Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow firefighters and police officers to purchase creditable military service for their state pension calculations. Under the new provision, these first responders would pay the same rate to buy back active duty time as they currently do for their own firefighting or policing service. The change directly affects veterans who served as firefighters or police officers and wish to include their military service in their retirement benefits. By aligning the purchase rate for military service with existing rates for local service, the legislation simplifies the process for these specific groups.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill gradually increases the state's financial responsibility for public school funding by lowering the maximum percentage of costs that local communities must cover. Specifically, it caps the required local contribution at 58% of the education budget in 2024, then reduces this cap by one percentage point each year until it reaches 54% by 2027. The law directly affects school districts and local taxpayers by shifting more of the education foundation budget from local sources to state funding over a five-year period.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill restricts courts from granting visitation or custody rights to parents convicted of specific sexual offenses against a child conceived during the rape. Under the new rules, a perpetrator cannot obtain these rights unless the mother explicitly consents and a judge determines the arrangement is in the child's best interests. The law clarifies that a lack of criminal conviction does not prove the rape did not happen and ensures that denying custody does not stop the father from paying child support or the child from inheriting from him.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to guide judges when deciding whether to place a defendant on probation. It requires judges to consider specific personal factors, including the defendant's age, military service history, education, medical condition, and employment status. By listing these elements, the legislation aims to ensure that sentencing decisions account for a broader range of individual circumstances. The change directly affects judges in the state court system and individuals facing potential probation sentences.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts Massachusetts law enforcement agencies from entering into new or extended agreements with federal authorities regarding immigration detention and deputization. It requires any such agreement or federal deputization to receive prior written authorization from the Governor, ensuring state control over these partnerships. Additionally, the law limits existing immigration detention contracts to a maximum of ninety days after the bill takes effect. The Attorney General is empowered to take legal action against any entity that violates these restrictions, while allowing officers to continue their standard public safety duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines the process for sealing criminal and juvenile court records in Massachusetts by mandating that agencies complete sealing within 90 days of eligibility. It also allows individuals with sealed records to access their own files without needing a court order or having to unseal them first. Additionally, the legislation requires the commissioner of probation to clear eligible records from their files within six months of the law taking effect. These changes directly affect residents seeking to remove past legal records from public view and improve their access to those documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens legal protections for survivors of sexual assault in Massachusetts by expanding the types of crimes that qualify for specific harassment orders. It updates state laws to include sexual offenses such as rape and sexual assault under the existing harassment statutes, allowing victims to seek court orders that require the perpetrator to stay away from their home or workplace. Additionally, the legislation mandates that courts immediately suspend a defendant's firearms license and order the surrender of all guns and ammunition if there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger. These measures aim to provide more comprehensive safety options for survivors while maintaining the ability for defendants to request a quick review of these firearm restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve how Massachusetts collects and reports data on minors involved with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. It requires the Child Advocate to gather annual statistics from various government departments on how juveniles interact with the justice system, including specific details about decisions made at different stages of the process. The legislation mandates that this data be broken down by demographic factors such as age, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation to allow for more detailed analysis. Additionally, the bill updates legal definitions to ensure consistent reporting on gender identity and sexual orientation while expanding the scope of mental health data to include child welfare systems. These changes are designed to provide the governor, state officials, and the public with a clearer, more comprehensive picture of the juvenile justice landscape in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law to clarify how courts determine the best interests of children in family and probate cases. It introduces specific definitions for shared and sole decision-making and residential responsibilities, requiring parents to submit a detailed parenting plan that outlines schedules and dispute resolution methods. The legislation establishes that parents generally have equal rights unless misconduct is present, while also allowing courts to order temporary sole decision-making if shared arrangements are not in the child's best interest. Additionally, the bill mandates written findings from judges when they order shared responsibilities despite existing abuse prevention or protective orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to specifically criminalize the act of enticing a child under 16 into a vehicle without the permission of a parent or guardian. It prohibits this behavior for most individuals but includes exceptions for law enforcement, emergency responders, and certain employees of state or nonprofit organizations acting within their official duties. The legislation also establishes an affirmative defense for those who enter a vehicle to address a genuine emergency or to protect the child's health and safety. Anyone found guilty of violating this new provision could face up to five years in state prison or a fine of up to $5,000.