Rep. Carlos González

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Springfield to continue employing police officer Lawrence E. Akers. It directly affects the city government and Officer Akers by allowing his ongoing position without requiring a new hiring process. The key mechanism is the city's formal request (via the mayor and city council) to the state legislature for approval, as required for local employment decisions under this specific procedure. The bill is procedural and does not change broader police hiring policies.

By Representatives Decker of Cambridge and Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2762) of Marjorie C. Decker, Andres X. Vargas and others relative to the earned income tax credit. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee and regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including licensed midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of who can prescribe medication to include licensed midwives and establishes a program for postpartum depression screenings for state employees. It also updates various state laws to formally recognize and define the roles of certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives across different departments.

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2908) of James J. O'Day and others relative to excluding certain income from the calculation of the tax on incomes in excess of one million dollars. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts tax law to close loopholes that allow corporations to avoid taxes by shifting profits offshore. It requires companies that form combined groups for tax purposes to calculate their state tax liability based on the income and business activities of all group members, regardless of where those members are located. The change ensures that every entity within a corporate group contributes its fair share of taxes to the state, preventing them from using complex structures to reduce their tax burden. This policy directly affects large corporations operating in Massachusetts that currently utilize combined group reporting methods to minimize state tax payments.

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2814) of Carlos González and others for legislation to create a commission (including members of the General Court) to review and approve claims for a smart gun technology tax incentive program. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee to review and report on a specific list of legislative documents. By suspending standard rules, it grants the committee additional time until June 10, 2024, to complete its analysis of these items. The measure directly affects the committee's schedule but does not alter any laws or policies. Its primary function is procedural, ensuring the committee has sufficient time to fulfill its reporting duties.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill establishes a three-year pilot program to study how fentanyl testing strips impact public health and safety among people who use opioids and other drugs. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services would run a competitive grant process to fund organizations that help individuals test their substances for fentanyl before use and create rapid response systems to prevent overdoses. As part of the program, the state would publish an annual list of laboratories offering quality test strips and allow participants to access addiction treatment services while using the strips. The bill also requires the office to create rules for testing procedures and mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing grant recipients, participant numbers, and health outcomes over a two-year follow-up period.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to allow first responders, such as police and firefighters, to provide naloxone and instructions for its use to anyone at risk of an opioid overdose based on their professional judgment. It also grants legal protection to individuals who, in good faith, use testing equipment like fentanyl strips to check the purity of drugs, shielding them from charges related to possession or paraphernalia. Additionally, the legislation mandates that standard first aid training include specific instruction on how to administer naloxone to address opioid emergencies.