Rep. Mary Fortier

Maddy summaryHB 6774 requires long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, residential care homes, hospices, and assisted living agencies) to conduct background checks on employees, contractors, and volunteers with "direct access" to residents - meaning physical access that could enable abuse or neglect. The bill mandates checks against criminal history records and patient abuse registries before hiring or contracting, with results reported to the Department of Public Health. Facilities may accept background checks completed within the past three years if no disqualifying offenses were found, and the Department may temporarily suspend requirements during emergencies. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, updating existing background check standards for facility staff.

Maddy summaryHB 5978 creates a refundable tax credit for news organizations covering local communities in the state. It provides $15,000 per existing journalist employed by such an organization and $25,000 per new journalist hired in the state, with a maximum credit of $150,000 per organization. The credit directly benefits local news outlets struggling to maintain staff, particularly those expanding coverage through new hires. This policy change aims to support community journalism by reducing operational costs through direct financial assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 5986 establishes a refundable child tax credit of $600 per child (up to three children) against personal income tax. It directly affects low-to-moderate income families filing taxes, specifically those with federal adjusted gross income under $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families receive the full amount even if their tax liability is zero. This policy provides direct cash support to qualifying households with children, reducing their overall tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 6418 requires owners of local news organizations primarily serving communities in the state to provide 120 days' advance notice to both employees and community members before selling the organization to an entity not incorporated in the state. This bill directly affects owners of local news outlets (like community newspapers or radio stations) that serve specific towns or regions within the state. The key provision mandates this notice period for any sale to an out-of-state entity, aiming to give affected workers and residents time to respond. It does not restrict sales but requires transparency about the transaction.

Maddy summaryHB 6773 (effective October 1, 2025) allows trained nurse's aides and assisted living aides to administer medication in nursing homes and assisted living facilities under specific conditions. The bill permits registered nurses to delegate this task to these trained staff members, provided they’ve completed required training. Facilities must protect the nurses who delegate through indemnification for non-wanton negligence claims. This change directly affects nursing homes, assisted living agencies, and their trained aides by expanding medication administration responsibilities while maintaining oversight by licensed nurses.

Maddy summaryHB 6038 designates the first Wednesday in May of each year as "Local Journalism Appreciation Day" in state law. This symbolic measure aims to raise public awareness of the value of local journalism. The bill directly affects the public by establishing an annual day for recognizing local news media's role in communities. It does not create new funding, regulations, or policy changes - only formally names a recurring observance.

Maddy summaryHB 6037 requires all state agencies to spend at least 15% of their annual budget for print and digital advertising contracts with in-state commercial or nonprofit news publishers (those based in the state). This applies to all advertising contracts funded within available appropriations, except for ads primarily targeting out-of-state audiences or when the Commissioner of Administrative Services grants a waiver. The bill aims to direct state ad spending toward local media outlets by mandating a minimum procurement percentage. It does not alter existing state advertising practices beyond this specific requirement for in-state publisher contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 6076 establishes and funds 12 fellowship positions in local newsrooms for recent graduates of journalism programs at public institutions of higher education. The bill directly affects journalism graduates from public universities by providing paid entry-level opportunities in community news organizations. Key provisions require the state to allocate funding to create these fellowships, targeting graduates who completed their degrees at public colleges or universities. The program aims to support new journalists while strengthening local news coverage through structured employment pathways.

Maddy summaryHB 5107 establishes a temporary pause on approving new permits for burning medical waste in the state. This moratorium halts all new permit approvals while the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Health assess health and safety risks and develop new standards. It directly affects medical waste incineration facilities seeking new permits and aims to protect nearby residents' health during this review period. The bill does not change existing permits or operations but delays new approvals until updated safety protocols are created.

Maddy summaryHB 5108 establishes state standards for industrial low-frequency noise pollution and requires enforcement to protect residents. The bill amends state statutes to set specific noise level limits for industrial facilities and creates a process for monitoring and addressing violations. It directly affects industrial operations generating such noise (like factories or power plants) and nearby communities exposed to it. The goal is to reduce health risks linked to prolonged exposure to low-frequency noise, such as sleep disruption and stress.