Rep. Tom Walsh

Maddy summaryH 5022 prohibits health insurance companies from denying payment for covered services solely because a patient received a referral from a doctor outside the insurance network. This affects patients seeking care from non-network providers and requires insurers to cover services under the same terms as network referrals. The bill amends multiple sections of Massachusetts health insurance laws (including Chapters 32A, 32B, 94C, 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, and 176I) to include this uniform rule. It takes effect one year after enactment for all new, renewed, or amended insurance contracts.

Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a Bill relative to the charter of the city known as the town of Randolph (House, No. 4400). January 5, 2026. [Local Approval Received].

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4782) is a procedural amendment to the charter of the town of Hudson. It replaces an earlier version (House No. 4503) that had already received local approval. The context provided does not specify the exact changes to Hudson's charter or who is directly affected. As a charter amendment bill without described substantive provisions in the given abstract, no concrete policy changes are detailed here.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the town charter of Falmouth to change how the town clerk is selected, shifting the role from an elected position to one appointed by the town manager with approval from the town select board. The legislation abolishes the elected town clerk office immediately, allowing the current holder to finish their term before the new appointment process begins. Under the new rules, the town clerk will continue to manage official records, vital statistics, and licenses but will no longer be a candidate for public election. This change aligns the clerk's hiring with other administrative roles in the town, placing the position on a specific non-union salary table.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 5609) modifies how the City of Peabody handles missing pre-employment physical exam records for public safety personnel (like police and firefighters) applying for accidental disability retirement. It requires the Peabody Retirement Board to use specific legal presumptions when records are unavailable. The key provision allows an affidavit from the member or employer to prove a physical exam was completed, stating it didn't reveal the disabling condition sought in the retirement claim. This affidavit would then be accepted as valid evidence of the required exam, streamlining the retirement process when records are lost or incomplete.

Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a bill with the same title (House, No. 4526) [Local Approval Received]. April 30, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It requires insurers and drug distributors to pay 340B-covered entities (like community health centers and safety-net hospitals) and their contract pharmacies the same rate as non-340B providers for covered drugs, without imposing special requirements or modifiers for 340B drugs. The law also protects patients' choice to receive 340B drugs from participating providers without interference. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Massachusetts law, enforced by the Attorney General and pharmacy board. The bill directly affects 340B program participants, their pharmacy partners, insurers, and drug manufacturers/distributors operating in Massachusetts.

Substituted, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, as new text for the Senate Bill regulating the issuance of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the town of Bolton (Senate, No. 2628, amended). [Local Approval Received.] June 10, 2026.

Text of a further amendment, offered by Mr. Walsh of Peabody, to the Senate amendment of the House Bill authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026 (House, No. 5478, amended). June 8, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis law allows cities and towns to choose whether to let local bars and restaurants sell alcohol for takeout and permit drinking in public spaces during summer 2026. Participating municipalities can set specific districts where public consumption is allowed, while also enabling businesses to stay open for one extra hour until 3:00 a.m. The rules apply strictly between June 8 and July 31, 2026, and establishments must continue to sell only the types of alcohol they are already licensed to serve.