Rep. Matt Muratore

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to explicitly authorize libraries to purchase and license electronic books and digital audiobooks. It directly affects a wide range of library types, including public, school, academic, and tribal libraries, by legally defining these digital formats and the companies that provide them. The legislation clarifies that "publishers" include both traditional book sellers and digital aggregators who license collections to libraries. By updating Chapter 78 of the General Laws, the bill removes potential legal barriers that might have prevented libraries from acquiring modern digital reading materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to allow public bodies and town meetings to be held remotely or in hybrid formats while ensuring all participants can hear one another clearly. It mandates that these meetings remain open to the public and provides for remote voting by members, preventing them from being counted as absent. To maintain transparency, the legislation requires that the public have access to deliberations through live streaming or, if live access is not possible due to financial constraints, by posting a full transcript or recording on the organization's website. The bill also clarifies that remote participation must be offered without any fees or charges to the public.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2902) of Mathew J. Muratore and others relative to providing for an exemption from the motor vehicle excise tax for certain armed forces medal recipients. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to exempt certain animal medications and supplies from sales tax in Massachusetts. It directly affects pet owners and veterinarians by allowing them to purchase prescription drugs and specific therapeutic items without paying the standard sales tax. The legislation defines these exempt items as drugs dispensed only by licensed veterinarians and supplies that are therapeutic in nature, intended for treating illness or injury, and not meant for repeated use. By amending state tax law, the bill aims to reduce the cost of essential veterinary care for animals.

By Representative Driscoll of Milton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3025) of William J. Driscoll, Jr., and others relative to remote access for public bodies and town meetings. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

By Representative Muratore of Plymouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3525) of Mathew J. Muratore and others relative to parking at certain airports for disabled veterans. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

By Representative LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2355) of Kathleen R. LaNatra and others relative to the well-being of law enforcement officers after involvement in critical incidents. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee and regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including licensed midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of who can prescribe medication to include licensed midwives and establishes a program for postpartum depression screenings for state employees. It also updates various state laws to formally recognize and define the roles of certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives across different departments.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes a mandatory educational diversion program in Massachusetts for minors charged with specific offenses related to possessing or sharing sexual images, commonly known as sexting. The Attorney General will lead the creation of this program in collaboration with various state agencies and community groups, focusing on informing youth about legal penalties, social consequences, and the risks of online image sharing. If a child is charged with these offenses, the court will typically pause legal proceedings to require the completion of this program instead of immediate prosecution, unless the district attorney objects. Successful completion of the program allows the case to be dismissed, while failure to participate results in the case being restored for standard legal processing. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of abuse to include "coercive control" and requires schools to teach media literacy skills using materials from the new diversion program.