Maddy summaryThis bill revives and extends the operations of the Citizens Commission, a group established in 2018 to advocate for a constitutional amendment to secure government of the people. The legislation amends existing laws to ensure the commission continues its work until a proposed amendment is officially ratified, while also providing the commission with administrative support from the governor's office. Key provisions include updating the rules for appointing commission members to require consultation with minority leaders and establishing a clear process for filling vacancies within specific timeframes. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission issue an annual report analyzing federal constitutional amendments related to campaign finance and offering recommendations for future legislative actions.
Rep. Carmine Gentile
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes raising the minimum age for purchasing and possessing firearms in Massachusetts from 18 to 21 years old. Under the new rules, individuals under 21 would only be allowed to buy manually operated rifles and shotguns, such as those with bolt, pump, lever, or slide actions, unless they are members of the National Guard, U.S. armed forces, or peace officers. The legislation also mandates that anyone selling firearms to a person under 21 faces severe penalties, including a 10-year ban on obtaining a firearms license and potential fines or imprisonment. Additionally, the bill requires that all firearm purchases by residents under 21 must be accompanied by a valid permit to purchase, removing the ability to buy guns solely with a standard identification card.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. The measure seeks to restore the ability of the government to regulate campaign spending by corporations and other groups, arguing that current rules allow unlimited influence that threatens fair elections. If passed by Congress and ratified by the states, the amendment would give lawmakers the power to limit how much money can be spent in political campaigns. Currently, the bill only serves as a formal request to Congress and does not change any laws directly.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to require that the state's group insurance commission cover biomarker testing for employees and retirees. The legislation defines biomarker testing as the analysis of a patient's biological samples to identify indicators of disease or drug response and mandates coverage when such tests are supported by FDA approvals, federal Medicare decisions, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines. By establishing these specific criteria, the bill aims to ensure that insured individuals have access to necessary diagnostic tools that help doctors determine the most appropriate therapy for their conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve access to biomarker testing for cancer patients in Massachusetts to help them receive the most appropriate therapy. It requires health insurers to cover the cost of these specific tests without imposing additional restrictions or requiring prior authorization beyond what is already standard for other medical services. The legislation directly affects cancer patients, their families, and health insurance providers by ensuring that necessary diagnostic tools are financially accessible. By removing barriers to testing, the bill seeks to facilitate better treatment decisions based on individual patient biology.
By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3513) of Meghan Kilcoyne relative to veterans' benefits. Veterans and Federal Affairs.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.
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.
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 requires the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to incorporate embodied carbon - the greenhouse gas emissions from building materials and construction processes - into the state's climate policy. It establishes an Embodied Carbon Advisory Board composed of engineers, architects, industry representatives, and housing advocates to guide efforts in measuring and reducing these emissions. The legislation mandates an assessment of current industry knowledge, the creation of best practice guidelines for tracking carbon footprints, and the integration of embodied carbon standards into the state's stretch building energy code.