Rep. John Mahoney

Maddy summaryH 4767 requires health care employers in Massachusetts (including hospitals, mental health facilities, and certain state-operated care facilities) to create and maintain workplace violence prevention programs. Employers must conduct annual risk assessments covering factors like working alone, high-crime areas, and patient behavior, then develop written plans with employee training, reporting systems, and crisis response teams. The law mandates specific provisions such as staff training on reporting violence, post-incident debriefings, and designated senior managers for crisis response. Violations can result in fines up to $2,000 per offense, and employees cannot be retaliated against for reporting safety concerns.

Maddy summaryH 4952 amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to expand who can diagnose and treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for insurance coverage. The bill updates definitions in multiple statutes to include licensed nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists alongside physicians for ASD diagnosis, treatment, and related pharmacy care. These changes require health insurance policies to cover services by these providers starting January 1, 2027, directly affecting individuals seeking ASD care and insurers managing coverage.

Maddy summaryHD 1387 limits out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs for public employees and retirees. It sets a maximum annual cap of $2,000 for individual coverage and $4,000 for family coverage on deductibles and copayments for covered pharmaceutical services. The bill applies to active and retired public employees, their dependents, and survivors of deceased employees under non-Medicare group health insurance plans, including municipal subscribers. This directly affects public sector workers and retirees enrolled in such health plans.

Maddy summaryHD 3432 prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, or possession of devices used to steal cars through digital means, specifically targeting "motor vehicle key programming or emulating devices" and "relay attack devices" designed to intercept key fob signals. The bill directly affects individuals who create, distribute, or use these tools for vehicle theft or property theft from vehicles. Key provisions define these devices and ban their use with intent to steal, including aiding others in such activities. Violations carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison or fines plus up to 2.5 years in jail.

Maddy summaryHD 3829 strengthens protections for individuals receiving structured settlement payments (like injury compensation paid over time), particularly affecting minors under 18 and people with cognitive impairments such as dementia or intellectual disabilities. The bill requires court approval before any transfer of these payments can occur, mandating detailed financial disclosures to payees about fees, discount rates, and net payments. It also requires transferees (companies buying payments) to provide written notices and ensure payees receive independent professional advice before agreeing to transfers. These provisions aim to prevent exploitation by requiring transparency and judicial oversight for all such transactions.

Maddy summaryHD 1716 reforms Massachusetts' Toxics Use Reduction Act by requiring large facilities that use significant amounts of toxic chemicals to submit toxics use reduction plans every six years (specifically in even-numbered years), instead of the previous less frequent schedule. It also establishes a new exemption for toxic substance use mandated by federal authorities (like the military or DHS), requiring facilities to provide an affidavit proving the federal requirement. The bill updates certification periods for relevant personnel to six years with renewals, and specifies continuing education hour requirements for recertification (ranging from 30 to 45 hours per period). These changes directly affect industrial facilities subject to the act's reporting requirements.

By Representative Mahoney of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1254) of John J. Mahoney relative to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Financial Services.

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2182) of Michael O. Moore, Robyn K. Kennedy, Hannah Kane and Lindsay N. Sabadosa for legislation to establish May as native plant month. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to study the sustainability of emergency medical services (EMS) in Massachusetts. The task force, co-chaired by the health secretary and public health commissioner, includes representatives from EMS providers, hospitals, fire departments, behavioral health groups, and ambulance associations. It will examine key issues like reimbursement rates for ambulance services, workforce challenges (training, pay, retention), municipal contract exemptions, and the impact of minimum wage increases on EMS staffing. The task force must submit a detailed report with recommendations within six months, addressing barriers to EMS sustainability that affect both providers and patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies rules for alcohol suppliers when ownership changes. It defines a "successor supplier" as any entity taking over the right to sell branded alcoholic beverages to Massachusetts-licensed wholesalers. The key provision requires that all prior sales of a brand to wholesalers by the original supplier count toward the 6-month minimum sales requirement under existing law, ensuring continuity for the new supplier. This directly affects alcohol suppliers and wholesalers during ownership transitions in Massachusetts. The bill amends Chapter 138 of the General Laws to implement this change.