Rep. Marcus Vaughn

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to create stricter penalties for parents or guardians who fail to report a child under 14 as missing or deceased. It requires anyone caring for a child to notify law enforcement within two hours of discovering the child's death or within five days of finding the child missing, but only if the caregiver intends to mislead officials, stop an investigation, or causes an investigation to be delayed. The legislation increases the maximum prison sentence for these specific failures from two and a half years to ten years in state prison. Additionally, the bill raises the maximum penalties for other related offenses under existing child protection laws, increasing sentences from two and a half years to ten years and from five years to fifteen years.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to ensure judges enforce mandatory minimum sentences for firearm-related crimes. It removes judicial immunity from judges who fail to impose required minimum sentences or who grant bail to individuals accused of these offenses. Under the new provisions, judges could face civil lawsuits and be held financially responsible for damages caused by the offender after their release. The measure directly affects sentencing judges and bail officials by creating personal liability for their decisions regarding firearm cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to ban the possession, sale, and use of child sex dolls in Massachusetts. It defines these items as anatomically correct dolls or robots that resemble minors and are intended for sexual acts. The law would impose fines of up to $10,000 and prison sentences of up to five years for a first offense, with harsher penalties of up to ten years for subsequent violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime of fetal homicide in Massachusetts, allowing prosecutors to charge individuals separately for causing the death or serious physical injury to a fetus. The law defines a "child in utero" as a human being at any stage of development carried in the womb and specifies that "bodily injury" includes significant physical harm such as broken bones or internal organ damage. Punishment for violating this new section would be the same as if the injury or death had occurred to the pregnant woman, without requiring proof that the offender knew the victim was pregnant or intended to harm the fetus. The legislation explicitly prohibits using these provisions to prosecute abortions performed with the pregnant woman's consent or any medical treatment provided to the mother or her unborn child.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of online enticement under Massachusetts law to include a broader range of communication methods. It directly affects individuals who might attempt to lure children by updating the statute to explicitly cover personal contact, postal mail, telephone calls, instant messaging, and email. The key mechanism is an amendment to an existing section of the General Laws that lists these specific ways someone can invite a child to meet them. By adding these methods to the legal definition, the bill ensures that various forms of digital and traditional communication are treated as potential tools for enticement. This change aims to close potential gaps in how the law currently addresses the solicitation of minors online.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense in Massachusetts for knowingly helping a child under 18 run away from their parents, guardians, or legal caregivers. The law specifically prohibits actions such as luring, persuading, or inviting a child to abscond from their responsible adult or agency. Penalties vary based on the child's age and the situation; for instance, aiding a child under 14 to flee from parents carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years, while helping a child escape from foster care or state custody can result in up to ten years in prison. Additionally, the bill imposes stricter punishments if the crime occurs within 300 feet of a school or preschool, with minimum fines of $2,500 for violations in those areas.

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 Massachusetts bill prohibits level 3 sex offenders from living in the same home as another level 3 sex offender. The law applies to single-family homes and apartments, banning cohabitation unless the individuals are legally related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Anyone who violates this rule faces a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to 2.5 years, or both, and must report the violation to the sex offender registry board.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public employee" in Massachusetts to include referees, umpires, and other officials working at school sports events. By registering with relevant sports organizations, these individuals would receive enhanced penalties if they are assaulted or battered while performing their duties. The change applies to volunteers, independent contractors, and paid staff alike, ensuring that anyone officiating a school game is covered under existing protection laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals from secretly installing electronic tracking devices on motor vehicles without the consent of the driver and all passengers. The law defines specific exceptions where tracking is allowed, such as when conducted by law enforcement for criminal investigations, by parents monitoring their minor children, or by businesses tracking their own fleet vehicles. It also permits tracking by vehicle dealers and insurance companies provided there is explicit written permission from the owner or lessee. Violations of this prohibition can result in up to one year in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both penalties.