Sen. Liz Miranda

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a statewide ban on law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts using facial recognition or other remote biometric surveillance technology, with the exception of the Department of Motor Vehicles for verifying driver identities. It directly affects police departments and other public safety organizations by prohibiting them from acquiring, possessing, or contracting for such software unless explicitly authorized by a separate law. The legislation also ensures that any evidence obtained through the unauthorized use of these tools cannot be used in court proceedings. By defining specific terms like "biometric surveillance technology" and "public agency," the law creates clear boundaries for what is permitted while restricting the ability of government entities to use automated systems that identify individuals based on their physical features.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to public higher education in Massachusetts by allowing high school graduates who have attended and graduated from a local high school for at least three years to pay in-state tuition rates. It specifically applies to students who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents but have completed their secondary education within the state, with limited exceptions for medical and law schools. To qualify, eligible students must provide a social security number or an individual taxpayer identification number, along with documentation showing they have applied for citizenship or permanent residency within 120 days if they are not yet citizens. The legislation also requires those eligible for military selective service to register, while ensuring that no one loses their in-state tuition eligibility based on this new provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new center within the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to provide free, evidence-based training on mental health first aid and trauma-informed care. The program will offer eight-hour courses in both in-person and virtual formats, available in multiple languages to help residents recognize mental health signs, reduce stigma, and learn how to support others in distress. Funding for the center will come from state appropriations, private grants, and donations, while the center must submit an annual report detailing training usage and effectiveness to state officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new advisory board dedicated to studying and recommending minimum standards for wages, benefits, working hours, training, and safety conditions in Massachusetts nail salons. The fifteen-member board includes government officials, business owners, labor experts, and licensed manicurists appointed by the governor and attorney general to ensure diverse representation. Once established, the board will gather data, hold research, and submit reports with policy suggestions to state legislators and labor agencies within eighteen months, though it does not have the power to adjudicate individual complaints.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to prohibit sterilization for adults who are in state institutions or under guardianship if they are deemed unable to give informed consent. It also expands Medicaid coverage to include voluntary female sterilization procedures without requiring the federally mandated 30-day waiting period, provided patients complete decision counseling and sign an informed consent form. The legislation directly affects physicians, healthcare providers, and individuals seeking sterilization, particularly those within the Medicaid system. By removing the waiting period requirement under specific conditions, the bill aims to facilitate access to sterilization while establishing new counseling and consent protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new regulatory framework for recovery housing, commonly known as sober homes, in Massachusetts by repealing an older accreditation law and creating a new permit system. It requires operators of these residences to obtain a "determination of need permit" from the state Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, which must include detailed information about the facility's rules, intake procedures, and resident management. A key provision restricts the issuance of these permits in "impacted communities," defined as neighborhoods with low income, high minority populations, or limited English proficiency, while allowing operators to bypass local zoning laws that might otherwise prohibit such housing. The legislation aims to centralize oversight and ensure that recovery housing is distributed based on regional need rather than local restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Massachusetts allocates revenue from the state's cannabis industry to ensure a more balanced distribution of funds. It requires that 50 percent of the revenue be directed toward public health, safety, and community programs, specifically targeting individuals and communities disproportionately affected by past marijuana enforcement. The legislation removes a previous requirement to spend a portion of the funds on municipal police training, shifting that money to support restorative justice, jail diversion, and workforce development initiatives. By increasing the share dedicated to community-based services and eliminating police training funding, the bill aims to prioritize economic and social support in areas historically impacted by cannabis laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to modify how revenue from the cannabis industry is spent. It removes the requirement to allocate funds for public safety and municipal police training, while keeping the money designated for public health, the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, and programs supporting communities historically harmed by marijuana enforcement. The change effectively shifts the focus of these reinvested funds away from law enforcement activities toward health services and restorative justice initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to launch a public awareness campaign aimed at helping disadvantaged applicants access existing business resources. The campaign will specifically target communities harmed by the war on drugs and other marginalized groups to inform them about available support programs. By collaborating with advisory boards and non-profit organizations led by formerly incarcerated people, the legislation seeks to improve information sharing and promote equitable participation in the state's cannabis industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals in Massachusetts to petition the court to seal their eviction records if the eviction was not caused by nonpayment of rent or a breach of the lease agreement. The law defines specific terms such as "no-fault eviction" to clarify which cases are eligible for sealing and requires that all appeals be exhausted before a petition can be filed. By removing these records from public view, the legislation aims to help tenants with clean rental histories improve their chances of securing future housing. The changes apply to anyone with a relevant court record in the state's trial court system.