Rep. Bill Straus

March 28, 2024 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2689) of Michael J. Rodrigues and William M. Straus (by vote of the town) for legislation to amend the Cranberry Highway Smart Growth Overlay District, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2714).

Maddy summaryThis law authorizes the town of Fairhaven to issue one extra license for selling alcohol to be consumed on-site to a specific business called Southcoast Pickleball LLC. The new license allows the business to serve all types of alcoholic beverages in its dining room, while requiring it to return its existing license for wine and malt beverages to the town. The license cannot be transferred to a different location, but it can be renewed or given to a new owner at the same address if they have paid all required taxes and fees. The town must issue this new license within one year of the law taking effect, and the business must surrender its old license once the new one is active.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to clarify definitions of key terms like biosimilars, brand name drugs, and generic drugs, ensuring consistent language for pharmaceutical regulation. It expands the scope of entities subject to oversight by including self-insured health plans and explicitly defining pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and pharmacy benefit managers. The legislation also requires pharmaceutical companies to provide early notice of new products or price increases while protecting the confidentiality of their internal business and clinical data. Additionally, it adjusts the assessment fees charged to these industries, setting a minimum rate of 25 percent of the appropriated amount.

Senate, December 27, 2024 -- Report of the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the House amendment to the Senate relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency (Senate, No. 2520) (amended by the House all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of House document numbered 4910; and by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title: “An Act promoting access and affordability of prescription drugs.”),-- reports, a “Bill relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency” (Senate, No. 3012).

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board to grant creditable service to Kellie Martin, an employee of the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, for the period between August 28, 2003, and August 28, 2006. To receive this additional service credit for her retirement calculation, Ms. Martin must pay a lump sum or installments equal to the deductions that would have been taken from her salary during those years, plus applicable interest. The legislation specifically applies only to her individual retirement allowance and does not change any broader laws or affect other employees.

By Representatives Cabral of New Bedford and Hendricks of New Bedford, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Antonio F. D. Cabral, Christopher Hendricks and Mark C. Montigny for legislation to authorize the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System to grant credible service to Kellie Martin. Public Service.

By Representatives Cabral of New Bedford and Hendricks of New Bedford, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mark C. Montigny, Antonio F. D. Cabral and Christopher Hendricks that a pedestrian overpass spanning state Route 18 in the city of New Bedford be designated as the Andre Lopes Korean War veteran overpass. Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to the Massachusetts health care system to better support family members who serve as unpaid caregivers for relatives receiving home care services. The legislation aims to establish a formal recognition program that would allow these family caregivers to receive training, respite care services, and other resources to help manage the demands of their role. By creating a structured support framework, the bill seeks to improve the well-being of both the caregivers and the individuals they support without altering the core funding or eligibility rules for existing home care programs.

By Representative Straus of Mattapoisett and Senator Montigny, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4159) of William M. Straus and Mark C. Montigny (by vote of the town) relative to providing for an alternate member of the finance committee in the town of Mattapoisett. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Town of Mattapoisett to appoint two alternate members to its Conservation Commission for staggered terms of up to three years. These alternates can be called upon by the Commission Chair to fill in when regular members are absent, unable to serve, or have a conflict of interest, and they can also serve temporarily until a vacancy is officially filled. The law specifically applies to the town of Mattapoisett and modifies existing state rules to enable this local flexibility.