Sen. Liz Miranda

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 creates a special legislative commission to audit how Massachusetts funds programs aimed at preventing gun violence. The commission will be made up of members from grassroots and community-based organizations in areas most affected by gun violence. Its investigation will examine specific state grants and initiatives, track where money has been spent by neighborhood, and identify which communities have suffered the most from gun violence. Within 180 days, the group must submit a report with its findings and recommendations to various state committees and officials.

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.

Senate, July 22, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to successful transition and re-entry to tomorrow for incarcerated persons (Senate, No. 1506),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2883).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional facilities in Massachusetts to begin preparing incarcerated individuals for re-entry at least 120 days before their release. Specifically, it mandates that officials secure necessary documents and apply for state identification cards, prioritizing REAL ID-compliant licenses if possible, or standard licenses if full documentation cannot be obtained. The legislation also expands the types of addresses accepted for identification purposes, allowing individuals to list the home of a family member, a temporary group residence, a community institution, or a city hall address if they lack a permanent residence. Additionally, the bill defines "family member" broadly to include extended relatives and establishes a process where notices are sent to third-party address providers to allow them to object before an address is listed on an ID.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to clarify the definitions of permanent incapacitation and terminal illness for medical parole purposes, specifying that terminal illness must likely result in death within 18 months. It establishes a formal process allowing petitions for medical parole to be filed by prisoners, their attorneys, family members, or medical staff, requiring prison superintendents to review these requests and submit recommendations to the state commissioner within 21 days. The legislation also mandates that the Department of Correction identify cognitively impaired prisoners through annual standardized testing for those aged 55 and older and report these findings to legal organizations to ensure eligible individuals are not overlooked. Additionally, the bill creates a role for a "surrogate decision-maker" to advocate for incarcerated individuals who cannot speak for themselves and requires the Department to proactively submit petitions on behalf of permanently cognitively incapacitated prisoners.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new nine-member commission called the Massachusetts Correctional Officer Accountability, Standards and Training Commission to oversee training and accountability for correctional officers. The commission will include members appointed by the governor, a retired correctional officer, a social worker, and other representatives from various groups to review standards and investigate serious incidents involving officers. It establishes specific definitions for terms like "chokehold" and "deadly force" to clarify when an officer's actions may be considered excessive or prohibited. The legislation aims to improve oversight by creating a dedicated body that can set training requirements and address misconduct within correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Correctional Inspector General office in Massachusetts to oversee and improve transparency within the state's correctional facilities. The office will be led by a civilian appointed by the attorney general, state auditor, and treasurer from a list of three candidates provided by a diverse nominating committee that includes representatives from various community groups and legal organizations. The inspector general will serve a five-year term, can be removed only for just cause, and is prohibited from having prior employment in the Department of Correction or any sheriff's office to ensure independence. By adding records from this new office to the state's public records law, the legislation aims to increase accountability and oversight for incarcerated populations without specifying particular operational changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new parole review process for incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts who are at least 55 years old and have served either half of their sentence or 15 years, whichever comes first. It mandates that the parole board schedule a hearing within 60 days of eligibility, giving special attention to the person's age, long-term confinement, and any physical or mental conditions. The legislation also requires the provision of legal counsel and expert funds for indigent defendants, while prohibiting bias based on race, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the bill directs the parole board to submit an annual report detailing the demographics and outcomes of these hearings to state legislators.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts state law to standardize protections for all prisoners placed in segregated confinement, which includes various forms of isolation like disciplinary housing and mental health watch. It establishes specific definitions for different housing types, such as secure adjustment units designed for rehabilitation and secure treatment units for those with serious mental illness, while ensuring these areas offer access to education, recreation, and visitation comparable to the general population. The legislation also mandates that prisoners in these units retain certain rights, including access to personal property and communication devices, unless a qualified mental health professional determines it is unsafe to do so. By amending existing statutes, the bill aims to ensure that conditions in isolated housing are not more restrictive than those in general population units and that inmates receive necessary services and opportunities.