Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee and regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including licensed midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of who can prescribe medication to include licensed midwives and establishes a program for postpartum depression screenings for state employees. It also updates various state laws to formally recognize and define the roles of certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives across different departments.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Newton to employ retired firefighters for specific roles, such as performing fire details or working dispatch duties at the Emergency Communications Center. To qualify, individuals must have been regular Newton firefighters who retired due to age or disability, pass a medical exam, and serve until they turn 70 or are removed from the program. The law establishes that these workers will not receive standard employee benefits like vacation time or special leave, and their compensation is limited to ensure they do not exceed certain earnings caps. Additionally, the program is set to run for a fixed period, expiring on June 1, 2030, unless renewed by the city.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive educational diversion program to address the legal and social consequences of adolescents sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. It requires the Attorney General to create this curriculum in collaboration with state education and youth services departments, which will be used to divert minors from court proceedings if they are charged with related offenses. The program also mandates that schools integrate media literacy instruction using the same materials to help students understand the risks of online image sharing. Additionally, the legislation expands the legal definition of abuse to include coercive control and increases fines for certain offenses.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that legal parentage rights apply equally to all families, regardless of the parents' gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. It replaces gender-specific terms like "father" and "mother" with neutral language such as "other parent" and "person who gave birth," while also changing "paternity" to "parentage" throughout the statutes. The legislation introduces new definitions for various family arrangements, including surrogacy and assisted reproduction, to clarify how different types of parents are recognized under the law. By amending existing chapters on birth certificates and family law, the bill aims to provide consistent legal protections for children born through diverse circumstances, including those resulting from surrogacy or non-marital births.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to pay network hospitals their full negotiated rates for behavioral health services provided to MassHealth patients who are also clients of state health agencies. The payment is only authorized if the hospital can prove it has made good faith efforts to find an appropriate alternative placement for the patient. The law specifically applies to situations where no suitable alternative setting is available for the patient.
Maddy summaryThis bill transfers oversight of mental health care in Massachusetts state prisons from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. Under the new rules, the commissioner of mental health must approve all contracts for inmate mental health services and set minimum standards for how these services are delivered. Additionally, the commissioner is required to conduct audits of every correctional facility at least twice a year to ensure compliance with these standards. The legislation also mandates that any qualified mental health professional working in these facilities must operate under the supervision of the Department of Mental Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a moratorium on new construction and expansion for jails and prisons in Massachusetts. It directly affects state and public agencies by prohibiting them from building new facilities, increasing the capacity of existing ones, or converting other buildings for incarceration purposes. The law also restricts renovations and repairs unless they are strictly for maintenance or to meet building code standards. A key provision is that the ban on expanding facilities will remain in effect for five years after the law takes effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the Department of Correction and local sheriffs provide free voice telephone services to all inmates in Massachusetts correctional facilities, including jails and mental health units. The law requires these communication services to be available at all times, provided they do not disrupt educational programs or daily facility operations. Additionally, the bill ensures that both the incarcerated person and the recipient of the call incur no charges for these calls for a period of 90 days following the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to ensure that guardians and custodial parents receive court-appointed legal representation in specific probate court cases involving children. It mandates that if a non-custodial parent hires an attorney to challenge a guardian's custody or seek visitation, the guardian is automatically entitled to a court-appointed lawyer regardless of their financial status. Additionally, the bill requires the court to appoint counsel for a custodial parent seeking stepparent adoption if the opposing non-custodial parent has hired an attorney, again irrespective of indigency. The legislation also clarifies procedures for agencies seeking to dispense with consent for adoption and ensures that foster parents and relatives are notified of hearings where they may be heard. These changes aim to balance legal resources between parties in custody and adoption disputes to protect the interests of the child.