Rep. John Rogers

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid coverage for doula services, which provide non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals during pregnancy, labor, and the year following childbirth or pregnancy loss. The legislation mandates that the state cover continuous labor support and at least six doula visits, including two postpartum visits, without requiring prior authorization, while also ensuring access for eligible individuals regardless of immigration status. Additionally, the bill establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed of practicing doulas and community members with personal perinatal experiences to oversee the program and ensure diverse representation.

By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2183) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile and others for legislation to improve food allergy awareness. Public Health.

By Representative Rogers of Norwood, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2935) of John H. Rogers relative to the sales tax on bundled cellular telephone transactions. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires food service establishments in Massachusetts to include a specific video on food allergies as part of the certification process for food protection managers. The video must be interactive, include a knowledge check to verify understanding, and feature the most current information on allergens, with approval standards set by the state in consultation with the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Food Allergy Research & Education, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Additionally, the law mandates that at least one employee present during food service hours must have viewed this video, and it updates the list of organizations responsible for reviewing and approving the educational material every five years.

Senate, March 14, 2024 -- Text of the Senate Bill ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development (Senate, No. 2707) (being the text of Senate, No. 2697, printed as amended)

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to increase monthly cash assistance payments for families in Massachusetts who are struggling with deep poverty. Starting in July 2023, the law mandates that benefit amounts rise by 25 percent each year until they reach a level equal to 50 percent of the federal poverty line for the household size. Once that threshold is met, payments will continue to increase annually to ensure they do not fall below that 50 percent standard. The legislation specifically applies to recipients of state aid programs, excluding rental allowances, and also includes additional adjustments for clothing and housing costs for eligible households.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to evaluate the total cost of road projects, including initial construction and future maintenance, when spending over one million dollars. It mandates that the department design such projects using both asphalt and plain jointed cementitious concrete, then select the material with the lowest long-term cost. Additionally, the law requires the department to build at least four demonstration projects using plain jointed cementitious concrete annually for ten years to gather real-world performance data. These demonstration projects must meet specific goals related to durability, ride quality, or noise reduction and include annual reports comparing their effectiveness to standard methods.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every school district in Massachusetts to create and submit an annual literacy strategic plan that outlines how they will teach reading using scientifically proven methods. The law mandates that these plans cover professional training for teachers, the selection of approved reading curricula, and support systems for parents to help their children learn to read. Districts must use programs from a state-approved list, and those with low reading test scores will be required to include their literacy plans in broader long-term improvement strategies. Additionally, the state department of education will develop resources to help districts train staff and will convene a group of experts to recommend ways to spread best practices across the educator workforce.