Maddy summaryH 4420 creates the Agriculture and Fishery Vulnerability Preparedness Grant Fund to help Massachusetts farms and fisheries prepare for climate change impacts. The fund, managed by state agricultural and fishery departments, provides grants for climate resilience projects like energy-efficient farming, climate-resilient infrastructure, and data collection. It also supports technical assistance to help applicants plan and secure funding for these initiatives. Grants are awarded based on sector and regional needs, with quarterly reports tracking applicants, recipients, funding amounts, and administrative costs to state legislative committees. The fund permanently retains unspent money, ensuring ongoing support without annual re-appropriation.
Rep. Tara Hong
Sponsored bills
By Representatives Domb of Amherst and Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 118) of Mindy Domb and Andres X. Vargas for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the sustainability of eligible emergency food providers, known as food pantries. Agriculture.
Maddy summaryHD 3991 requires utility contractors performing street excavations (like for gas, electricity, or cable work) to pay prevailing wages as defined by Massachusetts labor standards. It mandates that contractors submit wage agreements before permits are issued and maintain detailed payroll records showing hours worked, occupations, and wage rates for all workers. This applies to projects requiring permits from state, municipal, or utility authorities, directly affecting utility companies and their contractors. The bill enforces these requirements through existing labor laws (Chapter 149, Sections 26-27F) and connects to permit issuance procedures under Chapter 30.
Maddy summaryHD 766 creates a permanent 17-member commission focused on improving educational outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native students in Massachusetts. The commission, appointed with representation from state education and health departments plus tribal consultation, will investigate resource use, partner with agencies on school/community programs (like suicide prevention), and make annual recommendations to the governor and legislature. It will operate independently, hold public meetings, and accept separate funding for its work. The bill directly affects tribal communities and state education agencies by requiring ongoing collaboration to address educational disparities and support cultural heritage learning. The commission must report annually by June 2 on findings and recommendations.
Maddy summaryHD 2100 establishes a Food Literacy Trust Fund to support school-based food literacy programs. The fund, financed by state appropriations, grants, and interest, allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide resources and curricula on topics like nutrition, food systems, environmental connections, food justice, and culinary skills. Schools must incorporate these standards into existing subjects (e.g., science, math) and may use the fund for professional development. The bill requires annual reporting on fund use and program implementation to state education committees.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. It provides funding for institutions to implement campus food support programs, including partnerships with meal vendors that accept federal nutrition benefits and student meal credit sharing systems. The program requires participating colleges to meet specific criteria, such as designating staff to assist students with food assistance programs and establishing campus awareness initiatives. A dedicated "Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund" will manage the grants, with annual reports tracking participating schools, student engagement, and program outcomes.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts health insurance laws to expand coverage for midwifery services. It updates definitions in multiple statutes to include "licensed certified professional midwives" alongside existing providers and removes the phrase "for abortion or abortion-related care" from coverage exclusions. These changes apply to health insurance policies under Chapters 32A, 118E, 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G, requiring insurers to cover a broader range of midwifery services without prior restrictions. The commissioner of health insurance must ensure compliance with these updated requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts public high schools to ensure all students submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before graduation, with clear exemptions for students or parents who decline. Schools must provide support for FAFSA completion and use accessible, multilingual forms for opt-outs - no citizenship questions required. It creates a dedicated FAFSA Trust Fund (effective 2026) to support schools in implementation, including training and workshops for underserved communities, funded by state appropriations and private donations. The law mandates annual reporting on FAFSA submission rates and exemptions, broken down by demographics, with the school requirement taking effect in 2027.
By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 780) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian and others that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services be authorized to establish a hospital to home partnership program. Elder Affairs.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts high school students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduation, with limited exemptions for students or families who formally decline (via school-approved forms) or for minors where schools document efforts to assist. It mandates schools to provide support for FAFSA completion and establishes a dedicated FAFSA Trust Fund to cover implementation costs, including training, workshops, and community partnerships - prioritizing underserved districts. Schools must annually report FAFSA submission rates and exemptions broken down by demographics like race and location. The law takes effect for the fund in 2025 and for student requirements in 2026.