An Act relative to criminal justice training regarding autistic persons

Summary

This bill would require the Municipal Police Training Committee to develop and implement a curriculum for training police officers in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum, and develop guidelines for law enforcement response to such individuals. The course would include proper techniques for interviews, locating persons on the spectrum, identifying abusive situations, de-escalation with autistic individuals, and more. The bill would require the training for new recruits and allow the MPTC to include it periodically for in-service training.

An Act establishing a cybersecurity control and review commission

Summary

This bill would establish a standing body to advise the Commonwealth on issues related to cybersecurity. The Commission would be composed of general cybersecurity experts, specific issue experts, and legislative officials. It would be chaired by the Secretary of Technology Safety and Security or his designee. The would be tasked with recommending cybersecurity standards for state and local agencies that collect sensitive information, as well as private businesses contracting with the Commonwealth. They would also establish a voluntary cybersecurity accreditation for private businesses in the commonwealth to encourage good practices by both businesses and consumers.

An Act improving the quality of courthouse security

Summary

This bill would permit court officers to carry firearms, pursuant to their police powers, within the courthouse. As part of the ongoing professionalization of court officers, security officials for the Trial Court plan to authorize a portion of the force to carry firearms on duty. In order to be eligible for to carry, the court officer must first obtain an LTC through the existing process under Chapter 140/s131.  They must also complete a firearm training course approved by the Chief justice of the Trial Court, Supreme Judicial Court, or the Appeals Court.

An Act establishing local emergency management agencies

Summary

This bill would allow municipalities to establish a 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 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 providing mental wellness training for police officers

Summary

This legislation requires the Municipal Police Training Commission to develop and implement a course for training the Commonwealth’s law enforcement officers on mental wellness and suicide prevention. The course shall be 2 hours of instruction, and incorporated into both the recruit basic training curriculum and the in-service training curriculum. The bill requires all officers certified by the MPTC to attend and complete the course annually. The bill also requires every State Police Trooper to complete a course that meets the standards established by the legislation.

An Act Relative to public safety on private college and university campuses

Summary

This legislation would allow for police officers employed by private colleges in universities to be eligible to obtain a Massachusetts Police Identification Card, which is currently used as a basic ID across law enforcement departments. This is especially important for a number of urban campus departments who regularly assist municipal departments for large scale events, including the Boston Marathon or various parades.  It would also allow such officers to carry a taser if (1) they hold a valid LTC authorized by their local authority, (2) are authorized to carry firearms as part of their duties and (3) the use of tasers is approved by the chief of their department.

An Act authorizing electronic signatures on search warrant applications

Summary

After drafting an affidavit to support to request a search warrant, a physical copy of the necessary documents must be transported to the home of an on call clerk magistrate or judge. Current statute requires a handwritten signature for search warrants, often causing logistical delays in the midst of time sensitive investigations. This bill would eliminate the requirement of a ‘wet’ signature and authorize electronic signatures when necessary. Electronic signatures for search warrants have been enacted in many states, including California, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota, Arizona and Louisiana.

An Act relative to line of duty benefits for police officers employed by private colleges and universities

Summary

This legislation would line of duty death benefits to sworn officers of private universities or colleges who meet the statutory requirements for a special state police officer. Special laws have been passed to extend these benefits to such officers in individual circumstances, and this bill mirrors that language.

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 providing for an equitable Massachusetts teachers’ retirement system pension for Paul C. Norberg

Summary

This “by request” bill works to provide for an equitable rate of annuity, under the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System, for Paul C. Nordberg. Mr. Nordberg is a resident of Auburn, Massachusetts, a teacher working at the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, and a member of the MTRS. According to this bill, Mr. Norberg would be entitled to either of the following options: (1) In the event that, at the time of his retirement from teaching with any school system that is a member of the MTRS, Mr. Nordberg’s then age and then years of membership and contribution to the MTRS add to at least eighty-five (85), Mr. Nordberg shall be entitled to a pension in the amount of seventy percent (70%) of the average of his three (3) highest paid years while working as a teacher contributing to the MRTS; or (2) In the event that, at the time of his retirement from teaching with any school system that is a member of the MTRS, Mr. Nordberg’s then age and then years of membership and contribution to the MTRS add to at least eighty-five (90), Mr. Nordberg shall be entitled to a pension in the amount of eighty percent (80%) of the average of his three (3) highest paid years while working as a teacher contributing to the MRTS.

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 pain management treatment for certain chronic pain patients

Summary

This legislation aligns Massachusetts with CDC guidelines on including drug testing as a condition of the pain management treatment for patients getting an opioid prescription for chronic pain.  This is another tool for doctors to use when treating a patient – Quest data shows 1 out of every 2 patients misuse their prescription. 

An Act expanding access to patient centered care of opioid use disorder

Summary

This legislation directs the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, to develop a healthcare provider education campaign that encourages the adoption of all FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder. The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of providers offering all FDA-approved medications, directly or by referral, along with counseling and other appropriate support services.