Rep. Dan Donahue

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to provide at least one year of advance notice before closing any essential health services. It also mandates that hospitals inform specific groups, including staff, labor unions, and local lawmakers, at least 30 days before submitting their closure notice. The law aims to give communities and workers more time to prepare for significant changes in local healthcare availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services to create rules that increase payment rates for residential care homes and rest homes under specific conditions. It requires these rate adjustments to occur within ninety days when facilities hire licensed nursing staff to meet residents' growing clinical needs. Additionally, the bill mandates faster reimbursement within ninety days for homes that successfully implement required improvements identified during public health surveys. The legislation primarily affects private residential care providers and aims to ensure they receive timely funding for staffing and compliance efforts.

By Representative Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3305) of Daniel M. Donahue relative to public inspections of transportation projects. Transportation.

By Representative Donahue of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3304) of Daniel M. Donahue relative to the conversion of private ways to public ways. Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every public school district in Massachusetts to create and maintain a comprehensive school counseling program for all students from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. Under the new rules, districts must hire licensed school counselors who dedicate at least eighty percent of their time to direct or indirect services for students. Additionally, the law mandates a specific staffing ratio of one counselor for every two hundred fifty students to ensure equitable access across all districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study ways to improve pollinator health by expanding native habitats across Massachusetts. The commission will examine opportunities in various settings, including farms, forests, parks, and urban areas, to support a wide range of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. Composed of 11 members representing government agencies, universities, and advocacy groups, the commission must submit its findings and any proposed laws to state committees by March 1, 2024.

By Representatives Khan of Newton and Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2209) of Kay Khan, Brandy Fluker Oakley and others for legislation to establish a board of registration in midwifery and further regulating out-of-hospital birth access and safety. Public Health.

By Representative Mahoney of Worcester and Senator Moore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2234) of John J. Mahoney and Michael O. Moore relative to source plasma donation centers. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires MassHealth to ensure that all Senior Care Options plans provide a specific dementia care coordination service to members diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The legislation defines this service as a proactive care consultation designed to help individuals receive cost-effective and quality care within the existing senior care framework. By adding this requirement to state law, the measure directly affects seniors enrolled in MassHealth's Senior Care Options programs who have been diagnosed with these conditions.