Rep. Sam Montaño

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent commission in Massachusetts dedicated to improving educational opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native residents. The commission will consist of 17 members appointed by various state departments, including education, health, and social services, as well as the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs. Members will serve two-year terms without pay but can be reimbursed for work-related expenses, and the group will operate independently from other state agencies. The commission's primary role is to investigate how public and private resources can be used to enhance educational support and services for these communities. Appointments will be made through an open process involving consultation with tribal governments and intertribal organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education law to require schools to include specific Native American history and culture in their curriculum. It mandates that instruction cover the history and current issues of local tribes like the Wampanoag and Massachuset, as well as broader topics such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and genocide. The law also requires the state education board to consult with Native American communities when developing these new teaching standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Secretary of Equity within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to oversee efforts aimed at reducing health disparities. It defines "health equity" and "priority populations" as groups disproportionately affected by these disparities and requires the state health commissioner to include a chief health equity officer in their leadership team. The legislation also mandates that the health commissioner appoint at least one board member with specific professional experience related to health equity who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color. Additionally, the bill requires the state health commissioner to integrate health equity principles into all their official duties and powers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The coverage includes continuous labor support, home visits, assistance with appointments, and help connecting families to community resources. By adding this specific provision to Chapter 118E of the General Laws, the legislation ensures that state-funded health care plans include these supportive services for qualifying beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special citizens commission to investigate how Massachusetts can transition away from nuclear weapons production toward green technologies that address climate change. The commission will examine the state's current dependence on nuclear weapons-related jobs and investments, then propose financial and legal strategies to shift those resources to climate-focused industries while identifying necessary federal assistance. The eleven-member panel will be appointed by state officials and a coalition of peace and environmental groups, with strict rules ensuring no current employees of nuclear facilities serve on the group.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to specialized, high-performance breast pumps for mothers in Massachusetts who are unable to directly feed their newborns due to medical complications. It requires both the state's employee health insurance program and Medicaid managed care plans to cover the rental of these durable, multi-user pumps for the duration of the infant's hospital stay or until pumping ceases. The legislation also mandates that these pumps be provided within 24 hours of a mother's hospital discharge and includes coverage for essential replacement parts, storage bags, and professional lactation support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Racially Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund to support schools in developing and implementing racially inclusive educational materials. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would manage the fund, which can be financed through state appropriations, interest, and private donations, and the money would not be subject to annual budget cuts. The legislation authorizes the department to use these funds for creating curriculum frameworks, providing professional development training for teachers, and issuing grants to public schools and districts. Additionally, the bill establishes a specific grant program that requires applicants to demonstrate how their proposed curriculum can be replicated across other districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a paid, tuition-free apprenticeship program for future teachers. Under the plan, selected individuals would work alongside experienced staff while earning an accelerated bachelor's degree in arts or sciences relevant to their teaching field. The program requires participants to complete three years of paid work, with their wages increasing as they gain experience and finish their degree. It also establishes a legal definition for "Teacher Apprentice" to clarify the role of these trainees within school districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a five-year pilot program that offers an alternative path to teacher certification. Instead of requiring all candidates to pass standard state exams, the program would allow individuals to earn preliminary certification based on their teaching experience and student growth scores over four years. The alternative process could also waive one of the two required tests for candidates who have already been certified in another state, shown significant impact on student growth while working outside Massachusetts, or completed a satisfactory portfolio of work. This initiative directly affects aspiring educators by providing a more flexible route to licensure that relies on demonstrated proficiency rather than solely on standardized testing.