Sen. Liz Miranda

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Harmony Commission to examine how the state handles care and protection cases for children. The commission will be composed of judges, lawyers, government officials, and community representatives, including individuals with personal experience in the foster care system. Its main task is to review current laws and practices to find ways that better protect the rights and well-being of children, while also considering the impact on families and parents. The group will specifically look at how the system affects children from diverse backgrounds and will study issues like sibling visitation rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the rights of municipalities, state legislators, and groups of ratepayers to participate fully in public utility proceedings without needing legal representation. It also updates rules for gas companies regarding street work by requiring them to provide detailed information about pipeline conditions and repair plans before obtaining permission to dig. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that damage to public trees caused by gas leaks counts as property damage and establishes a process for cities to enforce compliance with information requests. These changes aim to increase transparency and public involvement in utility decisions while ensuring utility companies maintain clear records of their infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to update high school graduation requirements and improve support for struggling schools. It establishes a new competency determination based on mastery of core skills in math, science, technology, and English, allowing districts to include history, social science, and foreign languages. Students who do not meet these standards would receive an educational assistance plan to help them achieve mastery, while parents would have the chance to review these plans. Additionally, the bill changes how schools identified for comprehensive support are selected, requiring that student growth be weighted as heavily as student achievement in the evaluation formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the ability of individuals in Massachusetts to have their juvenile and young adult criminal records permanently erased from public view. It primarily affects people who were arrested as minors or young adults and whose cases did not result in a conviction or delinquency adjudication. The law removes strict limits on the number of offenses eligible for expungement and extends the waiting period for felonies to seven years while reducing it to three years for misdemeanors and juvenile cases. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that expunged records cannot be used to identify individuals except for statistical or research purposes and prohibits the sharing of fingerprints for arrests made before a person reaches the age of criminal majority.

Senate, June 27, 2024 -- Text of amendment (301) (offered by Senator Miranda) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2834) to the Senate Bill relative to the Affordable Housing Act

Senate, June 27, 2024 -- Text of amendment (242) (offered by Senator Comerford) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2834) to the Senate Bill relative to the Affordable Housing Act

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to officially establish Indigenous Peoples Day, observed annually on the second Monday in October. It directs the governor to issue a yearly proclamation recommending that schools and communities hold appropriate exercises to honor Indigenous history, cultures, and resilience. The legislation specifically requires these observances to acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples while celebrating their continued existence. Directly affecting the state's executive branch and public institutions, the bill formalizes a day of recognition and education within the state calendar.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Massachusetts taxpayers can claim a state tax deduction for charitable donations. Under the new rules, individuals can only take this deduction in years when they do not itemize their federal tax returns, rather than being allowed to claim it regardless of their federal filing method. The change applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2022, affecting all state taxpayers who make charitable contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts state law to require most public meetings to be held as hybrid events, allowing citizens to attend both in person and online. It mandates that meeting notices be posted at least 48 hours in advance on official websites and in public buildings, including details on how to join remotely. The legislation defines hybrid meetings as those conducted simultaneously in a physical location and via internet technology, while also establishing specific rules for emergency situations and hardship waivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a moratorium on the construction and expansion of 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 that would result in increased bed counts, while still allowing necessary maintenance and code compliance work. These restrictions will remain in effect for five years after the bill takes force.