By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 734) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to ensure access to medications. Financial Services.
This bill (SD 761) requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to maintain fair and accessible pharmacy networks for patients, directly affecting PBMs, health insurers, and community pharmacies. It prohibits "steering" (directing prescriptions to owned/affiliated pharmacies) and mandates that PBMs provide networks with convenient access to physical pharmacies near patients' homes, excluding mail-order options from adequacy calculations. Violating these rules triggers a 10% surcharge on the PBM's prior year's pharmacy reimbursements, payable to the state division. The law aims to prevent anti-competitive practices that limit patient choice and access to local pharmacies.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 831) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to ensure access to prescription medication and community pharmacies. Financial Services.
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1534) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to protect the independence of clinical decision making. Public Health.
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1232) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to study the delivery of medical care to persons held in custody. The Judiciary.
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1390) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2665) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jason M. Lewis, James B. Eldridge, Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to require employers to notify current employees of an I-9 employment eligibility verification form, or other employment records, within 72 hours of receiving the notice from a government agency. Labor and Workforce Development.
This bill strengthens data privacy for Massachusetts state systems by clarifying which activities qualify as "criminal justice duties" and restricting data sharing. It prohibits state agencies from sharing motor vehicle records with federal agencies for civil immigration enforcement, except when a valid warrant is presented. The bill also blocks access to criminal offender records for non-criminal justice purposes, like civil enforcement, and requires federal agencies to certify their use of such data solely for criminal justice. These provisions directly affect state agencies managing data (like the motor vehicle registry) and federal entities seeking access to state databases.
S 1122 prohibits Massachusetts state and local law enforcement agencies from entering new agreements with federal immigration authorities regarding detention. It requires existing collaboration agreements to end, limiting state involvement in federal immigration enforcement. This directly affects police departments, sheriffs' offices, and detention facilities that previously shared information or resources with federal immigration enforcement. The bill changes Massachusetts' approach to immigration enforcement cooperation under the framework of state sovereignty.
S 1127 creates a state-funded Immigrant Legal Defense Fund to provide free legal representation for immigrants facing deportation in Massachusetts courts. It directly affects low-income immigrants who cannot afford attorneys during immigration proceedings. The bill establishes the fund through the Judiciary Committee, allocating state resources to cover legal services for eligible individuals. This replaces the current reliance on limited pro bono services with a dedicated, accessible resource. The policy change ensures equitable access to legal counsel in immigration cases, a key factor in fair judicial outcomes.
By Representative Consalvo of Boston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Rob Consalvo that the Department of Conservation and Recreation be authorized to designate the tennis courts located in Weider Park in the Roslindale section of the city of Boston as the Kim O’Connell tennis courts. Environment and Natural Resources.
HD 3131 requires Massachusetts healthcare providers participating in state vaccine programs to be able to choose any FDA-licensed and CDC-recommended vaccine brand or type for patients, removing previous state-imposed restrictions on vaccine supply. The bill establishes a Vaccine Program Advisory Council to advise on annual funding needs and creates a surcharge on health insurance companies to fund the Vaccine Purchase Trust Fund, with limits on surcharge increases. It mandates full implementation of this provider choice requirement by July 1, 2025, except during vaccine shortages, public health emergencies, or disasters. This directly affects healthcare providers, insurers, and the state's vaccine procurement system under programs like MassHealth and the Vaccines for Children Program.
