Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to strengthen protections for private electronic communications, browsing history, and location data. It establishes specific definitions for terms like "electronic communication," "metadata," and "location information" to clarify what data is covered under privacy rules. The legislation also sets standards for how law enforcement must serve search warrants to technology companies, ensuring they are delivered properly to officers or designated agents within the state. By updating Chapter 276 of the General Laws, the bill aims to regulate how government agencies access digital information stored by service providers and devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to prevent employers from discriminating against employees based on their off-duty use of marijuana, provided the use does not occur at work and the employee is not impaired while performing job duties. It explicitly allows employers to take adverse action if an employee cannot maintain necessary professional licenses due to marijuana use or if the employee is charged with a crime related to marijuana. The legislation also permits mandatory drug testing for employers required to do so by federal regulations and establishes a civil legal process where aggrieved employees can seek damages or injunctive relief. Finally, it directs the state's labor and public safety offices to create specific regulations to enforce these new protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Massachusetts to immediately clear their criminal records for past marijuana possession charges. It directly affects people who were previously convicted of holding marijuana, a crime that has since been decriminalized and legalized. The law mandates that these specific records be removed from the state's probation office files without requiring the person to apply for relief. By repealing an older section and amending the state's expungement statute, the legislation ensures automatic relief for those whose convictions stem solely from marijuana possession.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to extend the time limit for filing civil lawsuits related to human trafficking in Massachusetts. Currently, victims must file their claims within a specific timeframe, but this legislation would allow them to have up to 10 years to sue after being freed from trafficking or, if they were minors at the time, within 10 years of turning 18. The change directly affects survivors of forced labor, services, or sexual servitude by giving them a longer window to seek legal remedies. By amending existing state law, the bill aims to ensure that victims have sufficient time to pursue justice regardless of when they were rescued or reached adulthood.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to remove specific language targeting "common night walkers" and "common street walkers" and repeals a section of the penal code related to these terms. It also adds a new provision stating that individuals who report crimes in good faith will not face charges for possession of controlled substances or sex for money if the evidence against them was obtained as a result of their report. The legislation directly affects transgender people and low-income women who are frequently subjected to policing for these specific activities. By removing the legal basis for targeting these groups and offering immunity to crime reporters, the bill aims to reduce discriminatory enforcement practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce the number of people serving life sentences in Massachusetts by changing how long they must wait before becoming eligible for parole. It specifically allows prisoners serving multiple life sentences for separate crimes to apply for parole after 25 years from the start of their most recent sentence, rather than remaining incarcerated indefinitely. Additionally, the law sets new minimum time requirements for first-degree murder convictions, requiring at least 25 years in prison for adult offenders, while setting lower minimums for juvenile offenders depending on their age at the time of the crime. These changes apply to both current and future cases, meaning they affect individuals already serving these sentences as well as those convicted after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to guarantee that anyone in police custody or under police control who has a serious medical need must receive emergency medical services. It defines specific terms like "emergency medical condition" and "medically unstable" to ensure officers can identify when help is needed. The law requires law enforcement officers to immediately call for medical assistance if a person they are handling tells them they are sick or if the officer reasonably believes the person's health is at risk. This policy change directly affects all law enforcement agencies and officers in the state by mandating immediate medical intervention for individuals with urgent health issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for vulnerable adults in Massachusetts by creating a specific criminal offense for sexual assault committed by mandated reporters, supervisors, or transportation providers. It defines a vulnerable adult as someone aged 14 or older who resides in a mental health facility, receives community services from specific state departments, or lives in a long-term care facility. The law establishes strict penalties, including up to twenty years in prison for a first offense and life imprisonment for repeat offenses, while explicitly stating that the victim's consent is not a valid defense. Additionally, the bill updates legal definitions to ensure these new crimes are properly classified as sex offenses for reporting and tracking purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to redefine individuals involved in the sex trade as "prostituted persons" rather than "prostitutes," emphasizing their status as potential victims. It expands legal protections by including various forms of sex work, such as exchanging sexual conduct for food or shelter, within the definitions of related crimes. The legislation also redirects fines collected from violations of these laws to a state trust fund dedicated to assisting victims of human trafficking. By updating terminology and broadening the scope of covered activities, the bill aims to strengthen justice and support systems for those affected by the sex trade.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes raising the educational requirements for Clerk Magistrates in Massachusetts by mandating that all future appointees hold a graduate law degree from an accredited law school. It also encourages current Clerk Magistrates without such degrees to obtain one within seven years, offering a ten percent bonus for compliance. Additionally, the legislation requires all qualifying Clerk Magistrates to undergo annual training programs created and monitored by the Attorney General and supervising justices.