Rep. Jack Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens legal protections for survivors of sexual assault in Massachusetts by expanding the types of crimes that qualify for specific harassment orders. It updates state laws to include sexual offenses such as rape and sexual assault under the existing harassment statutes, allowing victims to seek court orders that require the perpetrator to stay away from their home or workplace. Additionally, the legislation mandates that courts immediately suspend a defendant's firearms license and order the surrender of all guns and ammunition if there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger. These measures aim to provide more comprehensive safety options for survivors while maintaining the ability for defendants to request a quick review of these firearm restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts dog tethering laws to strengthen enforcement by clarifying when a dog is considered unattended and restricting how long dogs can be left outside. It defines "outside and unattended" as a dog exposed to the elements for more than 15 minutes without being in the owner's visual range or physical presence, regardless of whether the dog is in a fenced yard or kennel. The legislation prohibits tethering dogs for longer than five hours or between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and bans chaining or tethering dogs in a way that allows them to leave the property. Additionally, the bill removes exemptions for using pinch or choke collars and shortens the allowable tethering time to fifteen minutes for dogs left unattended.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws regarding sexual relations with minors to create a legal exception for cases where the older partner is no more than two years older than the minor and the minor is at least 13 years old. Under the new rules, individuals charged with these offenses would face reduced penalties or potential immunity if they meet these specific age criteria. The legislation also ensures that if the person accused is a minor themselves, the case must be handled exclusively within the juvenile court system rather than adult court. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing section of the state laws related to this topic.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections against discrimination by government entities by establishing a new section that defines key terms and clarifies how discrimination is evaluated. It explicitly includes "disparate impact" as a form of discrimination, allowing individuals to sue if a government policy disproportionately harms them based on protected characteristics like race or age, even if the policy was not intended to be discriminatory. The legislation requires government agencies to prove that any such policies are necessary, narrowly tailored, and supported by concrete evidence rather than speculation to avoid being found discriminatory. Additionally, it broadens the definition of who can file a claim to include civil rights testing organizations and expands the definition of a "prevailing party" to include those whose lawsuits force a government to change its policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in traveling animal acts such as circuses and carnivals across Massachusetts. It specifically bans these animals from participating in performances where they are transported in mobile facilities like trucks or trailers for the purpose of entertainment. The law applies to individuals and businesses but explicitly excludes animals housed at permanent, non-mobile institutions that do not transport the animals for the event. Violations of this new chapter can result in civil penalties ranging from $500 to $10,000 per animal involved, and enforcement is assigned to state and local law enforcement officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal Bill of Rights for survivors of sexual assault in Massachusetts to ensure they receive consistent support and information during medical and legal interactions. It guarantees that survivors can have a counselor and a support person present during medical exams or police interviews, regardless of whether they choose to report the crime or pursue prosecution. The legislation also mandates that medical providers inform survivors of their rights and provide emergency contraception at no cost if applicable. Additionally, it ensures that the costs for the medical examination portion of a forensic kit are never charged to the survivor.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate how people falsely claim to have service animals. The commission will consist of fifteen members, including officials from the state judiciary, police, disability offices, and advocacy groups for both service animals and other types of pets. Its primary task is to study the issue of misrepresentation and make recommendations on how to address it.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding service animals and establish a formal process for verifying their legitimate status. It creates a new section in the state's general laws to define terms like "service dog" and "service-dog-in-training" based on federal standards, while explicitly protecting business owners from misrepresentation. A key provision requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute a verification decal for businesses to display in their windows or doors. This decal will be created in collaboration with national service dog organizations, restaurant owner associations, and business owner associations to help identify legitimate service animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to increase transparency regarding who owns nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. It requires the state to publicly identify any individual, trust, or company that owns five percent or more of a facility or holds a controlling interest in it. The legislation applies to all licensed long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, rest homes, and intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities. By defining "owner" more broadly and mandating disclosure, the bill aims to make ownership information accessible to the public rather than keeping it within private records.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to create and enforce a mandatory infection control training program for all personal care attendants and home care agency employees who provide services in a client's home. The training must be developed in consultation with state agencies and public stakeholders, and the office is tasked with contracting with labor-management funds, community colleges, and other qualified entities to deliver the curriculum. The law defines home care agencies specifically to include private and non-profit organizations providing compensated residential care, while explicitly excluding government-run programs, hospice, adult foster care, and entities that only offer house cleaning. The Executive Office must establish this mandatory training program within 180 days of the bill's passage.