides a consistent framework for identifying antisemitism within the state's legal and administrative contexts.

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.

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 establishes a special commission in Massachusetts to evaluate how the state supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The commission will include representatives from various government agencies, advocacy groups, and two survivors of domestic abuse to review current resources and safety measures. Its main task is to analyze how well probation departments protect victims, assess barriers related to income, and explore creating a tool for victims to report misconduct by probation officers. The group must hold its first meeting by December 1, 2023, and submit a final report with recommendations by December 1, 2024.