Sen. Bruce Tarr

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 protect food service businesses and retail stores from civil lawsuits when they donate food directly to individuals at no cost or only to cover handling fees. The protection applies to food that is not misbranded, adulterated, or stored in violation of health regulations, provided the donor did not act negligently, recklessly, or intentionally. By removing liability for injuries caused by the condition of donated food, the legislation aims to encourage more direct food donations to individuals in need.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to combat human trafficking in Massachusetts by requiring public transportation hubs, vehicles, and hospitals to display signs with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline and information on identifying victims. It mandates that the state department create and regularly update training programs for transit and hospital employees to recognize trafficking signs and know how to report suspected cases. Additionally, the legislation prohibits individuals convicted of sex trafficking or forced labor from obtaining commercial motor vehicle licenses unless they receive a court order declaring their innocence. These measures focus on increasing public awareness and improving the ability of frontline workers to identify and respond to human trafficking situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Crawford's Law, amends Massachusetts law to allow pet owners to sue for financial damages if someone willfully, wantonly, recklessly, or negligently causes the unnecessary death of their cat or dog. The legislation establishes that owners can recover the fair monetary value of the animal, along with compensation for loss of companionship, special services, and afterlife expenses, with a specific cap of $30,000 for non-economic damages. Owners must file a lawsuit within three years of the animal's death or when they reasonably should have known about the incident to seek these damages.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows employees of the Cape Ann Transportation Authority to buy back retirement credit for specific periods of past employment starting July 1, 2022. It overrides previous rules that might have restricted this option, enabling these workers to pay for service time to increase their future pension benefits. The legislation applies only to this specific transit authority and does not change retirement rules for other public employees in Massachusetts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law to provide clearer definitions for how parents share decision-making and living arrangements for their children in family and probate court. It establishes specific terms for shared versus sole responsibility regarding major decisions like education and medical care, as well as shared versus primary residential time. The legislation requires courts to consider the child's welfare when dividing parental duties and mandates that parents submit a detailed parenting plan during contested cases. Additionally, it clarifies that temporary shared legal custody applies automatically when a case is filed, unless there is evidence of abuse or neglect.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts wiretap laws to allow law enforcement to use modern electronic surveillance for specific crimes that cannot be investigated through normal methods. It explicitly prohibits private individuals from secretly using these devices while requiring strict judicial oversight for any law enforcement use. The legislation expands the definition of "wire communication" to include digital and satellite transmissions but excludes tracking devices and financial data. Additionally, it clarifies that body-mounted and vehicle-mounted cameras used openly by uniformed officers do not count as illegal intercepting devices.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to explicitly include state and county corrections officers in a specific legal provision regarding injuries sustained in the line of duty. By adding these officers to the list of covered personnel, the legislation ensures they are recognized alongside other public safety workers for the purposes of that statute. The change is a straightforward update to the text of an existing law rather than the creation of new benefits or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to include campus police officers employed by state universities, colleges, and community colleges in the definition of public safety officers injured in the line of duty. By adding these officers to the existing list, the legislation ensures they are eligible for the same disability benefits and protections currently available to other public safety personnel. The change directly affects law enforcement staff working on public higher education campuses who may be injured while performing their official duties.

Maddy summaryStavri's Law requires Massachusetts courts to record specific details about individuals who make suicidal threats or engage in suicidal behavior while in court custody. The bill mandates that judges enter the person's name, address, age, reason for detention, and the nature and date of the incident into the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services computer system. This requirement applies to both people facing criminal charges and those involved in civil commitment proceedings related to mental health. The law aims to create a centralized record of these events to improve tracking and response protocols for at-risk individuals within the justice system.