Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Dental Patient Bill of Rights for individuals covered by employee benefit plans or health insurance policies in Massachusetts. It requires insurers to clearly disclose how they calculate payments, such as whether they use "usual and customary" fees or a preset schedule, and mandates the creation of a free online website where patients and dentists can access detailed coverage information. The legislation also ensures that non-contracting dentists receive the same payment as in-network providers, allows patients to assign payment rights directly to their dentist, and prohibits insurers from interfering with a dentist's clinical decisions or requiring unnecessary diagnostic tests. Additionally, the bill prevents insurers from deducting overpayments from one claim to reduce reimbursement for another claim involving the same patient and dentist.
Rep. Alice Peisch
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts charter schools to voluntarily give enrollment priority to vulnerable student groups, such as those with special needs, English learners, and students in foster care. Under the new rules, these schools could admit eligible students at any time during the school year, including those who are on waitlists or admitted through the lottery. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education must create specific regulations to define which student subgroups qualify and outline the process for implementing these preferences. The legislation also explicitly includes students with emergency resettlement status as eligible for these enrollment preferences.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires private special education schools that receive state funding to publish annual reports detailing student achievement data and submit audited financial statements to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It also mandates that these schools provide copies of their audit reports to the specific school districts that enrolled their students. Additionally, the legislation directs the state secretary of education to study and recommend improvements for overseeing private special education programs, including how to better collect data on educational programming and services. The bill further adjusts construction funding rules to give priority and incentive points to projects that create space for in-district special education programs. Finally, it clarifies that data sharing between the departments of early education and care and elementary and secondary education is permitted only for residential programs approved by both agencies.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.
By Representative Peisch of Wellesley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2385) of Alice Hanlon Peisch relative to establishing a smart gun technology task force. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2351) of Kay Khan and others relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to update the names of various health and insurance agencies, such as changing the "commissioner of insurance" to the "commissioner of health insurance." It also reorganizes certain divisions within the Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation to better reflect their specific roles in health and insurance oversight. Additionally, the legislation introduces new definitions for terms like "health equity," "private equity company," and "significant equity investor" to clarify how these concepts apply to healthcare providers. By adding these definitions and updating agency titles, the bill aims to improve the clarity and accuracy of the state's market review and regulatory framework.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows small businesses in Massachusetts with 25 or fewer employees to self-certify their family and medical leave plans without needing prior approval from the state department. Under the new rules, these smaller employers can submit their private plans directly and are exempt from specific filing requirements that apply to larger companies. The change aims to simplify the administrative process for qualifying small firms while maintaining the core protections for employees seeking leave.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to reorganize the Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by renaming the commissioner of insurance to the commissioner of health insurance and shifting certain health-related divisions to the new Division of Health Insurance. It also updates the structure of the Health Policy Commission by adding new definitions for key terms such as health equity, health disparities, and significant equity investors to support market reviews. Additionally, the legislation establishes a specific three-year benchmark cycle for monitoring projected changes in total healthcare expenditures across the commonwealth. These changes aim to clarify the roles of various agencies and provide clearer definitions for analyzing healthcare costs and market structures.
By Representative Barrows of Mansfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3142) of F. Jay Barrows and others relative to municipal light plants. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.