Sen. Adam Gómez

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect the in-person visitation rights of incarcerated individuals by prohibiting correctional facilities from unreasonably restricting access. It mandates that facilities provide at least five four-hour visiting periods per week and allows visitors to travel from over 75 miles away without prior approval if they pass a background check. The legislation also bans discrimination against visitors based on their criminal history or past incarceration and requires that new visitors be allowed to see an inmate within ten days of their request. Additionally, it prevents facilities from forcing inmates to choose between visiting family and other loved ones and stops the requirement for pre-approval lists to be reset when an inmate is transferred to a new facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new independent office dedicated to overseeing structural racism within Massachusetts correctional facilities. The office will collect and analyze detailed data on incarcerated people and staff, breaking down information by race, ethnicity, gender, and other demographics to monitor daily operations. Its primary goal is to track progress in dismantling systemic racial inequalities identified by a previous legislative commission. By creating this independent oversight body, the legislation aims to ensure transparency and accountability in how the justice system treats Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Safe Communities Act, aims to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents by restricting how law enforcement interacts with individuals regarding their immigration status. It prohibits police officers and other law enforcement employees from questioning victims or witnesses about their immigration status unless required by state or federal law, while allowing judges and magistrates to make such inquiries during legal proceedings. Additionally, the legislation mandates that any interviews conducted by immigration agents or law enforcement for deportation purposes must happen only with the person's informed consent, which requires signing a written form explaining the purpose and consequences of the interview. The consent form must be available in English and other languages commonly spoken in the state, and it must offer the option for the individual to have an attorney present during the interview.

Senate, July 11, 2024 -- Text of amendment (351) (offered by Senator Lewis) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2856) to the Senate Bill relative to economic development

Maddy summaryHD 4751 would allow the city of Springfield to raise the maximum age for appointing special police officers. The city has already received local approval (from the mayor and city council) for this change. The bill authorizes Springfield to adjust the age limit without needing new state legislation, directly affecting who can be hired for these roles. This policy change would expand the pool of eligible candidates for special police officer positions in the city.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund to provide annual funding of at least $150 million to regional transit authorities across Massachusetts. The money will come from a portion of the surcharges currently collected from transportation network companies, such as ride-sharing services. The funding amount will automatically adjust each year based on inflation and cannot increase by more than three percent compared to the previous year. Additionally, the law limits how much any single transit authority can receive to ensure the money is distributed among multiple organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and expands the authority of Massachusetts' child advocate to access juvenile and adult arrest records, court proceedings, and various state agency data to better oversee child welfare services. It grants the advocate unrestricted access to electronic systems and physical facilities operated by executive agencies, including the right to inspect and copy relevant court records without cost. Additionally, the legislation broadens the scope of the advocate's annual examinations to include specific analyses of racial disparities, law enforcement involvement, and the effectiveness of child abuse prevention efforts. The changes ensure that these expanded data access powers are not limited by existing privacy restrictions found in other state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to update high school graduation requirements and improve support for struggling schools. It establishes a new competency determination based on mastery of core skills in math, science, technology, and English, allowing districts to include history, social science, and foreign languages. Students who do not meet these standards would receive an educational assistance plan to help them achieve mastery, while parents would have the chance to review these plans. Additionally, the bill changes how schools identified for comprehensive support are selected, requiring that student growth be weighted as heavily as student achievement in the evaluation formula.

Senate, June 27, 2024 -- Text of amendment (301) (offered by Senator Miranda) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2834) to the Senate Bill relative to the Affordable Housing Act

Senate, June 27, 2024 -- Text of amendment (242) (offered by Senator Comerford) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2834) to the Senate Bill relative to the Affordable Housing Act