Sen. Adam Gómez

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the age of criminal majority in Massachusetts from 18 to 21, meaning individuals up to age 20 would be treated as minors rather than adults within the justice system. By updating the legal definition of adulthood across various state laws, the legislation ensures that young people in this age group are subject to juvenile procedures instead of adult criminal penalties. The changes apply to multiple areas including sentencing guidelines, foster care eligibility, and definitions of youthful offenders. Ultimately, the law aims to provide better support and rehabilitation opportunities for young adults while maintaining public safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to create a state receivership process for hospitals and clinics that close without giving a 90-day notice or if their shutdown would disrupt essential health services in their area. The legislation requires the state Department of Public Health to work with other agencies to establish rules for this receivership and to secure funding for it. Its primary goal is to prevent sudden closures that could harm patient access to care by ensuring a structured transition and financial support when facilities shut down.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify definitions regarding firearms, specifically targeting unserialized weapons known as ghost guns. It establishes precise meanings for terms like "frame," "receiver," and "unfinished frame or receiver" to ensure that parts intended for assembling functional guns are legally recognized. The legislation also defines "ghost guns" as those manufactured without a valid serial number and expands the scope to include nonmetallic firearms that might evade standard security detection. By updating these definitions, the bill aims to close legal gaps that currently allow individuals to assemble firearms without proper identification or tracking.

Senate, July 22, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to successful transition and re-entry to tomorrow for incarcerated persons (Senate, No. 1506),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2883).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional facilities in Massachusetts to begin preparing incarcerated individuals for re-entry at least 120 days before their release. Specifically, it mandates that officials secure necessary documents and apply for state identification cards, prioritizing REAL ID-compliant licenses if possible, or standard licenses if full documentation cannot be obtained. The legislation also expands the types of addresses accepted for identification purposes, allowing individuals to list the home of a family member, a temporary group residence, a community institution, or a city hall address if they lack a permanent residence. Additionally, the bill defines "family member" broadly to include extended relatives and establishes a process where notices are sent to third-party address providers to allow them to object before an address is listed on an ID.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new category called "violent act injury" to cover serious, permanent injuries caused by dangerous weapons like firearms, knives, or vehicles during an attack. It allows state employees in specific groups to receive disability pensions if they become permanently unable to work due to such violent attacks or related hazards while performing their duties. To qualify, the injury must have occurred within two years of the pension application, and the employee must prove through a medical review that they cannot return to their job. The legislation ensures that victims of workplace violence can access financial support similar to those injured by accidental means, provided they did not act with serious and willful misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify the definitions of permanent incapacitation and terminal illness for medical parole purposes, specifying that terminal illness must likely result in death within 18 months. It establishes a formal process allowing petitions for medical parole to be filed by prisoners, their attorneys, family members, or medical staff, requiring prison superintendents to review these requests and submit recommendations to the state commissioner within 21 days. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Correction identify cognitively impaired prisoners through annual standardized testing for those aged 55 and older and report these findings to legal organizations to ensure eligible individuals are not overlooked. Additionally, the bill creates a role for a "surrogate decision-maker" to advocate for incarcerated individuals who cannot speak for themselves and requires the Department to proactively submit petitions on behalf of permanently cognitively incapacitated prisoners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts prisons and county facilities to maximize time outside of cells and expand access to education, work, and rehabilitation programs for incarcerated individuals. It mandates that all incarcerated people receive at least one hour of daily group programming, eight hours of out-of-cell time without physical restraints, and one hour of outdoor recreation, while also ensuring access to culturally appropriate commissary and visitation rights. The legislation aims to promote human rights by prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender identity, or other characteristics and by allowing inmates to form peer support groups. Additionally, it requires that good conduct deductions be earned through a combination of in-person and virtual activities to facilitate successful re-entry into society.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce illegal gun trafficking and violence among youth in Massachusetts by requiring all firearms sold by licensed dealers to have a "microstamp" feature that identifies the gun on every cartridge fired. It limits licensed dealers to selling no more than one firearm per customer every thirty days and mandates that all future sales must involve microstamped guns, with a three-year transition period for current inventory. The law also introduces stricter penalties for purchasing multiple guns in a short time and clarifies rules for legally transferring inherited firearms. Additionally, the bill defines "microstamp" in state statutes and directs the Secretary of Public Safety to study creating an interstate agreement to help stop cross-state gun trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new parole review process for incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts who are at least 55 years old and have served either half of their sentence or 15 years, whichever comes first. It mandates that the parole board schedule a hearing within 60 days of eligibility, giving special attention to the person's age, long-term confinement, and any physical or mental conditions. The legislation also requires the provision of legal counsel and expert funds for indigent defendants, while prohibiting bias based on race, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the bill directs the parole board to submit an annual report detailing the demographics and outcomes of these hearings to state legislators.