Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Massachusetts to petition the court to seal their eviction records if the eviction was not caused by nonpayment of rent or a breach of the lease agreement. The law defines specific terms such as "no-fault eviction" to clarify which cases are eligible for sealing and requires that all appeals be exhausted before a petition can be filed. By removing these records from public view, the legislation aims to help tenants with clean rental histories improve their chances of securing future housing. The changes apply to anyone with a relevant court record in the state's trial court system.

Senate, February 12, 2024 --The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 244) of Joanne M. Comerford and Susannah M. Whipps for legislation to fairly reimburse local school transportation of foster children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 329) of Patrick M. O'Connor and David F. DeCoste for legislation to prove opportunity for youth with substance abuse needs; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 330) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Vanna Howard, Jason M. Lewis and others for legislation relative to student transportation, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2590).

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts student transportation laws to give parents the option to opt out of school bus services for their children each year. It requires school districts and regional districts to inform families of this choice at least 30 days before the school year begins, ensuring that if a parent declines, the district is not required to provide transport for that student. Additionally, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must create and maintain a registry of all companies that provide school transportation services. The legislation also mandates a study to explore how school districts could form collaborative groups to improve transportation efficiency, with results due by July 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates audio recordings of 911 calls as private data to protect the identity and information of callers, while allowing written transcripts of those calls to remain public upon request. It permits law enforcement agencies and emergency service providers to access the audio recordings for investigations and training purposes without needing additional consent. The legislation strictly prohibits releasing these audio recordings to the public or any other entity unless a court determines that public interest outweighs the caller's privacy rights or if the caller provides written consent.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires criminal courts in Massachusetts to automatically issue a ban on visitation for defendants charged with specific violent crimes against pregnant people or children. The restriction applies during the pretrial period and, upon conviction, for all or part of the defendant's sentence, unless the victim or an involved child waives the ban. If a defendant is acquitted or the case is dropped, the visitation ban is immediately lifted. Additionally, the bill prevents defendants from filing motions to establish paternity or request genetic testing until the visitation ban is removed.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a formal process for drivers and passengers who accidentally hit an animal on the road to legally retrieve and use the animal for food. It requires these individuals to immediately report the incident to law enforcement and transport the carcass within 24 hours to a state office to receive a free permit and an official seal. The legislation allows the meat to be donated to approved organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens for distribution to people facing food insecurity, while prohibiting the sale or trade of the animal. Additionally, the bill defines specific terms such as "salvageable animal" and outlines procedures for disposing of animals that are inedible or when no eligible person is involved in the collision.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands rental protections in Massachusetts for elderly, disabled, and low-to-middle-income tenants by allowing them to move into specialized housing without penalty. Specifically, eligible tenants can terminate their current lease with at least 30 days' written notice if they are accepted into facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living residences, public housing, or other designated affordable housing options. The legislation prohibits landlords from charging penalties or refusing future rentals based on this move and declares any lease clauses that waive this right as unenforceable. Additionally, it grants courts the authority to stop violations of these rules and requires the state housing department to create regulations defining the scope of protected housing types.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to classify audio recordings of 911 calls as private data, protecting the identity and information of callers from unauthorized release. While the original audio remains confidential, the bill allows for written transcripts to be created upon request by the caller or their legal representative, with the requester bearing the cost of transcription. The audio recording itself may still be shared with law enforcement for investigations or used for public safety training without needing consent. Release of the recording to the general public is prohibited unless a court determines that public interest outweighs the individual's privacy rights or if law enforcement is actively investigating the incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the formula used to calculate prejudgment interest rates in Massachusetts civil cases. Currently set at a fixed 12% per year, the interest rate would instead fluctuate based on the weekly average yield of one-year U.S. Treasury bonds published by the Federal Reserve. These changes directly affect plaintiffs and defendants involved in civil lawsuits where courts award interest for money owed before a final judgment is reached. By replacing the static rate with a market-based index, the legislation aims to align interest calculations with current economic conditions.