Sen. Cynthia Creem

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state child welfare department to report quarterly on how often it takes children into emergency custody without first getting a court order, including the time it takes to seek approval. It also allows judges to grant emergency custody orders by telephone when courts are closed, ensuring that children can be removed quickly when there is an immediate threat of serious harm. Additionally, the law mandates that if a child is taken into temporary custody under these emergency conditions, the department must obtain judicial approval within four hours and provide a sworn affidavit explaining the reasons for the action. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure that emergency removals are both necessary and promptly reviewed by the court.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Brookline to update its Community Choice Aggregation program, allowing the town to manage electricity supply for residents and businesses. The legislation permits the town to charge small fees on electricity bills to fund local solar projects, energy storage, and infrastructure upgrades, as well as to offer time-of-use rates and discounts for electric vehicle charging. Participation in the updated plan will be automatic for current customers, but residents have the right to opt out within 180 days and return to standard utility service. The town must still follow a specific process involving a town meeting vote and a public hearing with the state utility department before the changes take effect.

Senate, June 6, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 241) of Joanne M. Comerford that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to special education funding reform; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 249) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Vanna Howard for legislation to ensure equitable access to education, including special education services, for all students in Massachusetts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 269) of Ryan C. Fattman for legislation to prevent discrimination in interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 324) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to accommodations for special needs students taking the MCAS examination; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 332) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Adam Scanlon, Lydia Edwards, Patrick M. O'Connor and other members of the General Court that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education in the Commonwealth; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 356) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to conduct a study on the delivery of special education services, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2807).

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes moving the administration of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. Under the new structure, the Commissioner of Mental Health would oversee the facility's operations and provide medical and mental health treatment for male patients committed there. The legislation also establishes a new division for forensic mental health services to handle court-ordered evaluations and other legal assessments, while removing specific references to the hospital's former medical director from various state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows eligible Massachusetts residents to register and vote immediately at their local polling place or early voting site by presenting proof of residence and signing an affidavit, rather than waiting for their name to appear on the official voter roll. To qualify, individuals must show a valid photo ID or other documents like utility bills or lease agreements that confirm their name and address, and they must swear they are not already registered elsewhere. If a person cannot provide proof of residence at the time of registration, the bill permits them to cast a provisional ballot and submit the required documentation within two business days after a primary or six days after a general election. The legislation also requires election officials to add these new registrants to the official voter list as soon as practicable and restricts voters who register under this method from changing their party affiliation at that specific primary.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts election laws to improve voter registration accuracy and ensure polling places are accessible for people with disabilities. It requires registrars to automatically move voters who change addresses to an inactive list unless they respond to a mailed notice, while also protecting individuals in domestic violence situations from having their information publicly disclosed. Additionally, the bill mandates that state officials inspect polling sites every four years to verify compliance with accessibility requirements and provides a mechanism for the state secretary to enforce these standards. These changes aim to streamline the voter roll maintenance process and guarantee that all voters can access their polling locations without barriers.

April 22, 2024 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 240) of Nick Collins for legislation relative to mental health education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 247) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Susannah M. Whipps for legislation relative to remodel public school athletics through social-emotional learning; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 248) of Cynthia Stone Creem and Vanna Howard for legislation to promote social-emotional learning; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 276) of Barry R. Finegold and Vanna Howard for legislation relative to safety and violence education for students (the SAVE Students Act); (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 333) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Sal N. DiDomenico for legislation relative to prescription opioid abuse prevention education; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 342) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation relative to substance use education in public schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 346) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Lydia Edwards and James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensuring access to mental health supports in K-12 schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 350) of Michael F. Rush and Paul McMurtry for legislation relative to physical and social recess in schools, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2741).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to commission a university or nonprofit organization to create a biennial report analyzing crime gun data. The report will examine statistics on firearms crimes, arrests, and the effectiveness of current gun regulations and reporting mechanisms. It will also analyze patterns in how guns used in crimes were purchased, including whether they came from licensed dealers or private sellers and how often the same buyer is linked to multiple firearms. All data included in the report must be presented in an aggregate format that does not identify specific individuals. The final report will be sent to state legislative leaders and public safety committee chairs by March of every even-numbered year.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to stop the illegal trading of guns by adding a new rule that limits how many firearms or large-capacity weapons a person can buy, rent, or lease in a 30-day period. Under the new law, gun dealers must check a database to ensure a buyer has not made another purchase within the last month and must receive confirmation from the state before completing the sale. The law includes exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, licensed collectors, and museums, while also requiring that short-term rentals last at least 48 hours to qualify for the limit. Additionally, the bill updates existing records to make certain information available to prosecutors and changes the time frame for dealers to report specific transactions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Violence Prevention Trust Fund to support local programs aimed at reducing youth and gun violence. It establishes a 4.75 percent surcharge on the retail sale and use of ammunition, rifles, shotguns, and firearm parts, directing all revenue from this tax into the fund. Additionally, the legislation makes it illegal to sell, purchase, rent, lease, or possess .50 BMG rifles and their corresponding cartridges, with specific penalties for violations. The law includes exemptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and other authorized state or federal employees acting within the scope of their duties.