This legislation would give Superior Court judges the same discretion to order conditions of release that District Court judges have. Under current law, Superior Court judges can only order such conditions in a domestic violence case. This legislation would also give Superior Court judges the authority to enforce any set conditions of release.
Resolve establishing a special commission to study technology to monitor and protect individuals in law enforcement custody
This legislation creates a commission to study technology that would protect individuals in custody by identifying potentially harmful behavior and alerting public safety officers. The technology may identify danger from positional asphyxia, overdoses, and other dangerous situations that take place in custody.
An Act relative to novelty sparklers
This legislation legalizes the sale and use of ground based sparkling devices and novelties, while maintaining the restrictions on explosive and aerial fireworks.
An Act relative to oversight of the sex offender registry board
This legislation:
Mandates that Sex Offender Registry Board and the State Police establish a memorandum of understanding to identify and locate offenders who failed to comply or could not be notified
Expands reporting requirements when an offender is released to include the state police and departments where the offender previously lived and worked
Requires the state police to file an arrest warrant for any offender who violates the reporting requirements
Creates a new category, to be known as ‘Level Zero’ that will be used to identify offenders who are appealing their classification.
An Act to enhance courthouse security
This legislation seeks to amend the General Laws to formally bar members of the public from bringing firearms into state courthouses. While this common-sense policy is in place statewide as a security provision, courthouses are not included in the many places where firearms are formally barred by statute.
An Act relative to the timely and consistent payment of law enforcement personnel
This legislation ensures that awarding authorities are responsible for the payment of police details and the associated recordkeeping. This proposal would guarantee payment for law enforcement personnel, improve bid pricing, and allow for greater cost control and prevent certain project delays.
An Act establishing local emergency management agencies
This bill allows municipalities to establish Local Emergency Management Agencies. These agencies would be organized and run by a director, who would report directly to the municipality’s appointing authority (Mayor or City manager for a city, or the Town Manager or Town Administrator in towns). The agency would have the authority to utilize and coordinate the services, equipment, supplies, and facilities of the town in response. This legislation would only take effect in the case of a declaration of a state of emergency by the appointing authority and would be superseded by any declaration made by the Governor.
An Act relative to sheriffs
This legislation includes recommendations approved by the Sheriff’s Commission (final report filed as S.1865 during the 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
Updates the civil process operations.
An Act updating hunter harassment laws
This legislation updates the hunter harassment law by:
Adding prohibitions against verbally or physically harassing, threatening, or intimidating individual’s lawfully engaged in fishing and hunting
Banning the use of mechanical aerial devices to drive wildlife, harass, film, photograph or otherwise intimidate
The bill also adds penalties and/or fines for violations of this law.