By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida that the Boston Retirement Board be authorized to retire Brian C. McPherson, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Public Service.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce E. Tarr, Peter J. Durant, Ryan C. Fattman, Patrick M. O'Connor and other members of the General Court for legislation to enhance the authority of courts to protect public safety. The Judiciary.
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3354) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others relative to motor vehicle license transparency. Transportation.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to prohibit individuals convicted of Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenses in Massachusetts from accessing public housing facilities subsidized by the state. The legislation directly affects sex offenders by adding a new restriction to existing laws that currently govern eligibility for state-funded housing. By amending Section 26 of Chapter 121B, the bill mandates that these specific offenders be denied access to such housing without requiring additional judicial review or individualized assessments.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special nine-member commission to study and recommend best practices for improving the safety of blind and visually impaired people in public walkways and intersections. The commission will review current traffic policies, accessible pedestrian signals, and new safety technologies, with members including representatives from state agencies and appointed advocates and experts. The group must submit its findings and legislative recommendations to the state administration and relevant committee chairs within one year of the bill's passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new legal process in Massachusetts to provide critical community health services, which include behavioral health and social support that do not require hospitalization. It creates a specific definition for "gravely disabled" individuals and allows a range of people, including doctors, family members, and guardians, to petition a district court for a treatment plan for adults with serious mental illnesses who meet this criteria. The legislation aims to keep people in community settings rather than inpatient facilities by authorizing court-supervised plans delivered by licensed mental health professionals.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands domestic violence protections in Massachusetts to include contract workers employed by staffing agencies and other third-party labor providers. It achieves this by legally defining these workers and their employers, ensuring they have the same right as traditional employees to take time off for safety reasons related to domestic violence. The change removes the previous restriction that limited these protections only to direct employees, thereby covering a broader range of workers in the Commonwealth.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes adults with disabilities in Massachusetts to enter into supported decision-making agreements as an alternative to traditional guardianship. It requires the state to create a training program for supporters and decision-makers and mandates that schools inform students with disabilities about this option when they turn sixteen. The legislation defines the roles of supporters and decision-makers, outlines the rights and obligations of each party, and establishes rules for dispute resolution while ensuring the decision-maker retains full control over their life choices.
Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for crime victims and public safety by expanding the scope of dangerous person statutes, requiring early fingerprinting and photography for criminal defendants, and removing eligibility for parole or sentence reductions for certain offenders. It also introduces stricter penalties for tampering with monitoring devices like geolocation trackers and clarifies the definition of abuse to include a broader range of criminal conduct within family or household settings. Additionally, the legislation allows courts to set specific probation conditions aimed at preventing future abuse and ensures that prior convictions involving such devices are considered evidence that financial conditions may not guarantee a defendant's presence in court.
Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Labor and Workforce Development, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1166) of Ryan C. Fattman, Joseph D. McKenna, Brian M. Ashe, Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida and other members of the General Court for legislation to ensure domestic violence victims' protections for all employees in the Commonwealth; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1919) of Joseph D. McKenna, Ryan C. Fattman and others relative to employment protections for domestic violence victims, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2479).
