Rep. Angelo D'Emilia

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow parents, legal guardians, and custodians to request Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) for childcare providers who have or may have direct contact with their children. The change expands existing access rules, which currently permit such requests only for specific licensed childcare facilities, to include individual family members seeking background checks for caregivers in their homes. By updating the statute, the legislation ensures that families can verify the criminal history of nannies, babysitters, or other informal caregivers without needing to go through a formal licensing process.

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 establishes a new Prison Mitigation Fund specifically for cities and towns that host Department of Correction facilities. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, investment earnings, and other designated sources, with any leftover money staying in the fund rather than returning to the general state budget. Each year, the state will distribute at least $2.5 million to these municipalities based on a formula that allocates money proportionally according to the number of prisoners housed in each location. The Department of Correction is responsible for managing the fund and ensuring these payments are made to the affected communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect private property owners by restricting the government's ability to use eminent domain for commercial projects or private economic development. It mandates that property takings must be for genuine public use, such as public occupancy, and requires courts to independently decide if a proposed use is truly public rather than accepting a legislative claim. Additionally, the legislation includes a provision that if the government does not use the taken property for its intended purpose within five years, it must offer to sell the land back to the original owner or their heirs at the lower of the original purchase price or the fair market value at the time of taking.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to impose stricter penalties on individuals convicted of both illegal drug trafficking and firearm trafficking. Specifically, it targets those found guilty of trafficking opioids or heroin while also trafficking or stealing firearms, rifles, shotguns, or machine guns. Such offenders face a mandatory sentence of up to life imprisonment in state prison, which may include a fine of up to $500,000. Additionally, the legislation prevents these sentences from being paused or continued without a formal finding and bars convicted individuals from receiving early release privileges like furloughs or work release.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. The change updates Chapter 151B to clarify that the term refers to hatred toward Jews and includes specific descriptions of how such hatred can be expressed through rhetoric or actions against individuals, property, and community institutions. By incorporating this external standard, the legislation provides a consistent framework for identifying antisemitism within the state's legal and administrative contexts.

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 amends Massachusetts insurance laws to prevent drivers from receiving surcharges if they are caught operating a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker. By explicitly stating that this specific violation is not a surchargeable incident, the legislation aims to stop insurance companies from raising premiums for drivers solely due to this infraction. The change directly affects drivers in the state who may have previously faced higher insurance costs for this particular issue. It does not alter penalties for driving with an expired sticker, only the financial consequences related to insurance premiums.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pregnant individuals in Massachusetts to enroll in state health insurance plans within 30 days of confirming their pregnancy, rather than waiting for the end of a standard open enrollment period. To qualify, the pregnancy must be certified by a licensed healthcare provider, and if enrolled, the health coverage would begin on the first day of the month that certification is received. The law applies to all qualified health plans available through the state health insurance exchange and is designed to ensure timely access to care during pregnancy. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate how health plans and pharmaceutical benefit managers use "maximum allowable cost" lists to determine the highest price they will pay for prescription drugs. The commission will consist of ten members representing government officials, health plans, pharmacists, and advocates for providers, pharmaceutical companies, and benefit managers. Its primary task is to examine current practices, financial impacts, industry standards, and transparency regarding these pricing lists. Within 180 days of passing, the commission must submit a report with its findings and any proposed legislation to relevant state committees.