Rep. Rita Mendes

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information Analysis, to conduct a comprehensive study on access to essential health services. The study will analyze current hospital capacity, the impact of recent service discontinuations and closures since 1992, and projected regional needs over the next decade. It will also investigate financial factors that threaten service availability, review successful strategies from other states, and propose policy changes to ensure continued access to care across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Massachusetts cities and towns to vote on whether to cap how much property taxes can increase each year. If approved by voters, the cap would be set at the lower of 3% or the annual change in the Consumer Price Index, with a higher 10% limit allowed for non-residential properties. The law would not apply to tax increases caused by property improvements or when a home is sold, and residents must notify local officials within 30 days if they stop living in their principal residence.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts General Law Chapter 152 to require employers to report specific severe workplace incidents within 24 hours. The law mandates immediate notification to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for injuries involving in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. If an employer fails to meet this reporting deadline, they face a fine of $100 per day, with the total amount paid directly to the affected employee. Employers must also maintain written records of these reports and payments for two years and follow OSHA guidelines regarding where to submit the information.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the construction supervisor who signs a building permit as the "controlling contractor," making them personally responsible for ensuring overall safety at the job site. Under this new rule, the controlling contractor must guarantee that all work follows local, state, federal laws, and industry safety standards. Additionally, the bill imposes personal liability on anyone performing construction work without a required permit for any injuries or damages that occur at the site, though it exempts residential homeowners from this penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals who are not U.S. citizens to apply for professional licenses in Massachusetts without providing a Social Security number. It achieves this by permitting applicants to submit an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or other identity verification documents instead. The law specifically applies to licensing boards overseen by the Division of Occupational Licensure and the Department of Public Health. This change aims to remove a barrier for non-citizens seeking to work in regulated professions while maintaining identity verification standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires home healthcare employers in Massachusetts to provide annual safety training and conduct risk assessments before visits to protect workers from violence. It mandates that agencies assess potential dangers at a patient's home, such as history of violent behavior or the presence of weapons, and equip workers with communication devices and alarms for emergencies. The law also allows workers to refuse service if they believe there is an imminent threat without fear of losing pay or facing discipline. Additionally, employers must create a crisis response team to support staff who have been assaulted or threatened.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts tax laws to ensure that money raised from the 2022 Fair Share Amendment is not counted as general state revenue. Specifically, it prevents the state from using funds generated by this constitutional amendment to offset or reduce the personal income tax liability of individual taxpayers. By legally separating these specific tax revenues from the broader definition of state income, the legislation aims to preserve the original intent of the amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts estate tax laws to exempt estates with a net value below two million dollars from taxation for deaths occurring after December 31, 2022. It directly affects individuals who pass away in the future with estates under this threshold, ensuring their assets are not subject to state estate tax. The key provision adds a specific exemption to the existing statute, effectively raising the minimum taxable estate amount for future decedents. This change alters the current tax structure by establishing a new floor for liability rather than adjusting tax rates or brackets.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts public employee retirement system to include certified emergency telecommunicators in Group 2. It specifically affects full-time dispatchers, supervisors, center directors, and chiefs who are certified by the State 911 Department. The key provision adds these roles to the list of covered professions in the state's general laws, granting them access to the same contributory retirement benefits as other public employees in that group.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance to implement the federal SNAP Restaurant Meals Program, allowing eligible individuals to use their food assistance benefits at participating restaurants. It specifically targets elderly, disabled, and homeless people who can currently only redeem benefits for hot meals at approved private establishments. The legislation requires the department to establish the program and create necessary rules to facilitate this process, directly impacting how these vulnerable populations access nutrition.