Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts trespassing laws to strengthen protections for homeowners. It requires anyone illegally entering a dwelling (home, building, or vehicle) to immediately retreat if they discover occupants - failure to retreat forfeits their right to sue for injuries. Key provisions include: a mandatory 5-year prison sentence for illegal entries where minors are present, and life imprisonment or 20+ years for armed entries causing injury or using force. Note: While titled "protecting domestic violence victims," the bill focuses on criminalizing trespassers' actions, not directly addressing domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits settlement agreements from including non-disclosure clauses that hide information about workplace sexual harassment, discrimination (based on sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation), sex offenses, or retaliation for reporting such issues. It applies directly to employees who file claims and employers settling these cases, making any such NDA void unless the victim specifically requests confidentiality in writing. The law also requires courts to reject conflicting disclosure restrictions, penalizes attorneys who demand non-compliant NDAs, and ensures victims retain rights to disclosure without losing settlement benefits. It takes effect immediately upon enactment and adds to existing legal remedies for affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits medical professionals from performing or inducing an abortion specifically because of a Down syndrome diagnosis in the unborn child. It applies to physicians, nurses, and other licensed healthcare providers who know the abortion is sought due to a Down syndrome test result or diagnosis. Violations carry criminal penalties (up to 15 years imprisonment), license revocation, and civil liability for damages. The bill explicitly states the pregnant woman seeking such an abortion is not liable for the violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2295) increases penalties for inmates who assault correctional staff. It targets individuals in custody (in jails, prisons, or detention facilities) who use a dangerous weapon to assault officers, employees, volunteers, or contractors working in those facilities. The law mandates prison sentences of up to 20 years for such assaults, requiring the new sentence to be served after any existing unserved sentences. It defines "dangerous weapon" broadly to include homemade or custom objects designed to cause harm.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 2291) defines "dangerous weapon" broadly to include any weapon or object - such as custom or homemade items - designed to be used as a weapon. It imposes penalties for inmates in correctional facilities (including jails, prisons, and detention centers) who possess such weapons. Offenders face up to 10 years in state prison, 2.5 years in a house of correction, or a $5,000 fine, or a combination, with sentences starting after any existing unserved sentences. The law directly affects individuals currently incarcerated in these facilities and creates new criminal penalties for weapon possession within them.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 2009) is a symbolic resolution expressing support for federal immigration detainers issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It does not alter ICE's enforcement procedures or create new legal requirements. The bill directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies that receive ICE detainer requests by affirming their role in cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. It was introduced by Representative Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida as a statement of legislative backing for existing ICE practices. The resolution has no binding effect on actual detention policies.

Maddy summaryHD 4222 allows Massachusetts court officers to detain non-citizens for up to 12 hours at the direction of a judicial officer, specifically when ICE provides a written request and an arrest warrant, and the judicial officer determines the person poses a public safety threat based on specific criminal convictions. It directly affects court officers, judicial officers, and non-citizens with certain prior convictions (e.g., terrorism, gang-related offenses, violent crimes, or specific felonies). The bill requires judicial officers to document reasons for denying ICE requests and maintains these records publicly, while also requiring judges to consider ICE detainer requests when setting bail. It does not create new immigration enforcement powers but modifies court procedures for handling ICE requests related to public safety. The bill focuses on concrete procedural changes within existing legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryHD 2284 amends Massachusetts law to allow state and municipal law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics, and fire personnel to provide opioid antagonists (like naloxone) and administration instructions to individuals at substantial risk of opioid overdose, or to their family/friends who know about the person's opioid use. It directly affects first responders and people at risk of opioid overdose by expanding access to life-saving medication. Key provisions permit these personnel to act in "good faith" based on their training, observations, and the individual's own information. The bill does not require prior consent or medical oversight for this intervention. This policy change aims to increase immediate access to overdose reversal tools during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable tax credit for adoptive parents in Massachusetts. It provides $2,500 per adopted child from foster care and $2,000 per adopted child from private or public adoption agencies, refundable against state income taxes. The credit covers expenses like agency fees, attorney fees, court costs, and medical copayments directly related to adopting a minor child. It directly affects adoptive parents who pay these costs through licensed agencies or foster care systems. The change modifies existing tax law to expand and clarify eligible adoption-related expenses.

Maddy summaryHD 635 prohibits requiring proof of COVID-19, mRNA, or gene-altering procedure vaccination for entry to public spaces, schools, or businesses. It directly affects the Commonwealth government, all public agencies, schools (including colleges), and private businesses by banning them from demanding such proof for entry, enrollment, campus access, or employment. Key provisions block vaccination requirements in public buildings, educational institutions, and private businesses, while also prohibiting places of public accommodation from requiring proof of vaccination for entry. The bill applies broadly across state law to prevent any entity from mandating vaccination proof as a condition of access or participation.