Feel Safe Again, Inc - Legislative Agenda

Feel Safe Again, Inc. supports the following bills and invites you to contact your legislators to ask them for their support. Please click on the title links to open the corresponding fact sheets.

MASSACHUSETTS

An Act to Prevent Harassment (SB 1002)
Lead Sponsors: Senator Pamela P. Resor (D-Middlesex and Worcester) and Representative Peter J. Koutoujian (D-Tenth Middlesex)
The act would establish a criminally enforceable Harassment Protection Order where by certain victims of rape and stalking (harassment) may obtain protection from further abuse through the issuance of a criminally enforceable civil order of protection, for victims who do not meet the relationship requirements of MGL c.209A.

An Act Relative to the Enhancement of Public Safety (SB 1413)
Lead Sponsors: Senator Pamela P. Resor (D-Middlesex and Worcester) and Representative Peter J. Koutoujian (D-Tenth Middlesex)
Amends the current state law to require that Superintendents of correctional institutions notify the state fire marshal, prior to the release or discharge, of any individual convicted of possession of an infernal machine (bomb) or a hoax device.

An Act Establishing a Campus Rape / Assault Prevention Advisory Council (SB 2460)
Lead Sponsor: Senator Pamela P. Resor (D-Middlesex and Worcester)
The act would direct the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to establish a campus rape and sexual assault prevention advisory council.

An Act To Establish Employment Leave And Safety Remedies To Victims Of Domestic Violence, Stalking And Sexual Assault (SB 1057)
Lead Sponsor: Senator Cynthia Creem (D-1st Norfolk and Middlesex)
This bill requires employers to allow employees who are victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault to take up to fifteen days of leave from work in any twelve month period, with or without pay, to address issues arising from the abuse. Circumstances which would require time off to be granted would be limited including; obtaining a court order of protection, seeking medical attention, meeting with law enforcement officials, and attending appointments for counseling, or legal assistance.

An Act Relative to Housing Discrimination against Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking (SB 755)
Lead Sponsor: Senator Cynthia Creem (D-1st Norfolk and Middlesex)
This bill adds victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to those protected against housing discrimination. In addition, the bill creates a vehicle for victims of these crimes to vacate their lease or rental agreements without penalty when their safety is at risk.

An Act to Protect and Enhance the Rights of Child and Adult Victims and Witnesses of Crime (SB 802)
Lead Sponsors: Senator Frederick E. Berry (D-2nd Essex), Representative Peter J. Koutoujian (D-10th Middlesex), Lewis G. Evangelidis (D-1st Worcester), Louis L. Kafka (D-8th Norfolk).
This legislation as an amendment to the MA Victim Bill of Rights, M.G.L. Chapter 258B, with the goal of clarifying, updating, and strengthening the existing law.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

An Act Relative to the Regulation of Private Investigators (SB 305)
Lead Sponsor: Senator Robert E. Clegg, Jr. (District 14)
This bill establishes the regulation of private investigators by the department of justice. No person shall engage in a business regulated by this chapter; act or assume to act as, or represent himself or herself to be, a licensee unless he or she is licensed under this chapter; and no person shall falsely represent that he or she is employed by a licensee.

An Act Prohibiting Internet Solicitation and Exploitation of Children (SB 495)
Lead Sponsors: Senator Joseph A. Foster (District 13), Senator Robert J. Letourneau (District 19), Senator Betsi DeVries (District 18), Representative David A. Welch (Rockingham 8), Representative William V. Knowles (Strafford 6)
This bill increases the penalties for possession of sexually explicit images of a child engaging in sexual activity. Establishes penalties for manufacture and distribution of sexually explicit images of a child engaging in sexual activity. Redefines “visual representation” of sexually explicit images. Increases the penalties for use of the Internet or other computer service to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child or a person believed to be a child to commit a sexual assault. Requires sexual offenders and offenders against children to report any online identifiers used.

An Act Relative to the Classification of Convicted Sex Offenders and Offenders Against Children (HB 1640)
Lead Sponsors: Representative Cynthia J. Dokmo (Hillsborough 6), Representative Gene P. Charron (Rockingham 7), Representative Stephen J. Shurtleff (Merrimack 10), Representative Lee M. Hammond (Grafton 11), Senator Sheila Roberge (District 9)
This bill creates a tier system for classification of sexual offenders and offenders against children and revises the type of information which must be collected, the duration of registration, the verification of sex offender registry information, public access to such information, and penalties for failure to register.

2005 Legislative Agenda
2006 Legislative Agenda
2007 Legislative Agenda