Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers and employees from using nondisclosure agreements to hide facts about sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in the workplace. It makes such clauses in settlement agreements legally unenforceable, while still allowing victims to keep their own identities private if they choose. The law also ensures that victims can sue for damages with a jury trial and receive attorney fees if they win, and it bars the use of public funds to settle these specific claims against government employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a new crime of capital murder in Massachusetts specifically for the intentional killing of law enforcement officers, including correction officers, police, sheriffs, and deputy sheriffs. It applies to adults who kill these officers while they are working or as retaliation for their work, or whose deaths result from reckless violent acts. If convicted, the offender would face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. The legislation also establishes a mandatory pre-sentence hearing where a jury reviews aggravating and mitigating factors to determine the final punishment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create new criminal penalties for anyone who knowingly helps a child run away from their parents or legal guardians. It specifically defines "entice" as actions like luring, persuading, or soliciting a child to leave their care. The law imposes stricter punishments based on the child's age and the circumstances, such as whether the child is fleeing from foster care or living within 300 feet of a school. Under the new rules, aiding a child under 14 to run away from a parent can result in up to five years in state prison, while helping a child escape from foster care or a court order can lead to up to ten years in state prison.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mothers in Massachusetts to petition a court to terminate the parental rights of a man who fathered their child through rape. It applies to both married women seeking to end their husband's rights and unmarried mothers seeking to end the rights of a stranger who committed the assault. The law establishes that a criminal conviction or guilty plea for rape serves as automatic proof that the child was conceived through sexual violence, removing the need for the mother to prove the crime in a separate civil case. Additionally, the bill creates a legal presumption that ending the perpetrator's parental rights is in the child's best interest. These changes would enable victims to seek adoption or other permanent solutions without facing the burden of re-litigating the original criminal case.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Unborn Victims of Down Syndrome Act," prohibits doctors and other medical providers in Massachusetts from performing abortions if they know the procedure was sought because of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. The law defines Down syndrome as a chromosomal disorder and explicitly states that the pregnant woman seeking the abortion cannot be held criminally liable for the act. Medical professionals who violate this provision face criminal penalties of up to fifteen years in prison, potential license revocation, and civil lawsuits for damages. The legislation aims to protect the unborn child from termination based on this specific genetic condition while shielding the mother from legal consequences.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies in Massachusetts from charging fees for processing electronic transactions unless they provide written notification to the customer beforehand. It directly affects drivers and policyholders who pay their auto insurance bills online by ensuring they are informed of any associated costs. The key provision amends existing state law to require written notice before any fee can be applied to an electronic payment. This change aims to increase transparency for consumers regarding potential charges on digital transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses from charging unconscionably excessive prices for essential health-related items, such as masks, disinfectants, and over-the-counter medications, during a declared public health emergency in Massachusetts. It defines a price as excessive if it rises more than fifteen percent above the cost charged immediately before the emergency, unless the seller can prove that out-of-control costs forced the increase. To enforce these rules, the Attorney General or District Attorney can seek court orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties of up to twenty-five thousand dollars per offense, along with the forfeiture of profits from the illegal transactions. The law applies to all sellers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require health insurers to pay ambulance service providers directly for emergency services rendered to insured individuals, even when the provider is not part of the insurer's existing network. The legislation mandates that insurers make these payments promptly once an insured person signs an assignment of benefits or is unable to do so due to their condition. By establishing a direct payment pathway, the bill aims to ensure that emergency medical transport providers receive compensation without relying on the insured to pay out-of-pocket first. This change applies to all types of insurance policies covering transportation services within the state, including those held by individuals and organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows motor vehicle insurance companies in Massachusetts to offer discounts to licensed drivers who complete a specific marijuana impairment education course. The course must be approved by the insurance commissioner and include a module on the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana. It is offered by accredited driving schools or insurance companies and gives insurers the option, rather than a requirement, to provide these savings.