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.
Rep. Billy MacGregor
Sponsored bills
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).
By Representatives Sabadosa of Northampton and Owens of Watertown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 386) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Steven Owens and others relative to consumer health data. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
By Representatives Nguyen of Andover and Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1925) of Tram T. Nguyen, Daniel M. Donahue and others relative to the minimum wage. Labor and Workforce Development.
By Representative Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1868) of Daniel M. Donahue and others for legislation to prevent wage theft, promote employer accountability, and enhance public enforcement. Labor and Workforce Development.
By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 357) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian and others relative to banning the sale of cell phone location information. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that all children have equal legal rights and protections regarding parentage, regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or the method of conception. It achieves this by replacing gender-specific terms like "paternity" and "mother" with the gender-neutral term "parentage" and removing distinctions based on whether parents are married. The legislation also expands legal definitions to explicitly include children born through assisted reproduction and surrogacy, ensuring that intended parents and surrogates are clearly recognized under the law. By amending existing statutes, the bill aims to create a consistent legal framework that treats all parent-child relationships equally without regard to how the child was born.
May 2, 2024 -- The committee on The Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1142) of John C. Velis, Patrick M. O'Connor, Jack Patrick Lewis, Steven George Xiarhos and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the humane protection of animals; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1718) of Edward R. Philips, Jessica Ann Giannino and others for legislation relative to the humane protection of animals and establishing a task force to complete a systematic review of the laws pertaining to animal cruelty and protection, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2757).
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover specific breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests, such as digital breast tomosynthesis and breast MRI, on the same terms as standard mammograms. It directly affects employees of the state, Medicaid beneficiaries, and individuals with private insurance policies by mandating equal coverage and prohibiting higher out-of-pocket costs for these advanced tests. The legislation also creates an exception for high-deductible health plans to maintain their tax-advantaged status, provided they still cover preventive care as defined by federal guidelines. By amending state laws governing the Group Insurance Commission, Medicaid, and private insurance, the bill aims to expand access to early detection tools for breast cancer.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Ollie's Law, aims to improve safety standards for commercial kennels and dog daycares by establishing a dedicated fund to support efforts in reducing homeless animal populations. It requires kennel owners to obtain a license before operating and mandates that these facilities pass an inspection by an animal control officer before the license is issued or renewed. The legislation also empowers local officials to inspect kennels at least once a year and creates a process for citizens to petition for hearings if they believe a kennel is causing a nuisance through excessive barking or other conditions. Additionally, the bill directs the state to create detailed regulations covering facility requirements, staff training, and safety protocols for businesses that board or train dogs.