Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for sexual assault survivors by expanding the types of harassment covered under Massachusetts harassment laws to include specific sexual offenses. It allows courts to issue orders requiring defendants to stay away from victims' homes and workplaces and mandates that defendants pay for losses such as medical bills, property damage, and attorney fees. A key provision requires the immediate suspension of a defendant's firearm license and the surrender of all weapons if there is a substantial likelihood of immediate danger. These changes aim to provide more comprehensive relief and safety measures for individuals affected by sexual violence.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to help survivors of abuse, human trafficking, and involuntary sexual relations by allowing them to have certain criminal records expunged or sealed. It directly affects individuals who have been victims of these crimes and later faced legal charges related to their victimization. The law creates a specific category for offenses resulting from such victimization and establishes a rebuttable presumption that a defendant's actions were due to their trauma, though official documentation is not strictly required to apply. Judges will be able to consider credible evidence and testimony when deciding on petitions for relief, and the bill also adds a prohibition against making sealed or expunged records available for inspection.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to clarify how hate crimes are defined and handled. It changes the language in the hate crime statute to specify that the offense involves harming "another" person rather than "a person," ensuring the victim is clearly distinguished from the perpetrator. Additionally, the bill mandates that any court-ordered restitution for property damage in hate crime cases must be used specifically to repair the damaged property. These changes aim to make the legal definition more precise and ensure that financial penalties directly address the harm caused to victims.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a moratorium on new construction and expansion for jails and prisons in Massachusetts. It directly affects state and public agencies by prohibiting them from building new facilities, increasing the capacity of existing ones, or converting other buildings for incarceration purposes. The law also restricts renovations and repairs unless they are strictly for maintenance or to meet building code standards. A key provision is that the ban on expanding facilities will remain in effect for five years after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines the process for sealing criminal and juvenile court records in Massachusetts by mandating that relevant agencies seal eligible records within 90 days of becoming eligible. It directly affects individuals with past criminal or delinquent records, as well as their legal representatives, by removing the requirement to obtain a separate court order to access these sealed documents. The legislation also clarifies that juvenile offenses include cases where the minor was charged as a youthful offender. By enforcing strict timelines and simplifying access procedures, the law aims to make the record sealing process more efficient and less burdensome for applicants.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends three sections of Massachusetts law to remove language that restricts legal proceedings during abuse and neglect investigations. By deleting the phrase "During any investigation or evaluation reported under section," the legislation aims to clarify that ongoing inquiries into abuse or neglect do not automatically halt other legal actions. The changes directly affect the legal framework governing how abuse and neglect cases are handled, ensuring that investigations do not inherently pause related judicial processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the Department of Correction and local sheriffs provide free voice telephone services to all inmates in Massachusetts correctional facilities, including jails and mental health units. The law requires these communication services to be available at all times, provided they do not disrupt educational programs or daily facility operations. Additionally, the bill ensures that both the incarcerated person and the recipient of the call incur no charges for these calls for a period of 90 days following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts hate-crime laws to explicitly include gender as a protected characteristic. By adding the word "gender" to the list of protected categories in state statute, the legislation ensures that individuals targeted for bias based on their gender receive the same legal protections as those targeted for race, religion, or other existing categories. The change allows law enforcement and courts to classify certain crimes as hate crimes when the perpetrator's motive involves the victim's gender.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow homeowners to rent out accessory dwelling units without being subject to state discrimination protections that typically apply to other residential leases. The legislation specifically affects owners of these secondary living spaces, granting them the legal ability to choose tenants based on their own preferences rather than adhering to standard fair housing rules. However, the law includes a provision that requires the owner to offer the unit to an immediate family member first, only waiving discrimination protections if no family member chooses to rent it.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands rental protections for elderly, disabled, and low-to-middle-income tenants in Massachusetts by allowing them to move into specialized housing without penalty. It defines eligible tenants as those aged 65 or older, individuals with disabilities, or those earning at or below 80% of the area median income. Under the new rules, these tenants can end their current leases with 30 days' written notice to move into facilities like nursing homes, assisted living, or public housing without facing liability for the remaining lease term. The legislation also forbids property owners from refusing future rentals to applicants who have exercised this right and ensures that any lease clauses attempting to override these protections are invalid.