Rep. Paul Frost

Maddy summaryHD 1400 changes Massachusetts law to replace the fixed 12% prejudgment interest rate with a variable rate based on the weekly average one-year Treasury yield published by the Federal Reserve. This affects plaintiffs and defendants in civil lawsuits where prejudgment interest is awarded before a court judgment is issued. The bill modifies sections of Chapter 231 of the General Laws to calculate interest using the Treasury yield for the week before the judgment date, rather than the current fixed rate. The change directly impacts the amount of interest accrued in eligible cases, aligning it with current federal interest rates. The bill does not alter the scope of cases eligible for prejudgment interest, only the method for calculating the rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a separate criminal offense for causing death or bodily injury to a fetus (defined as "child in utero" at any developmental stage) through acts that would otherwise violate laws like assault. It directly affects individuals whose criminal conduct results in fetal harm, such as in cases of domestic violence or accidents. The key mechanism sets the punishment for this offense equal to what would apply if the injury occurred to the pregnant person, and it explicitly excludes prosecution for legal abortions, medical treatments for the pregnant person or fetus, or actions taken by the pregnant person themselves. The law clarifies that intent to harm the fetus or knowledge of pregnancy is not required for prosecution.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits adults to petition family courts to adopt embryos. It directly affects prospective adoptive parents and the donors who created the embryos. The law requires courts to consider such petitions and explicitly states that embryo donors cannot be held financially responsible for child support or medical costs related to the adopted embryo. The provision aims to clarify legal pathways for embryo adoption while removing donor financial liability.

Maddy summaryHD 3780 creates a new court-approved community-based treatment program for adults with severe mental illness who are at high risk of harm to themselves or others due to treatment non-adherence. It establishes a "critical community mental health service treatment plan" requiring court approval as the least restrictive alternative to hospitalization, targeting individuals who are "gravely disabled" (unable to meet basic needs safely due to mental illness) and have a history of repeated hospitalizations or violent behavior. The plan must include supervision, medication, and assistance with basic needs like housing and employment, with initial court orders limited to 180 days (renewable up to 365 days). This bill directly affects eligible individuals with severe mental illness and their care providers, shifting focus from inpatient commitment to structured community care under judicial oversight.

Maddy summaryHD 4169 requires courts to order a psychiatric evaluation within 10 days for individuals subject to an extreme risk protection order (ERPO), which is issued when someone is deemed a danger to themselves or others. The evaluation, conducted by a licensed mental health professional approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, must assess the person's mental health, history of violence or self-harm, and ability to safely handle weapons. Courts must review these results alongside other evidence before deciding whether to continue, modify, or end the ERPO. This bill directly affects ERPO respondents and streamlines the court process for evaluating safety risks. It also directs the Department of Public Health and Trial Court to create implementing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts law regarding immigration cooperation and emergency housing assistance. For public safety, it requires state/local law enforcement to detain certain individuals for up to 12 hours (with judicial review within that timeframe) when ICE requests custody for non-citizens convicted of specific serious offenses like terrorism, gang activity, or violent crimes. For emergency housing, it restricts eligibility to U.S. citizens or immigrants with 12 consecutive months of continuous Massachusetts residency, requiring specific documentation (e.g., tax returns, driver's license, utility bills) and prohibiting fraudulent applications. These changes directly affect immigrants seeking housing assistance and law enforcement agencies handling ICE requests.

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 summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to include POST-certified campus police officers employed at state colleges, universities, community colleges, and the University of Massachusetts in the existing Group 4 retirement benefit program. It directly affects these officers by ensuring they receive the same retirement benefits as other Group 4 public safety employees. The key mechanism is a simple legislative update to Chapter 32 of the General Laws, adding specific language to define these campus officers as eligible for the current retirement plan. The bill does not create new benefits but extends existing coverage to this group of law enforcement personnel.

Maddy summaryHD 2041 updates the definition of eligible positions for retirement benefits within the Department of Correction. It specifically adds "correctional program officer A/B, C, D, or equivalent or successive titles" (and other Group 4 titles) to the list of roles qualifying for these benefits. This change directly affects correctional officers who have held these specific positions or equivalent Group 4 roles for 10 years or more. The bill modifies existing law to ensure these employees receive retirement benefits based on their tenure in these designated positions.

By Representative Frost of Auburn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 483) of Paul K. Frost relative to non-outcome based or performance based wagers. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.