Rep. Jeff Roy

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill allows fuel oil and propane vendors to send delivery receipts electronically to customers who buy in bulk. Under the new rules, these sellers can offer buyers the choice to receive required delivery information via email or other digital methods instead of, or alongside, paper tickets. To use this option, the vendor must get written consent from the customer before switching to electronic delivery. The change applies specifically to existing laws governing bulk fuel sales and does not affect other types of transactions.

By Representative Cahill of Lynn and Senator Lovely, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Daniel Cahill and Joan B. Lovely for legislation to further regulate insurance claims. Financial Services.

By Representative Garlick of Needham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2330) of Denise C. Garlick and others relative to providing protections for health care employees who are victims of violence or assault and battery. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how health insurers and medical providers recover costs when an injured person receives money from a third party for their injuries. It requires that legal fees and costs be shared between the provider and the injured person based on the proportion of the total recovery each receives. Additionally, the law limits the amount insurers can claim back to their specific share of the total damages, rather than allowing them to take more than their proportionate part of the settlement. If the total recovery is less than the injured person's total damages, courts may reduce the insurer's claim after reviewing the case. The legislation also gives courts the authority to decide a fair split of settlement funds if the injured person and the insurer cannot agree on the amounts.

By Representative Roy of Franklin, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Jeffrey N. Roy relative to certain school transportation vehicles. Transportation.

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options (House, No. 4785), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4999).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a primary seat belt law in Massachusetts, making it a traffic violation to operate a vehicle or ride as a passenger without wearing a safety belt. Drivers face a $50 fine for not wearing a belt themselves, while those with passengers aged 12 to under 16 must also pay an additional $50 for each unbelted child. The law explicitly prohibits insurance surcharges for these violations and forbids police from searching a vehicle solely based on a seat belt infraction. Revenue generated from these tickets will be directed to a trust fund for head injury treatment services, and the law will become effective 180 days after enactment.

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 nine appointed members, including experienced midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the state's allied health professions board to include lactation consultants and updates various laws to formally recognize certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives in official definitions and hospital settings. The bill also mandates that the insurance commission cover postpartum depression screenings for state employees and allows coverage for medically necessary donor human milk for infants at high risk of certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands compensation for individuals in Massachusetts who were wrongfully convicted by updating the state's wrongful conviction relief laws. It lowers the legal standard for proving innocence from "clear and convincing evidence" to a "preponderance of the evidence," making it easier for claimants to qualify. The legislation also broadens eligibility to include those whose convictions were vacated without a retrial and mandates that cases be processed on a fast track. Additionally, the bill requires the state to provide social service advocates to help eligible individuals with transitional needs and allows courts to order the state to cover educational costs and provide support services like financial literacy training.

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill to ensure legal parentage equality (House, No. 4750), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4970).