Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summarySD 90 updates Massachusetts laws to protect hunters and anglers from harassment while lawfully harvesting fish and wildlife. The bill prohibits specific actions like blocking access, using drones to disturb wildlife, vandalizing hunting equipment, or threatening individuals engaged in hunting. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000 or jail terms of up to 5 years, depending on the offense. Fines collected will fund the state's Hunter Education Program through the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts' Tort Claims Act to explicitly include "any Law Enforcement Council established pursuant to section 4J of chapter 40" within the legal definition of entities covered by the Act. It is a technical update to the statute's language, not a substantive policy change. The amendment ensures law enforcement councils are formally recognized under the Tort Claims Act framework. This affects how the Act applies to those councils but does not alter public rights or government liability procedures.

Maddy summarySD 88 extends the civil statute of limitations for child abuse lawsuits in Massachusetts. It allows victims to file lawsuits within 35 years of the abuse or 7 years from when they discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) psychological injury, whichever is later, with the clock not starting until the victim turns 18. The bill applies to all existing cases and covers both direct abuse (as defined in specified sections of law) and cases involving negligent supervision that contributed to abuse. This change removes time barriers for victims seeking legal action, regardless of when the abuse occurred or when a claim might have previously expired.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts' domestic violence protective order law (Chapter 209A) to require courts to explicitly prohibit defendants from contacting a plaintiff's child or child in the plaintiff's care during protective orders. It directly affects victims of domestic violence, their children, and individuals accused of abuse. The key change adds a specific provision banning contact with children and ensures the protective order remains in effect even after the plaintiff's death, lasting until the order expires or is lifted by a court. This clarifies existing protections without creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 91) automatically makes property documents legally valid if they contain minor technical errors (like missing signatures, incorrect acknowledgment forms, or improper execution) and no legal challenge occurs within 10 years of the document being recorded. It directly affects property owners, title insurers, and real estate transactions involving older documents with such flaws. The key provision is a 10-year "cure period": if no lawsuit is filed challenging the defect within that timeframe, the document and its recorded title become fully effective as if no error existed. This simplifies title clearance for historical property records without requiring court intervention for minor administrative issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to test for, screen, and initiate treatment for specific health conditions - including Influenza, Streptococcal infections, COVID-19, and HIV (including PrEP/PEP) - under a statewide protocol established by the Board of Pharmacy. It directly affects pharmacists (expanding their clinical role) and patients seeking accessible testing and initial treatment for these conditions. Key provisions require pharmacists to follow the protocol, delegate administrative tasks to technicians under supervision, and refer high-risk patients for hospital care when needed. The bill also mandates insurance companies to reimburse pharmacists for these services at standard rates for other healthcare providers, ensuring fair compensation.

Maddy summaryHD 420 creates a commission to study Massachusetts' minimum pricing laws for dairy, alcohol, and tobacco products. The commission, including government officials, small business representatives, industry groups, and public health experts, will analyze how these laws affect small business costs and compare them to neighboring states. It must assess pricing impacts and recommend potential adjustments to better assist small businesses. The commission will submit a report with findings and proposed legislation within one year.

Maddy summarySD 139 requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing to identify emergency housing program participants (including those in overflow shelters) who have a financial sponsor under federal immigration law. It directs the office to seek reimbursement from those sponsors through legal action for funds improperly used to cover non-residents. The bill targets cases where federal law requires sponsors to cover costs instead of state emergency assistance. This policy change applies specifically to non-resident individuals or families with financial sponsors in the state's emergency housing program.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the manufacture, sale, or operation of robotic devices equipped with weapons (like firearms or explosives), with penalties including prison terms of up to 15 years for repeat offenses. It also prohibits using robots to threaten, harass, or physically restrain people. Key exceptions include defense contractors working under U.S. Department of Defense contracts, law enforcement using robots for specific duties like defusing explosives (with warrant requirements), and educational purposes. The law requires law enforcement to publicly report robotic device usage quarterly and obtain warrants for surveillance or property entry, while allowing civil lawsuits for violations.

Maddy summarySD 285 prohibits individuals, businesses, and associations from publishing or making available on the internet the home address or unpublished home telephone number of certain public safety officials. It directly affects active, retired, or former judicial officers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and their immediate family members living in the same household. The law requires entities to remove such information within 10 business days of a valid request from an authorized person (like a court clerk or family member), with violations subject to civil penalties starting at $1,000 per violation. News media is exempt from liability for previously published content, and the law takes effect one year after enactment.