An Act relative to oversight of sexual offender registry board

Summary

This legislation (1) mandates that Sex Offender Registry Board and the State Police establish MOU to identify and locate offenders who failed to comply or could not be notified; (2) expands reporting requirements when an offender is released to include the state police and departments where the offender previously lived and worked; (3) requires the state police to file an arrest warrant for any offender who violates the reporting requirements; and (4) creates a new category, to be known as ‘Level Zero’ that will be used to identify offenders who are appealing their classification.

An Act relative to improving outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest

Summary

This bill would make changes to the existing Emergency 911 system to improve outcomes for individuals suffering sudden cardiac arrest (SAC). The Commonwealth’s E911 system responds to about 10 victims a day, but the survival rate is nearly ten times lower than other parts of the country. These improvements are largely due to the expansion of Dispatcher Assisted CPR, during which a 911 dispatcher walks a responsible bystander over the phone. The legislation would require that all dispatchers that provide dispatch for emergency medical conditions be trained in telephone-CPR. The bill would also add a physician with a specialty in emergency medicine and a regional EMS expert to the State 911 Commission. It would also add Sudden Cardiac Arrest to the list of reportable diseases, allowing the Commonwealth to collect improved data on these incidents.

An Act relative to the retirment of MassPort police officers

Summary

MassPort police officers provide high level public safety services for the Commonwealth on essential properties that are controlled by the agency. These officers share jurisdiction with the Massachusetts State Police in essential public areas like Logan Airport and the Seaport. Despite their duties and qualifications matching any police department in the state, they have been incorrectly relegated to group 2 for the purposes of the retirement system.  This bill would bring them into group 4, which is reflective of their work.  

An Act Relative to the Alignment of the University of Massachusetts Police

Summary

This bill would align the University of Massachusetts Police with other law enforcement officers in group 4 of retirement system. As outlined by the Retirement Board and reinforced by DALA, the University of Massachusetts police clearly fall under the definition of law enforcement in Group 4. However, a specific statutory designation in group 2 prevents their inclusion. They were originally added to Group 2 in 1940, when they were building security officers. Since then, the department has been fully professionalized, and is certified by the MPTC like any municipal department. However, due to the lack of comparable benefits, the University has significant trouble retaining qualified officers who leave for Group 4 positions.

An Act relative to equitable firearm license fees

Summary

This bill reduces the cost of applications for a firearm identification card or license to carry from $100 to $40. It offers a more appropriate cost for the application of firearm license and identification cards. The existing fee imposes an excessive burden on citizens who wish to exercise their rights to own, carry and operate firearms. Reducing this cost will allow for greater access and expanded participation in the constitutional rights of Massachusetts’ citizens. The bill also allocates the fee, which will be split evenly between the licensing authority and the General Fund. 

An Act relative to the health and welfare of the University of Massachusetts police

Summary

This bill would bring University of Massachusetts police in line with standard benefits for injuries on duty. Currently, with no statutory assurances, each the benefits are subject to individual approval by police supervisors. These officers undergo the same training undertake the same dangers as municipal officers and should be compensated as such.

An Act An act to protect persons with intellectual or developmental disability from abuse

Summary

This legislation requires the Department of Developmental Services to establish and maintain a registry of former employees who have been terminated or separated from employment as a result of abuse, as defined under chapter 19C of the General Laws. DDS shall make information in the registry available only to: (1) authorized agencies, for the purpose of protective service determinations; (2) employers who employ employees to provide services to an individual who receives services or funding from the department of developmental services for the purpose of determining whether an applicant for employment appears on the registry. DDS shall not place a former employee's name on the registry until the Department has completed the hearing and the hearing has resulted in a decision to place the former employee's name on the registry staff.

An Act relative to the safety of courthouses and remote court proceedings

Summary

This bill is a technical change to ensure clarity regarding the police powers of court officers. These officers are tasked with maintaining order and safety under volatile circumstances. The current statute authorizes their police powers “in or about the areas of the court to which they have been assigned.” Despite the obvious intent of the language, there have been challenges to their authority in certain areas on the grounds of the courthouse, including the front steps and parking lots. This language would clarify that all grounds adjacent to the court and the parking lots. It would also extend the powers to locations where a court proceeding is occurring outside the courthouse, such as the examination of a evidence at an off-site location. In many cases, these officers are responsible for the security of judges, attorneys, and juries.

An Act relative to sheriffs

Summary

This legislation includes recommendations approved by the Sheriff’s Commission (final report filed as S.1865 during 2013-2014 legislative session). This bill exempts the Sheriffs from the prohibition on providing meals to employees by allowing collective bargaining on this issue; establishes a Corrections Advisory Board with the aim of improving coordination across the criminal justice system and establishing best practices in all aspects of corrections operations; provides for an HRD assessment of current Sheriffs’ Office’s human resources policies and practices; places deputy sheriffs in Group 4 and provides injured in the line of duty benefits; and updates the civil process operations.

An Act Relative to the Interception of Wire and Oral Communications

Summary

This legislation strikes from the wiretap law the current limitation which precludes a court from issuing a wiretap warrant unless the offense under investigation is being committed "in connection with organized crime."  A Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court recently recognized that "[b]y limiting electronic surveillance to designated offenses 'in connection with organized crime,' § 99 prohibits electronic surveillance from being used to investigate designated offenses, including murder, that are committed by disorganized criminal gangs or even by organized street gangs that do not engage in supplying illegal goods and services, such as narcotics.  The consequence is that electronic surveillance is lost as a tool to investigate and prosecute a substantial share of the murders and shootings that occur in this Commonwealth."  Commonwealth v. Tavares, 459 Mass. 289, 303-04 (2011) (Gants, J., concurring).

An Act relative to the use of unmanned aerial systems

Summary

Advancements in technology have made drones cheaper and more convenient, which has significantly expanded the use and intended purpose of these systems. This legislation bans the use of weaponized drones, ensures that drones are not used for warrantless surveillance. The bill includes sensible limits on government drone use, including: execution of a warrant; in emergencies when there is a threat to human life or safety; for non-law enforcement purposes if the information will not be used as evidence in criminal proceedings. The bill also protects critical infrastructure and also makes it illegal for UAV to be used for the purpose of hunting.