Sen. Jo Comerford

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 amends Massachusetts laws to explicitly include licensed private detectives and investigators when defining who is prohibited from accessing certain state records. It specifically bans these professionals from using motor vehicle registrar data or facial recognition systems for any purpose that conflicts with their professional licensing rules. The legislation also mandates that the licenses of any private investigators caught violating these new prohibitions will be immediately revoked.

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.

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.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to remove financial and administrative obstacles for people accessing HIV prevention medication. It requires health insurance plans covering these drugs to eliminate all cost-sharing fees, such as co-pays and deductibles, and to stop requiring prior authorization or step therapy that could delay treatment. The law also mandates that necessary support services, like regular check-ups and counseling, be included in the coverage without extra charges. By streamlining access, the legislation seeks to ensure that individuals can obtain and maintain HIV prevention drugs without facing financial barriers or administrative hurdles.

By Representatives Khan of Newton and Santiago of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2859) of Kay Khan, Jon Santiago and others for legislation to impose an excise tax on distributors of certain drinks with added sugar and promoting healthy alternatives to such drinks. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the city charter of Northampton to allow residents aged sixteen or older to vote in preliminary, special, and regular city elections. The change directly affects young adults in Northampton who currently cannot vote in local races due to age restrictions. By updating the specific articles in the city's governing document, the legislation lowers the voting age for local elections from eighteen to sixteen. This policy adjustment applies only to Northampton and does not alter voting rules for state or federal elections.