Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how Massachusetts can better support adults over 21 with developmental disabilities, particularly those whose conditions are not currently covered by the state's definition. The commission will consist of government officials and community representatives, including individuals with lived experience, to examine current service gaps and compare state definitions with federal standards. Its main task is to gather input from families and providers, identify unmet needs for specific diagnoses like cerebral palsy or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and propose recommendations to improve service availability and inter-agency collaboration. The group must submit a final report with findings, budget estimates, and potential new laws within one year of the bill taking effect.
Rep. Tram Nguyen
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to help Massachusetts communities address contamination in drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. The fund will be financed through recovered amounts from lawsuits or settlements against manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing products, along with other designated transfers and donations. Expenditures from the fund will prioritize vulnerable environmental justice populations and can be used to provide grants to municipalities, counties, and health boards for remediation projects, treatment systems, and private well assistance. The law also establishes rules requiring grant recipients to repay the fund if they later recover costs from liable third parties and prohibits funding for projects caused by the applicant's own negligence.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new advisory board to study and recommend minimum standards for wages, benefits, working hours, and safety in Massachusetts nail salons. The fifteen-member board includes government officials, business owners, labor experts, and licensed manicurists appointed by the governor, attorney general, and other agencies. The board will research industry conditions, collect data, and submit reports with policy recommendations to state officials within eighteen months of the law taking effect. Members serve unpaid two-year terms and may form subcommittees to focus on specific areas like health and safety or workforce development.
Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that insurance plans in Massachusetts cover services provided by certified nurse-midwives at the same reimbursement rate as those provided by licensed physicians. It applies to state employee health plans, public health insurance programs, and private individual or group hospital service plans operating within the state. The legislation ensures that insurers cannot lower payments for nurse-midwife services to comply with the new coverage requirements, effectively treating these services as equal to physician services for billing purposes.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to protect the privacy of individuals seeking pregnancy-related services and to regulate how pregnancy services centers advertise their offerings. It defines key terms such as "pregnancy services center," which includes facilities that do not provide abortions or emergency contraception, and establishes strict rules for how these centers can collect and use personal information. Under the new provisions, centers must obtain clear, affirmative consent from clients before gathering their data and are prohibited from using misleading statements or deceptive design in their marketing materials. The legislation also restricts the sharing of client information with third parties unless specific consent is given, aiming to ensure transparency and respect for patient autonomy.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows candidates running for public office in Massachusetts to use campaign funds to pay for child care services during campaign activities. It defines child care to include babysitting from various providers and permits payments to family members only if they operate a professional daycare or charge market rates. The legislation also requires the director of campaign finance to create specific regulations governing these expenses by December 31, 2023.
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 Representatives Scanlon of North Attleborough and Arriaga of Chicopee, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3532) of Adam Scanlon, Shirley B. Arriaga and others relative to emergency medical technician certification of veterans and military medics. Veterans and Federal Affairs.
By Representative Mahoney of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2374) of John J. Mahoney relative to establishing a board of hoisting machinery regulations. 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.