SD 1840
An Act Relative to Ensuring the Safety of Children
Superintendents of school districts are required to run in-state CORI checks that reveal any unlawful act the applicant may have committed. There is currently a loophole in the system of teacher background checks that allows national crimes to go unchecked. Last summer, the effects of this loophole became apparent when it was discovered that a teacher, currently accused of sexually assaulting two students in Methuen, had a criminal history of sexual assault in New Hampshire.

This bill would require teachers to obtain a national background check through the National Crime Information Center 2000, which is used by the FBI, rather than through an unofficial background checker. A Teacher would not be granted a certificate or license to teach in any school in the Commonwealth unless the applicant submits this background check along with renewal or a new application to the Department of Education. Licenses or certificates to the applicant would be issued at the discretion of the Department of Education.

SD 1839
An Act to Protect Children from Repeat Sexual Predators
This bill seeks to eliminate the possibility of sealed settlements in civil suits being used to conceal the behavior of repeat sexual predators, while at the same time protecting the right to a confidential civil settlement of those wrongly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

This legislation would create a confidential database of civil settlements involving sexual abuse of a minor, which would be maintained by the Attorney General. If the database were to detect multiple settlements involving the same defendant, the Attorney General would be permitted to open and examine the sealed settlements. The Attorney General would then be able to pursue criminal charges if warranted and protect potential future victims from a being harmed by a sexual predator.

SD 1845
An Act Protecting Consumers from Unsolicited Loans
This bill would protect all citizens from the deceptions of unscrupulous lenders who send unsolicited "live" checks, which are often fraudulently cashed by another person or unwittingly cashed without full knowledge of the terms / rates of the loan. Senior citizens and other vulnerable consumers can be confused by the obligations associated with “Live Checks” because of unclear disclosures and their resemblance to common benefit checks. “Live Checks” are often sent to people indiscriminately.

SD 1836
An Act Relative to Driving Under the Influence
This bill eliminates the 15 day temporary licenses and leaves a 30 day due process period for refusals after the fact.

SD 1854
An Act Relative to Child Passenger Safety
This bill would require that children who have outgrown their child car seat utilize a booster seat through seven years of age or until they have reached a height of 4’9”.

SD 1846
An Act Increasing Penalties for Violating Speed Limits in School Zones