Rep. Michelle DuBois

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for releasing youth aged 12 to 18 from custody before their court appearances. It requires police to notify parents or guardians immediately upon arrest and allows bail magistrates to release older teens based on a written promise from their parents to ensure they appear in court. The legislation also sets a maximum bail fee of $40 for juveniles, prohibits charging fees for their release, and permits bail processes to be conducted virtually. Additionally, it allows bail fees to be paid through virtual or mobile payment options to increase accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate the needs of people living with Long COVID in Massachusetts, including medical, mental health, and socioeconomic impacts. The commission will be made up of representatives from various state agencies, medical organizations, and community groups, along with individuals who have Long COVID and community leaders. Appointed within 30 days, the group must hold public meetings and submit a report with recommendations and potential legislation by March 1, 2024. The commission will focus on ensuring its findings address equity across different racial, cultural, and regional populations before it dissolves or extends its work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers in Massachusetts to provide full-time firefighter employees with free cancer screenings every three years, starting at least three years after they begin working. The screenings must cover a specific list of cancers including lung, colon, and prostate cancer, and the employer's health plan must pay for all costs without requiring any co-pays or deductibles from the firefighters. The law applies to firefighters working for state agencies, cities, towns, and various military and port authority fire departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid and certain other insurance plans to cover doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, including those with limited immigration status. It defines doula services as non-medical support provided during pregnancy, labor, and up to one year after birth, covering activities such as continuous labor support, home visits, and connecting families to community resources. The legislation mandates that plans cover continuous labor support and at least six visits across the prenatal and postpartum period without needing prior approval. Additionally, the bill creates a Doula Advisory Committee to guide policy implementation, ensuring the committee includes diverse representatives such as practicing doulas, individuals with lived maternal health experiences, and people from communities with worse maternal outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to study ways to improve pollinator health by increasing native habitat in places like farms, forests, parks, and urban areas. The commission will include representatives from government agencies, universities, farmers, beekeepers, and environmental groups, with the secretary of energy and environmental affairs serving as chair. Over the next year, the group will review current laws, compare successful programs from other states, assess funding needs, and gather data on pollinator populations. By May 1, 2025, the commission must submit its findings and any recommended laws to the state legislature for further action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public housing authorities in Massachusetts to provide free broadband internet access to all residents as a condition for a dwelling to be considered decent, safe, and sanitary. It achieves this by amending state housing laws to mandate no-charge internet and explicitly excluding broadband from being classified as a utility for regulatory purposes. The legislation also directs the Department of Public Health to study the relationship between internet access and public health outcomes, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by lack of connectivity. To support this initiative, the bill authorizes the General Court to appropriate funds for subsidizing the implementation and maintenance of these internet services.

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3491) of Tackey Chan and others for legislation to increase the annuities paid to certain disabled veterans and their families. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts veterans currently serving in retirement systems to purchase back their service time if they missed the original deadline due to military service. It requires retirement boards to notify active members of this new eligibility within 90 days of the law taking effect. Affected veterans will have one additional year from the effective date to apply for this buyback, which they could not previously do if they failed to act within the standard 180-day window. The legislation amends existing state laws to create this specific exception for veterans and mandates that retirement systems inform eligible members about the opportunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to review Massachusetts laws regarding animal cruelty and protection. The group will include representatives from the attorney general's office, district attorneys, state police, agricultural resources, and animal welfare organizations, along with two members appointed by the governor. Within 12 months, the task force must submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations, which may include creating a new misdemeanor statute for animal cruelty. This initiative directly affects state agencies and animal welfare groups by mandating a systematic evaluation of current legal protections for animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to keep more young people out of the traditional juvenile court system by allowing them to receive community-based supervision and services instead. It achieves this by ensuring that children who need assistance are not automatically disqualified from diversion programs, even if they have previously been referred to court. The legislation also clarifies how assessments are conducted and what information can be shared, while specifying that certain serious crimes, such as those involving youthful offenders or long prison sentences, still exclude a child from diversion.