Report of the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds (pursuant to Section 2KKK(a) of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting its plan for expenditure from the Norfolk County Registers Technological Fund report
The committee on Environment and Natural Resources to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 587) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to protect pollinators and public health by prohibiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2746).
Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Chapter 88 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its monthly report on Temporary Respite Centers
Report of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (pursuant to line item 1599-6081 of Chapter 268 of the Acts of 2022) submitting its Clean Energy Fund report
Report of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (pursuant to Section 8(g) of Chapter 161B of the General Laws) submitting its audited financial statements and supplementary information for the year ended June 30, 2025
Report of the Department of Public Health (pursuant to 105 CMR 451.403) submitting the inspection report for Bridgewater State Hospital, the Plan of Correction (POC) from the facility and the POC acceptance letter from the Division of Environmental Health Regulations and Standards (EHRS)
Report of the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (pursuant to Section 23(2A)(e)(xi) of Chapter 32 of the General Laws) submitting its PRIM Quarterly report for period ending September 30, 2025
Report of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (pursuant to Chapter 88 of the Acts of 2024, Section 10 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2025, and Section 88 of Chapter 73 of the Acts of 2025) submitting its Emergency Housing Assistance Program bi-weekly report
Report of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (pursuant to line item 8100-1004 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab second quarter 2025 report
H 4329 establishes a new legal framework for medical decision-making when patients lack capacity to make their own choices. It creates Chapter 201G defining key terms and setting a priority order for surrogate decision makers (spouse, adult children, parents, siblings), requiring them to submit a written, sworn declaration. The bill specifies criteria for selecting among eligible candidates - such as relationship, familiarity with the patient’s values, and availability - and prohibits certain individuals (like treating physicians or facility staff) from serving as surrogates. Additionally, it amends existing law to allow healthcare agents’ authority to continue for up to six months after a patient’s death with prior written permission.
This bill (H 4337) requires most health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts to cover cervical cancer screenings - specifically Pap tests and HPV tests - with no out-of-pocket costs for patients. It directly affects women who receive these preventative screenings through employer-sponsored insurance, individual plans, or health maintenance organizations. The key provision mandates that all applicable policies must eliminate cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles) for these screenings. This applies to hospital service plans, health maintenance contracts, and group health funds delivered or renewed in Massachusetts. The bill focuses solely on ensuring coverage for preventative care, not treatment.
This bill amends multiple health insurance laws to expand access to midwifery services and clarify coverage for pregnancy care. It updates definitions in chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G to include "licensed certified professional midwives" alongside existing providers and removes language restricting coverage for "abortion or abortion-related care" in insurance plans. The changes require health insurers, health plans, and Medicaid managed care organizations to comply with these updated coverage standards. The bill directly affects health insurance plans subject to these chapters, ensuring broader access to midwifery services and removing prior exclusions for abortion-related care within pregnancy coverage.
