Rep. Natalie Blais

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance plans in Massachusetts that cover screening mammograms for state employees to also cover diagnostic breast cancer exams and digital breast tomosynthesis screenings without charging higher out-of-pocket costs. The legislation defines diagnostic exams as medically necessary tests used to evaluate abnormalities found during screenings or based on medical history, ensuring these services are treated with the same financial benefits as standard mammograms. Additionally, the bill creates an exemption for high-deductible health plans that use Health Savings Accounts, allowing them to maintain their tax-qualified status while still complying with state preventive care requirements. These changes aim to improve access to early detection tools for breast cancer across different types of insurance coverage within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Green and Healthy Schools Working Group to develop a plan for making all school buildings in Massachusetts healthier and more energy-efficient by 2050. The group will include representatives from various state agencies and will consult with educators, parents, and community members through public listening sessions to gather input. Based on its findings, the working group will recommend specific standards and a division of responsibilities for renovating existing schools and constructing new ones to ensure safe, sustainable learning environments. State agencies will then be tasked with implementing and enforcing these standards according to a timeline that includes five-year progress benchmarks.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts governor to issue an annual proclamation designating March 21 as Massachusetts Child Nutrition Day. It also mandates that food service companies serving public schools ensure at least 50% of their weekly lunch entrées are healthy options containing whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fiber-rich proteins. Additionally, the law prohibits schools from serving more than 20% of their lunch entrées as ultra-processed foods or items with excessive cholesterol and saturated fat. To enforce these rules, providers must publicly share monthly nutrition data, and they will have a three-year phase-in period to meet the new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to hold individuals legally responsible for damages caused to crops or agricultural property by off-highway or recreational vehicles. It specifically targets people who operate these vehicles in a way that destroys another person's field crops or who intentionally remove or damage agricultural property without the owner's permission. Under the new rules, anyone found guilty of these actions would be required to pay the property owner for the resulting losses. The legislation aims to provide clearer legal recourse for farmers and landowners whose agricultural assets are harmed by unauthorized vehicle use.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program in Massachusetts to help schools and early education centers buy food from local farms and fisheries. It provides financial reimbursement to these programs, paying $1 for every $3 spent on products grown or caught in the state and $1 for every $5 spent on items from other New England states. To manage the program, the state will form an advisory committee and hire a coordinator to oversee implementation and ensure schools have the capacity to participate. The law specifically prioritizes purchases from small businesses and socially disadvantaged producers while requiring all food to meet federal nutrition standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program within the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to fund local food purchases and cooking equipment for schools and childcare centers. The program aims to improve student nutrition by enabling institutions to buy ingredients grown in the state and prepare scratch-cooked meals while teaching students about the food system. To receive funding, applicants must be public schools or licensed childcare programs that serve meals through specific federal feeding programs. An advisory committee, including representatives from agriculture and early education, will oversee the grants to ensure diverse stakeholder input.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new funding program within the Massachusetts School Building Authority specifically for vocational-technical education and regional vocational-technical schools. The legislation aims to improve access and capacity by directing capital investments toward infrastructure that supports industry-relevant workforce training and economic development. By establishing this dedicated tool, the bill seeks to ensure equitable access to public education and modern facilities for students pursuing technical careers.