Sen. John Keenan

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 establishes a formal training program for supporters and decision-makers involved in supported decision-making agreements for adults with disabilities in Massachusetts. It requires state agencies to educate these individuals on their rights and obligations while ensuring the training is accessible and developed with input from those who use the system. Additionally, the legislation mandates that schools inform students and families about supported decision-making as an alternative to guardianship during transition planning and Individualized Education Program meetings. Finally, the bill updates legal procedures to require courts to consider alternatives to guardianship and to review any existing supported decision-making agreements when evaluating a request for guardianship.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants legislative employees in the Massachusetts General Court the right to collectively bargain regarding their working conditions. It achieves this by amending state law to explicitly include these employees under the collective bargaining framework previously reserved for executive branch workers. The legislation defines "legislative employees" to cover a wide range of staff, including those working for committees, caucuses, and administrative offices, while allowing specific managerial or confidential roles to be excluded from bargaining units. Additionally, the bill updates conflict of interest rules to create procedures for handling potential conflicts involving exclusive representatives for these employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts firearm laws to explicitly include 3D-printed guns and "ghost guns" under existing regulations. It achieves this by legally defining the "frame" and "receiver" of a firearm to cover parts that can be easily assembled into a working weapon, regardless of their specific design or lack of serial numbers. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the sale, purchase, or possession of any firearm that cannot be detected by standard airport security scanners and bans individuals from using 3D printers to create guns or parts without a federal manufacturing license. These changes aim to close legal loopholes that currently allow the production and transfer of unserialized firearms made through additive manufacturing.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that incarcerated individuals under the age of 22 in Massachusetts have access to high school graduation, higher education, and vocational training. It mandates that correctional facilities provide at least six hours of classroom instruction daily throughout the year and grant credit for coursework completed while in custody. The legislation also requires facilities to identify and support students with special education needs, including providing translation services for English language learners. Additionally, it establishes standards for teaching staff and ensures that educational plans are adapted to the correctional environment without hindering a student's progress.

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 local bill authorizes the town of Braintree to process the retirement of police officer William R. Cushing Jr. It is a procedural measure requiring no new policy changes, solely facilitating the retirement process for this specific officer. The bill passed with local approval from Braintree officials.

Senate, July 11, 2024 -- Text of amendment (34) (offered by Senator Comerford) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2856) to the Senate Bill relative to economic development

Senate, July 11, 2024 -- Text of amendment (474) (offered by Senator Crighton) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2856) to the Senate Bill relative to economic development

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