Sen. Becca Rausch

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 expands media access within Massachusetts correctional facilities by granting journalists the same visitation and communication rights as attorneys. It allows news media representatives to meet incarcerated individuals in person or via video without restrictions based on housing placement or disciplinary status, while also ensuring unmonitored and confidential telephone calls. The legislation requires prisons and jails to register media credentials online, publish this information for inmates, and permit attorneys to bring reporters on legal visits. Additionally, the law prohibits retaliation against inmates who communicate with the press and mandates that correction officials update their regulations to reflect these new access provisions.

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 bill requires covered employers in Massachusetts to submit detailed wage data reports alongside their existing annual reports to the state secretary. The state secretary will then compile this information and publish aggregate wage statistics on the executive office of labor and workforce development website, organized by industry and released annually by June 1. While the bill mandates the collection and public release of these aggregate statistics, it explicitly excludes the individual wage data reports from being considered public records, thereby protecting specific employer information from public disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to update the rules for how acute hospitals in Massachusetts are governed and managed. It directly affects hospital boards, administrators, and the state health department by establishing new requirements for their operations. The legislation introduces specific mechanisms to ensure these facilities maintain high standards of care and financial stability. By setting clearer guidelines, the bill seeks to improve oversight without changing the fundamental nature of hospital services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to dispense up to a 30-day supply of insulin without a doctor's immediate authorization during emergency situations where a patient cannot quickly reach their provider. The law defines an emergency as a time when obtaining standard authorization is not readily available and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if the medication is essential to prevent harm. To prevent abuse, the bill restricts pharmacists from providing this emergency supply to the same patient more than once within any six-month period. Additionally, the legislation updates several state laws to explicitly include insulin as an item that can be dispensed under these emergency conditions.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new tax on bottled sugary drinks sold in Massachusetts to encourage consumers to choose healthier beverage options. The legislation defines specific terms such as "sugary drink," "sugar," and "non-nutritive sweetener" to determine which products are subject to the tax, while explicitly exempting milk, natural juices, and beverages for medical use. Revenue generated from this tax will be directed to the state's Health Promotion Fund to support public health initiatives. The law applies to distributors, retailers, and manufacturers selling these products within the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new safety standards to prevent heat illness for outdoor public sector workers in Massachusetts, such as those in landscaping and construction. It requires employers to provide free, cool drinking water and adequate shade whenever temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with specific rules for smaller shifts or cooler weather. The law also defines key terms like "outdoor worker" and "heat illness" to clarify which employees are covered and what conditions constitute a safety risk. By amending existing state labor laws, the measure aims to protect public employees from medical emergencies caused by extreme heat exposure.