Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryHD 2660 bans the use of painful procedures and the denial of basic human needs in facilities serving people with disabilities. The bill prohibits any Commonwealth-funded program, agency, or facility from administering procedures causing physical pain (like hitting, pinching, or electric shock) to change behavior, or denying reasonable access to sleep, food, shelter, or bathroom facilities. It directly affects all facilities receiving state funding that serve individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. The law mandates humane treatment by explicitly prohibiting practices that would be illegal if used on non-disabled individuals.

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to support the pursuit of justice against ICE. The Judiciary.

Maddy summarySD 3643 (An Act to uncover ICE) prohibits Massachusetts' registrar from issuing confidential or undercover license plates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers or agents for any purpose, including undercover operations. The bill directly affects ICE personnel operating in Massachusetts by banning the use of such plates for undercover work. Key provisions require revoking any existing confidential plates issued to ICE within 30 days of the law's effective date and preventing their renewal. This is a procedural change to vehicle registration rules, not a substantive immigration policy. (Bill pending referral to the Transportation committee.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 3641) claims to prevent federal agency memoranda (like those from ICE) from being used as legal defenses in Massachusetts state courts for civil or criminal cases. It proposes amending state law to state that such federal memoranda "shall not constitute a defense" to violations of state law. However, state courts already do not recognize federal memoranda as valid legal defenses, making this bill redundant and legally unnecessary. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee for review but would not change existing legal practice. The title "melt ICE defenses" is a mischaracterization of the bill's actual, non-substantive provisions.

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to get ICE out of families. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to de-ICE Massachusetts law enforcement. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

February, , 2026 -- The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2114) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Michael J. Barrett, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a jail and prison construction moratorium, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2944).

Senate, February 9, 2026 -- The committee on Election Laws to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 534) of Rebecca L. Rausch and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to upgrade elections infrastructure, improve voting access, and reduce municipal burden, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2936)

Senate, February , 2026 -- The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2103) of Michael D. Brady for legislation to clarify lobbying law violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2136) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to convicted lobbyists and legislative agents; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2209) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to automatically disqualify any person or organization to have engaged in an unlawful practice from acting or registering as an executive or legislative agent for a period of 4 years from the date of final determination; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2211) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation relative to close a loophole in lobbying law, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2943).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Election Day (the first Tuesday in November during even-numbered years) as a legal holiday for most workers in Massachusetts, with an exception for public employees whose jobs involve election operations. It also requires employers to provide eligible employees with 2 hours of paid leave to vote during early voting, mail-in voting periods, or on Election Day itself. Employees who already receive Election Day off as a holiday are not entitled to additional paid leave for voting on election day. The law prohibits employers from penalizing workers for using this leave in performance reviews, promotions, or other employment decisions.