Rep. Mike Soter

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits registered sex offenders in Massachusetts from legally changing their names or using any name other than the one they registered under. It directly affects individuals listed on the state sex offender registry by amending existing laws to forbid name changes through official channels and prevent them from adopting new surnames in marriage. The legislation also ensures that failing to use the registered name is treated as a violation of registration requirements. By restricting name changes, the bill aims to maintain the accuracy of public records and ensure that the community can easily identify registered offenders.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission to examine and set service standards for organizations that help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Massachusetts. The commission will consist of 19 members, including government officials, advocates from various support centers, and survivors of these crimes, who will serve unpaid terms of two years. Its main task is to review current practices across the state and develop uniform minimum standards for how these service providers operate. The group will hold public meetings, gather information, and make recommendations to improve support for survivors, while its own rules and staffing will depend on future funding approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a permanent commission to develop and enforce uniform minimum standards for organizations providing services to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence across Massachusetts. The commission will consist of 19 members representing government agencies, advocacy groups, and survivors, who will meet regularly to review current practices and propose consistent service guidelines. While the commission itself has no power to enforce rules, it will study existing programs and make recommendations to state agencies and local communities to improve care for victims. The members serve unpaid terms of two years and are responsible for ensuring that support services meet high, consistent quality levels throughout the state.

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 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 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 amends Massachusetts law to exempt veterans from paying application and registration fees associated with medical marijuana programs. It directly affects veterans who wish to register as medical marijuana patients, ensuring they do not incur these specific costs. The change is implemented by modifying the relevant state statute to explicitly require the commission to waive these fees for eligible veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Research Fund to support studies on how medical cannabis treats specific conditions like cancer, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy. The fund is administered by the Cannabis Control Commission and is initially financed by $10 million transferred from the state's Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund, with additional money coming from future transfers, donations, and interest. The commission director must submit a biannual report on the fund's activities, and any money left over at the end of a fiscal year stays in the fund rather than returning to the general state budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts to offer drive-up curbside pickup services for both medical and recreational customers. To operate such a service, a dispensary must obtain approval from the local city or town and follow any existing local rules regarding curbside pickup. The law specifically permits both external and internal curbside pickup options for the sale of cannabis products.