Sen. Liz Miranda

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to change how people are handled for possessing small amounts of controlled substances without a prescription. Instead of facing criminal charges or jail time, individuals caught with these substances would be issued a low civil fine and referred to a screening service. The screening, conducted by trained staff, assesses needs for health care, housing, food, and legal aid based on the person's own priorities. If the individual completes this screening within 45 days, the fine is waived and the citation is dismissed, with the process explicitly not counting as an admission of guilt.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new Massachusetts public bank that would be entirely owned by the state to hold a portion of public funds and invest them within the commonwealth. The bank is designed to support local economic goals by providing affordable financing to small businesses, minority and women-owned enterprises, cooperatives, and family farms, while also addressing needs in affordable housing and climate change mitigation. To ensure transparency and community involvement, the bank must operate under a governance structure that includes public input and will be supervised by the commissioner of banks for safety and soundness.

By Representative Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2326) of Brandy Fluker Oakley and others relative to successful transitions and re-entries for incarcerated persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kristin E. Kassner and Liz Miranda relative to zoning voting thresholds. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Maddy summaryThis bill reformers parole supervision in Massachusetts by requiring the parole board to justify every condition imposed on a parolee based on the specific crime committed and explaining why less restrictive options would not ensure community safety. It restricts the board from issuing blanket bans on associating with people or using alcohol and drugs unless those restrictions are directly tied to the original offense. The legislation also introduces compliance credits that can reduce the time a parolee spends under supervision if they successfully meet all conditions without violations, while maintaining the ability to revoke parole for serious non-compliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies the process for medical parole, ensuring that if a prisoner's terminal illness improves, they can be returned to prison with credit given only for the time served while compliant with medical parole terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows teachers and public school employees in Massachusetts who joined the retirement system before July 1, 2001, but never chose an alternative retirement plan, to make a one-time election to join that alternative program. To qualify, individuals must have started contributing to the Teachers' Retirement System or the Boston Retirement System on or before that same 2001 date. Those eligible must make their choice between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, or before they retire if they apply for benefits earlier. If they choose to participate, they will contribute 11 percent of their salary to the plan and may need to pay back contributions from the time they originally joined the system.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase fairness in the parole system by updating how the Massachusetts Parole Board is structured and how hearings are conducted. It requires the board to include at least four members with backgrounds in mental health or social work, one licensed mental health professional, and one formerly incarcerated person with relevant experience. Additionally, the legislation mandates that all board members, parole officers, and related staff undergo annual training on cultural competency and implicit bias. The bill also sets strict timelines for public hearings, ensuring that hearings for life-sentence prisoners occur no later than 90 days before their parole eligibility date and that decisions are made within a specific window. These changes are designed to ensure that parole decisions are made by a diverse panel with lived experience and that the process is timely and transparent for eligible prisoners.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires correctional facilities in Massachusetts to provide free voice telephone calls for incarcerated individuals and their families. It mandates that these calls be available at all times in all housing units, provided they do not disrupt educational or routine facility activities, and ensures that access levels do not drop below what existed before the law passed. The legislation also requires facilities to enable calling features on existing tablets and guarantees that landline phones remain available if tablet services fail. Additionally, the law prohibits the use of contracts that generate revenue or commissions from inmate phone calls and explicitly states that these changes do not limit in-person visitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to require Medicaid, known as MassHealth, to cover doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, including those with specific immigration statuses. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The legislation mandates that the state cover continuous labor support and at least six visits, including two postpartum visits, without needing prior approval. Additionally, the bill establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed of practicing doulas and community members to oversee program implementation, set training standards, and ensure diverse recruitment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid and certain other insurance plans to cover doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, including those with limited immigration status. It defines doula services as non-medical support provided during pregnancy, labor, and up to one year after birth, covering activities such as continuous labor support, home visits, and connecting families to community resources. The legislation mandates that plans cover continuous labor support and at least six visits across the prenatal and postpartum period without needing prior approval. Additionally, the bill creates a Doula Advisory Committee to guide policy implementation, ensuring the committee includes diverse representatives such as practicing doulas, individuals with lived maternal health experiences, and people from communities with worse maternal outcomes.