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.
Rep. Paul McMurtry
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis law establishes a mandatory educational diversion program in Massachusetts for minors charged with specific offenses related to possessing or sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. The Attorney General will lead the creation of this program in collaboration with various state agencies and community groups, focusing on informing youth about legal penalties, social consequences, and the risks of online image sharing. If a child is charged with these offenses, the court will typically pause legal proceedings to require the completion of this program instead of immediate prosecution, unless the district attorney objects. Successful completion of the program allows the case to be dismissed, while failure to participate results in the case being restored for standard legal processing. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of abuse to include "coercive control" and requires schools to teach media literacy skills using materials from the new diversion program.
By Representative Xiarhos of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2422) of Steven George Xiarhos and others relative to the security of exercise equipment and free weights in correctional institutions. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
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.
By Representative Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2922) of Edward R. Philips and others relative to deeds excise receipts. Revenue.
By Representatives Kushmerek of Fitchburg and Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2353) of Michael P. Kushmerek, Sean Garballey and others relative to the equality of wage and recruitment of the State Police. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows specific Massachusetts counties to keep a portion of the money collected from property deed transfer taxes. Under the new rules, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties will retain 20 percent of these receipts, while Barnstable County will keep 7.5 percent, starting July 1, 2023. The funds collected by these counties must be placed into their general funds and can be used to cover local operating costs or saved for future expenses. This change applies to all deed excise receipts generated on or after the specified start date.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops in Massachusetts. It achieves this by amending state laws to ban licensed pet shops from selling or offering these specific animals for adoption. The legislation directly affects businesses that operate as new pet shops and would prevent them from acting as sources for these pets. By restricting sales in this manner, the bill aims to reduce the number of animals sold in commercial settings.
Senate, 13, 2024 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 549) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Adam Scanlon, Jack Patrick Lewis, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 550) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Steven S. Howitt, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 826) of Natalie M. Higgins, Kimberly N. Ferguson and others for legislation to further regulate the retail sale of certain domestic animals in new pet shops, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2820).
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the state's disability pension laws to specifically address injuries sustained from violent attacks involving dangerous weapons. It creates a new category called "violent act injury," which covers life-threatening or permanent harm caused by items like firearms, knives, or vehicles while a public employee is working. Under the new rules, firefighters, police officers, and certain medical professionals who suffer such injuries and cannot perform their jobs permanently would be eligible for a pension equal to 100% of their previous salary. The legislation also establishes specific procedures, including a review by a medical panel, to verify the injury and the employee's inability to work before granting the benefit. Additionally, the bill outlines how these pensions would be paid to surviving spouses and children if the injured employee passes away.