Rep. Carole Fiola

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive educational diversion program to address the legal and social consequences of adolescents sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. It requires the Attorney General to create this curriculum in collaboration with state education and youth services departments, which will be used to divert minors from court proceedings if they are charged with related offenses. The program also mandates that schools integrate media literacy instruction using the same materials to help students understand the risks of online image sharing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal definition of abuse to include coercive control and increases fines for certain offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts higher education institutions to use blockchain or distributed ledger technology for maintaining student records. The change is made to the state's existing education laws to give the state board permission to approve such proposals. Directly affected parties include colleges and universities that may wish to adopt these new digital record-keeping systems. The legislation does not mandate the use of this technology but simply removes a legal barrier for its adoption if approved by the board.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for loan repayment programs designed to attract behavioral health professionals to work in underserved areas. Specifically, it allows these professionals to qualify for repayment if they work at acute care hospitals that received special Medicaid funding in 2022, in addition to existing psychiatric and general hospitals. The change aims to broaden the range of facilities where clinicians can serve while still receiving financial assistance for their education. By updating the list of qualifying employers, the legislation seeks to increase the availability of mental health and substance use services in communities that need them most.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act to clarify how legal representatives can access a deceased person's email and other digital accounts. It defines key terms such as "digital asset," "custodian," and "fiduciary" to create a clear framework for managing electronic records after death. The law allows designated recipients, agents, conservators, and personal representatives to access digital assets unless the user has explicitly restricted access through an online tool provided by the service. By amending state law, the bill gives legal standing to these representatives while respecting a user's specific instructions regarding privacy and data disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide registry in Massachusetts to track individuals convicted of animal abuse crimes. Under the new law, anyone aged 18 or older found guilty of violating animal cruelty statutes must register with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services within ten days of their conviction or release from prison. The registry will collect personal details such as the offender's name, address, crime description, and a photograph, and the registrant must pay an annual $50 fee to cover administrative costs. Convicted individuals must update their information if their address changes or submit an annual update, with the registration requirement lasting for five years or longer if additional convictions occur.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the number of associate justices in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court from 11 to 19. By amending the state's General Laws, the legislation aims to add eight additional judges to the court system. The change is intended to improve the administration of justice by expanding judicial capacity within these specific courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Youth Restorative Justice Fund to support programs that divert first-time juvenile offenders from the traditional court system. Money generated from the seizure of property related to minor crimes will be split, with a significant portion directed to this new fund to expand restorative justice initiatives. The secretary of public safety will manage the fund to provide annual grants to youth courts and diversion programs, which use community-based volunteers to resolve cases instead of formal prosecution. To ensure transparency, the bill requires these programs to submit annual financial reports and mandates that law enforcement agencies publicly report how much money is collected and spent each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts law to require a fresh, complete review of certain disciplinary decisions made by the Board of Registration of Psychologists, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists. Specifically, it mandates that appeals for suspensions longer than two weeks or total decertifications be examined de novo, meaning the reviewing body will consider the case anew rather than just reviewing the original decision. The change directly affects licensed mental health professionals facing severe disciplinary actions and the administrative bodies responsible for overseeing their conduct. By ensuring a full re-examination of these serious cases, the legislation aims to strengthen procedural fairness within the existing legal framework for professional licensing.

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 allows candidates running for public office in Massachusetts to use campaign funds to pay for child care services during campaign activities. It defines child care to include babysitting from various providers and permits payments to family members only if they operate a professional daycare or charge market rates. The legislation also requires the director of campaign finance to create specific regulations governing these expenses by December 31, 2023.