This bill appropriates $1 million in state funds to cover technology, records management, and personnel costs for the governor's office, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and joint legislative operations. It amends state law to allow the state auditor to review specific administrative functions of the legislature, such as official budgets, audits, and financial settlements, while explicitly excluding legislative deliberations and other constitutional duties from such reviews. The legislation defines these administrative functions and audit procedures to ensure transparency in how legislative branches manage their finances and operations.
By Representative Meschino of Hull and Senator O'Connor, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joan Meschino (by vote of the town) that the town of Hingham be authorized to grant certain parcels of land in said town to the Commonwealth for highway purposes. Transportation. [Local Approval Received.]
This bill allows municipal school districts to exempt incoming elementary school choice students from participating in tuition agreements that are currently required for middle and high school education. Specifically, it permits these districts to operate under a tuition agreement for older students while waiving that requirement for younger students entering the system. The change directly affects local school districts that provide education through tuition agreements and families seeking school choice options at the elementary level. By modifying existing state law, the legislation creates a distinction between how tuition agreements apply to different grade levels within the same district.
Senate, June 18, 2016 -- Text of the Senate Bill relative to primary care for you (Senate, No. 3141) (being the text of Senate, No. 3116, printed as amended)
By Representative Sena of Acton and Senator Eldridge, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5533) of Danillo A. Sena (by vote of the town) that the town of Boxborough be authorized to prohibit the use or sale of second-generation anti-coagulant rodenticides in said town. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]
By Representative Scarsdale of Pepperell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5532) of Margaret R. Scarsdale (by vote of the town) that the town of Groton be authorized to prohibit the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in said town. Environment and Natural Resources. [Local Approval Received.]
H 4894 defines specific mental health treatment services - including acute inpatient care, crisis stabilization, and community-based options for children and adults - and eliminates preauthorization requirements for coverage. It directly affects Commonwealth employees (active and retired) under Group Insurance Commission plans and Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill mandates that facilities notify insurers within 48 hours of admission for all services, with utilization review permitted to begin after 7-10 days, while requiring medical necessity to be determined by the treating clinician and documented in the patient’s record. This streamlines access to critical mental health care by reducing administrative barriers for defined services.
H 4893 requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover at least six sessions of preventive behavioral health services for individuals under 21 who have a positive screening for depression, anxiety, or other emotional concerns (or for infants whose caregivers screen positive for postpartum depression), without cost-sharing or prior authorization. This applies to group insurance plans for state employees, private insurance policies, and health plans governed by state law, covering individual, family, or group sessions delivered in pediatric primary care, community, or school settings. Insurers must accept alternative diagnosis codes (like Social Determinants of Health Z-codes) for billing these services. The bill directly affects children, adolescents, and infants with early behavioral health screenings by mandating accessible, no-cost preventive care to help prevent more severe conditions.
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2905) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Julian Cyr for legislation to provide for mobile driver’s licenses in the commonwealth. Transportation.
This bill requires public employers (such as state, city, or fire district departments) to provide full-time firefighters with free cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin working as firefighters. It covers screenings for 11 specific cancers including colon, lung, bladder, and prostate, with all costs paid by the employer's health plan - no co-pays or deductibles required. The mandate applies to firefighters in municipal departments, the Massachusetts Military Reservation, the 104th Fighter Wing, and Devens fire departments. The only exception is if the employer's health plan is federally tax-exempt and would lose that status without cost-sharing, though this is uncommon.
By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2111) of Nick Collins for legislation to authorize the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to convey an easement across certain property in the Dorchester section of the city of Boston to the Boston Gas Company. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
By Representative Kerans of Danvers, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2463) of Sally P. Kerans relative to ensuring the fair and appropriate distribution of vaccines during a public health emergency. Public Health.
