Rep. Russell Holmes

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special legislative commission to study ways to increase racial diversity among judges in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of 15 members, including representatives from various legislative caucuses, government agencies, and legal organizations, with a specific requirement that governor-appointed members reflect the state's population demographics regarding gender and race. The group is tasked with evaluating the current state of diversity in the judiciary, assessing the impact of potential legislative actions, and developing recommendations for improving representation. The commission must submit its findings and proposals by December 31, 2024, to state officials.

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 restores the furlough program for incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts, allowing them to leave correctional facilities for short periods under specific conditions. The law permits offenders to be away from prison for up to seven days at a time, with a maximum of 14 days within any 12-month period, for purposes such as attending funerals, visiting critically ill relatives, seeking employment, or securing housing upon release. Eligibility extends to those serving life sentences or serious crimes, provided the facility superintendent recommends the move and the state commissioner approves it. During these authorized absences, the individuals remain under the facility's custody, and the time spent outside counts toward their sentence, with travel expenses covered by the correctional facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law known as the Internet Bill of Rights to protect individuals' personal data. It creates a comprehensive legal framework that defines key terms like biometric data, consent, and controllers, and sets rules for how organizations can collect and share information. The legislation aims to ensure that personal data processing is transparent, lawful, and respects the privacy rights of data subjects within the state. By adding these definitions and standards to the General Laws, the bill provides a formal basis for regulating how both local and foreign entities handle citizen information.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts to petition their original sentencing judge for a sentence reduction after serving a minimum number of years in custody. Eligibility depends on the person's age at the time of the offense, requiring at least 10 years served for those who were 25 or younger and 12 years for those 26 or older, with longer wait times of 15 and 18 years respectively for crimes involving loss of life. The law mandates that the Department of Correction notify eligible inmates about this option after 9 and 14 years in custody and requires the court to provide specific reasons for denying any petition. If a petition is denied, the individual must wait at least two years before filing again, though the judge can extend this waiting period up to five years and set specific criteria the inmate must meet to be eligible for a subsequent review.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change how Massachusetts sentences individuals convicted of felony murder, a crime where a death occurs during the commission of another serious offense. Under the new rules, anyone found guilty of such a crime would receive a prison term between 15 and 25 years, or life imprisonment, unless they can prove the killing involved deliberate premeditation or extreme cruelty. This change applies to both people currently on trial for these crimes and those who have already been convicted. The legislation aims to create more consistent sentencing standards for felony murder cases by removing the previous automatic death penalty or life sentence requirement for these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws regarding joint venture murder to ensure that individuals who personally commit a killing during a felony are treated as principal perpetrators rather than accessories. It clarifies that such killings constitute first-degree murder if the actor acts with the same malice and forethought as required for standalone murder, while also defining separate sentencing guidelines for those who only aid or encourage the killing without personally committing it. The legislation applies retroactively to anyone charged or convicted before, on, or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Correctional Oversight Office to help implement recommendations from the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The new office will focus on addressing four specific forms of racism identified in the legislation: institutional policies, systemic interactions between agencies, interpersonal treatment, and internalized biases affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. By establishing this office, the state aims to improve transparency and equity in areas such as healthcare access, job training, and data tracking for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The law also defines key terms like "correctional facility" and "correctional community members" to ensure clear application of these oversight measures.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Massachusetts Secure Choice Savings Program, a state-run retirement savings initiative designed for private-sector employees who currently lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. The program primarily affects employers with at least 25 employees and at least two years of operation that have not offered a qualified retirement plan in the past two years, as well as smaller employers who may opt in. Key provisions include creating a new board to administer the program and setting up a trust fund to hold individual retirement accounts funded through automatic payroll deductions. The legislation defines specific terms related to employees, wages, and eligible employers to ensure clarity in participation requirements and operational procedures.