Rep. Paul Frost

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a Massachusetts statute to expand the legal definition of prohibited relationships in incest laws. It adds "affinity or adoption" after "consanguinity" in Section 17 of Chapter 272, meaning the law will now explicitly cover relationships formed through marriage (affinity) and adopted family ties. The change directly affects how incest cases are legally defined and prosecuted under current state law. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage, updating the statutory language without creating new requirements or penalties.

Maddy summaryHD 1828 requires employers to provide new written wage notices within 10 days of hire, detailing pay rates, pay schedules, and business contact information in the employee's preferred language. It creates joint liability for wage theft among lead contractors, labor contractors, and subcontractors, holding their officers personally accountable. The Attorney General gains new enforcement powers to sue for treble damages, lost wages, and attorney fees on behalf of affected workers. The bill also adjusts unemployment benefits to account for unpaid wages during the benefit calculation period.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill (HD 1610) amends state law to increase penalties for possessing firearm suppressors (devices that muffle gun noise) under specific circumstances. It targets individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms, committing violent crimes/felons, or engaging in crimes of violence against family members while possessing suppressors, or selling controlled substances. The law defines "firearm suppressor" to align with federal law (18 USC 921(24)) and sets punishments of up to 10 years in state prison or 2.5 years in jail for violations. It directly affects gun owners or individuals with criminal records who possess these devices while violating other laws. The bill does not create new restrictions but modifies existing penalties for specific prohibited uses.

Maddy summaryHD 1611 (An Act relative to drug distribution causing death) makes drug distributors strictly liable for deaths resulting from the use of specified controlled substances (including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other Class A/B/C drugs under Chapter 94C). It requires distributors to face mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentences (with no parole or probation eligibility before that time), up to $25,000 fines, and life imprisonment for causing a death. The law defines "cause of death" as when the drug use was a direct, necessary factor in the death, and it explicitly bars defenses claiming the user contributed to their own death through reckless or intentional use. This bill directly affects individuals who distribute these drugs, holding them accountable for fatal overdoses regardless of the user's actions.

Maddy summaryHD 1606 amends Massachusetts law to define and penalize throwing objects at certain vehicles or assaulting transportation workers. The bill specifically targets actions like throwing objects at motor vehicles, trains, buses (including school buses), or assaulting drivers, conductors, or operators while they are performing their duties. Offenders face penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, up to five years in prison, or both. This law directly affects individuals who commit these acts against transportation workers or vehicles, strengthening existing penalties for such dangerous behavior.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how social media platforms use intermittent variable rewards (like unpredictable likes or notifications) and other tactics to influence user behavior, particularly focusing on their impact on adolescents. The commission, composed of legislative leaders and state officials (including mental health and public health representatives), will examine whether these strategies are psychologically manipulative. It must submit a report with findings and recommendations to both legislative chambers within one year of the bill's passage. The bill itself does not enact new laws or regulations but creates a study group to gather information on this specific issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 1702) restricts where certain sex offenders can live and work. It prohibits individuals classified as level 2 or 3 sex offenders from establishing a home address or accepting employment within 500 feet of any public or private school, licensed day care center, or child care facility. The law directly affects these offenders by limiting their residential and employment options near locations where children gather. The provision applies to both current residences and intended living arrangements or job opportunities within the specified radius.

Maddy summaryHD 1339 amends Massachusetts law to expand access to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) requests. It allows parents, legal guardians, or custodians to request criminal record checks for childcare providers who have or may have direct contact with their children. This change specifically adds childcare providers to the list of individuals whose records can be accessed under CORI for background checks. The bill modifies existing law to clarify this expanded access but does not change CORI fees or processing procedures. It directly affects families seeking background checks on childcare providers before entrusting them with their children.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3510) creates new criminal penalties for "check washing," defined as altering a check's payee name, amount, or both to fraudulently cash or deposit it. It directly affects individuals who commit this specific type of check fraud. The law imposes penalties based on the amount stolen: up to 10 years in prison or a $50,000 fine for fraud exceeding $1,200, or up to 2 years in jail or a $3,000 fine for fraud under $1,200. The bill also clarifies where legal action can be filed (in the jurisdiction where the check was used or the bank's main office is located).

Maddy summaryHD 1312 amends the state's juror service law to create a new exemption for sole business owners whose jury duty would require closing their business. The bill adds this exemption to the existing list of reasons for being excused from jury duty. It directly affects small business owners who operate alone and cannot leave their business unattended during jury service. This change would allow such individuals to be excused from jury duty without penalty.