Rep. Paul McMurtry

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retail pharmacies in Massachusetts to dispense specialty medications, which are typically used to treat serious conditions like cancer and cystic fibrosis, rather than forcing patients to rely solely on mail-order services. It achieves this by amending state law to permit local pharmacies to handle these drugs if they can meet specific administrative and monitoring requirements, aiming to reduce treatment delays and simplify the process for patients. The legislation also establishes a new registration category for specialty pharmacies to ensure safe distribution standards and closes a loophole where insurers incorrectly classify low-risk drugs as specialty medications to mandate mail-order use.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create guidelines for teaching neurodiversity in K-12 schools, with input from the Department of Early Education and Care. It also establishes a nine-member commission to study neurodiversity education across early childhood, elementary, and secondary levels. The commission includes representatives from government departments, the legislature, teachers, and neurodiverse adults, and must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders within four months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts insurance laws to allow individuals with dental insurance to direct their benefits payments directly to a dentist who has not contracted with their insurance plan. To use this option, a patient must provide written authorization on a claim form, and the insurance company must then pay the dentist an amount at least equal to what they pay participating providers. The law permits insurers to review the specific patient's records to verify that the dental service was actually performed before making the payment. This change applies to most standard dental plans but excludes coverage for limited benefit policies such as accident-only insurance or disability income plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require health insurers to pay ambulance service providers directly for emergency services rendered to insured individuals, even when the provider is not part of the insurer's existing network. The legislation mandates that insurers make these payments promptly once an insured person signs an assignment of benefits or is unable to do so due to their condition. By establishing a direct payment pathway, the bill aims to ensure that emergency medical transport providers receive compensation without relying on the insured to pay out-of-pocket first. This change applies to all types of insurance policies covering transportation services within the state, including those held by individuals and organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires towing and storage companies to inform both car owners and lienholders, such as banks, about specific costs when a vehicle is towed or stored. The law mandates that these facilities use official databases to identify all interested parties and send certified mail notifications within five business days detailing recovery, transportation, and storage fees. If the owner or lienholder does not respond or pay within the specified timeframes, the facility must notify them again before proceeding with a public sale of the vehicle. Additionally, the bill updates existing legal references to ensure these notification requirements are properly integrated into current statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the MassMade Program within the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to identify, connect, and support local businesses that produce consumer goods within the state. The program will create a publicly accessible resource for consumers to find locally made products while helping businesses identify obstacles and serving as a hub for regional economic organizations. Additionally, the legislation requires a report on encouraging local companies to bid on state projects and mandates a feasibility study for an online system to facilitate the exchange of procurement information related to Massachusetts-made goods.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to lower the approved costs threshold for the special education reimbursement program from $45,793 to $37,120. The change directly affects districts and entities that receive funding for special education services by adjusting the financial limit used to determine reimbursement eligibility. By updating this specific dollar amount in the General Laws, the legislation modifies the criteria for how costs are approved and reimbursed within the existing special education framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Medical Debt Protection Act to shield patients and their families from aggressive debt collection practices. It prohibits medical providers and collectors from using severe measures like arrests, property liens, or wage garnishments until at least 180 days after the first bill is sent. The law also stops creditors from reporting unpaid medical bills to credit agencies or selling debts while an insurance appeal is pending, and it caps interest rates on medical debt at a low percentage.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the state reimbursement rate for the special education circuit breaker from 75% to 90%. The special education circuit breaker is a tax relief program that helps families with high special education costs reduce their property taxes. By changing the reimbursement percentage in the state laws, the bill would allow the state to cover a larger share of the tax reduction for eligible households. This change directly affects families in Massachusetts who qualify for the program and the municipalities that administer the tax relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.