Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts laws regarding sexual relations between young adults and minors to reduce criminal penalties in specific circumstances. It creates an exception where individuals are not prosecuted if they are no more than two years older than the minor and the minor is at least 13 years old. Additionally, the bill mandates that cases involving defendants under the age of criminal majority must be handled exclusively in juvenile court rather than adult court. Finally, it repeals an existing statute that previously addressed similar situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to remove two specific sections of Massachusetts law that currently prohibit certain acts performed with other people or animals. By repealing these sections, the legislation aims to eliminate legal restrictions that critics argue are rooted in homophobia and transphobia. The change would directly affect individuals who might otherwise face criminal penalties under these repealed statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits law enforcement officers and agencies in Massachusetts from purchasing, obtaining, using, or allowing the use of tear gas and similar chemical irritants. By amending Chapter 6 of the state's General Laws, the legislation specifically targets substances that cause rapid sensory irritation or disabling physical effects upon exposure. Any violation of this ban would result in a criminal fine of $5,000 for the responsible officer or agency. The measure directly affects police departments and individual officers who might otherwise deploy these tools during public order situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts eviction laws to create a two-step process for all housing court cases and pause evictions when tenants are seeking rental aid. Under the new rules, every case must first attend a mediation session to explore options before a trial date is set, and no default judgments or evictions can occur if a tenant has an active application for financial help. The legislation directly affects landlords, tenants, and courts by requiring judges to grant delays in eviction proceedings whenever a rental assistance request is pending. These changes aim to ensure tenants have time to secure funding before facing removal from their homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts hate crime laws to require defendants found guilty or granted a "continuation without a finding" to complete a diversity awareness program before being released from prison or finishing their probation. The mandatory program is designed by the state's public safety secretary, developed with input from the commission against discrimination, and approved by the chief justice of the trial court. Courts must order this training unless they provide specific written reasons for an exemption based on good cause. The law explicitly covers hate crimes motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Massachusetts state law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and other subdivisions from entering into, extending, or renewing any contracts with the federal government. The law specifically targets agreements related to civil immigration detention and restricts such partnerships to a maximum of ninety days after the bill takes effect. It empowers the state Attorney General to sue entities that violate these restrictions and allows private citizens to file lawsuits against violators. The legislation aims to limit state involvement in federal immigration enforcement while ensuring that local officers can still perform their standard public safety duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Correctional Oversight Office to help implement recommendations from the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The new office will focus on addressing four specific forms of racism identified in the legislation: institutional policies, systemic interactions between agencies, interpersonal treatment, and internalized biases affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. By establishing this office, the state aims to improve transparency and equity in areas such as healthcare access, job training, and data tracking for both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The law also defines key terms like "correctional facility" and "correctional community members" to ensure clear application of these oversight measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Program designed to help homeowners facing foreclosure by requiring lenders and borrowers to attend supervised mediation conferences. The program applies to loans secured by primary residences, including small rental properties, condominiums, and cooperatives, but excludes government tax or judgment liens. During these conferences, a neutral mediator facilitates a good faith effort between the creditor and borrower to explore sustainable alternatives to foreclosure, such as loan modifications or repayment plans. A key provision mandates that the lender's representative at the conference cannot be the same person representing the lender in any subsequent court foreclosure proceedings. This legislative change aims to establish a structured, non-court process for resolving mortgage disputes before properties are lost.

By Representatives Linsky of Natick and Vitolo of Brookline, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2359) of David Paul Linsky, Tommy Vitolo and others for legislation to prohibit carrying firearms in certain sensitive places. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Meschino of Hull, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Joan Meschino and others for legislation to create a climate bank to facilitate innovative financing solutions for climate and clean energy innovations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Financial Services.