A committee of Senators has been working to develop legislation in response to the current wave of opioid drug use. Perhaps the most innovative and possibly controversial concept in the legislation is to verbally screen middle-school and high school students for substance abuse. Your thoughts on this proposed program or any aspect of the legislation would be very welcome.
Justice
animal welfare, civil law and procedure, criminal law, disability, drug policy, family law, freedom of speech, guardianship, gun violence, housing law, immigration, indigenous agenda, lgbtq rights, policing, privacy, sexual child abuse, terrorism, women's rights
A Step in the Right Direction
This week the Senate took an important step towards making it easier for people who have gotten in trouble to get out of trouble and get back to work. We voted unanimously to repeal provisions of state law that automatically suspend the driver’s licenses of people convicted of drug offenses and require them to pay reinstatement fees of $500 or more.
Senate Passes Motor Vehicle License Suspension Bill
We share this press release on the passage of Senate Bill 2014 which repeals existing law relative to the automatic suspension of drivers licenses for individuals convicted of a non-violent drug offense. This is one such criminal justice reform measure that Senator Brownsberger supports to help remove barriers for people trying to get back up on their feet.
Media coverage of the marijuana ballot questions in MA
Senator Brownsberger supports the move to legalize marijuana and the efforts to put this question on the ballot in 2016. On September 22 he appeared on Broadside and Greater Boston on this issue, as well as being included in various press coverage, all of which can viewed and read here.
Senate Passes Bill to Protect Homeowners
We share this press release regarding action taken today on S.1981, An Act clearing titles to foreclosed properties. Senator Brownsberger supported passage of this bill in the Senate and said, “I am convinced that it is only right to give third party buyers of foreclosed properties some repose. I also believe it is good for the housing market to define a process that will remove uncertainty. Offending banks will remain fully liable to the extent they have done harm through unfair or deceptive practices.”
Cleaning up the Foreclosure Mess
The first major piece of legislation that the Senate will take up this Fall is “An Act clearing titles to foreclosed properties.” The bill in essence states that allegations of defects in foreclosure procedures must be raised within three years. It came through the Judiciary Committee which I chair, and it’s a solid bill that I fully support. Here is some background on this complex issue; please let me hear your questions!