Rep. Pat Duffy

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow specific low-stakes card and chance games at municipal and town senior centers. It defines "recreational games" as activities where individual winnings do not exceed $20, player contributions are $5 or less, and no one profits from organizing the event. The legislation clarifies that these rules apply only to senior centers and does not authorize the arrest or prosecution of people hosting or playing in such games in public or private settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to allow legal advertisements to be published exclusively on online-only newspapers, removing the previous requirement for a print version. It clarifies that posting notices on both the newspaper's website and a statewide digital platform meets the legal publication standards. Additionally, the legislation protects the validity of legal notices even if minor website errors or temporary outages occur, as long as the notice is ultimately displayed correctly. These changes directly affect lawyers, courts, and the public by modernizing how legal information is disseminated in a digital-first environment.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines the process for sealing criminal and juvenile court records in Massachusetts by mandating that relevant agencies seal eligible records within 90 days of becoming eligible. It directly affects individuals with past criminal or delinquent records, as well as their legal representatives, by removing the requirement to obtain a separate court order to access these sealed documents. The legislation also clarifies that juvenile offenses include cases where the minor was charged as a youthful offender. By enforcing strict timelines and simplifying access procedures, the law aims to make the record sealing process more efficient and less burdensome for applicants.

Maddy summaryStavri's Law requires Massachusetts courts to record specific details about individuals who make suicidal threats or engage in suicidal behavior while in custody. The bill mandates that the court enter the person's name, address, age, reason for detention, and the nature and date of the incident into the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services computer system. This requirement applies to both criminal detainees and individuals involved in civil commitment proceedings related to suicide risks. The law aims to create a centralized record of these incidents to improve tracking and response protocols for at-risk individuals within the justice system.

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 Massachusetts state law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and other subdivisions from entering into, extending, or renewing any contracts with the federal government. The law specifically targets agreements related to civil immigration detention and restricts such partnerships to a maximum of ninety days after the bill takes effect. It empowers the state Attorney General to sue entities that violate these restrictions and allows private citizens to file lawsuits against violators. The legislation aims to limit state involvement in federal immigration enforcement while ensuring that local officers can still perform their standard public safety duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring lenders and borrowers to attend supervised mediation conferences. The program applies to loans secured by primary residences, including small rental properties, condominiums, and cooperatives, but excludes government tax or judgment liens. During these conferences, a neutral mediator facilitates a good faith effort between the creditor and borrower to explore sustainable alternatives to foreclosure, such as loan modifications or repayment plans. A key provision mandates that the lender's representative at the conference cannot be the same person representing the lender in any subsequent court foreclosure proceedings. This legislative change aims to establish a structured, non-court process for resolving mortgage disputes before properties are lost.

By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Joan Meschino and others for legislation to create a climate bank to facilitate innovative financing solutions for climate and clean energy innovations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Financial Services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to update definitions related to neighborhood stabilization and economic development. It specifically revises how "decadent areas," "sub-standard areas," and "projects" are defined to better reflect conditions like property deterioration, foreclosure, and lack of redevelopment potential. The legislation also introduces new terms such as "spot rehabilitation property" and "spot blight project sponsor" to address smaller-scale issues like vacant single-family homes or small commercial buildings. By clarifying these categories, the bill aims to provide a clearer framework for community organizations and redevelopment authorities to identify and revitalize distressed neighborhoods.

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.