Rep. Michelle Badger

Maddy summaryHD 830 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for long-term care residents in Massachusetts from $72.80 to $113.42. It directly affects individuals living in licensed nursing facilities, chronic hospitals, rest homes, or other approved medical institutions who are not maintaining their own homes. The bill ensures these residents retain the first $113.42 of their monthly income for personal expenses or receive the difference if their income is lower, with the amount automatically adjusted annually at the same rate as other state supplementary payments. This change applies to all relevant care settings covered under chapters 117A, 118A, and 118E of the General Laws.

Maddy summaryHD 2485 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in Massachusetts healthcare. It bans healthcare providers and entities from denying lifesaving treatment or prioritizing care based on assumptions about a person's quality of life or "worth" due to disability, or using metrics that value lives with disabilities less than others. The law specifically prohibits conditioning treatment on having a "Do Not Resuscitate" order or advance directive, while allowing consideration of short-term survival likelihood in crisis care. This applies to all public and private healthcare entities in Massachusetts, ensuring equal access to treatment regardless of disability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts utilities to create a public online dashboard showing real-time breakdowns of residential utility bills, including clean energy program benefits and costs. It mandates that at least 70% of certain clean energy compliance payments must be returned to ratepayers as annual bill credits within 90 days. The dashboard will display historical rate components, program benefits (like reduced emissions and system reliability), and utility cost recovery mechanisms. These changes directly affect residential electricity and gas customers by increasing bill transparency and providing direct financial returns for clean energy investments.

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHD 5442 authorizes the town of Plymouth to create a dedicated "Land Acquisition Fund" within its treasury to purchase land for recreation, open space, or other municipal purposes. The bill requires the town to deposit specific existing revenue streams - such as funds from Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B of the General Laws - into this fund, with all interest earned remaining part of the fund. This is a procedural measure that streamlines how Plymouth manages pre-existing land acquisition funds without creating new taxes or altering land-use policies. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHD 2540 creates a legal process for terminally ill Massachusetts residents to request medication for a peaceful death. It requires patients to be mentally capable adults with a terminal diagnosis (expected death within 6 months), prove Massachusetts residency, and complete a 15-day waiting period after an initial oral request. The process involves two physicians confirming the diagnosis and mental capacity, plus two non-family witnesses verifying the patient’s voluntary participation. Patients with legal guardians are excluded, and the bill explicitly does not affect existing hospice or palliative care options.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts to apply for federal approval to establish an assisted living option as an alternative to nursing homes for Medicaid-eligible individuals at risk of institutional care. It mandates that the combined cost of assisted living services and Supplemental Security Income benefits must not exceed 80% of the cost of comparable nursing home care, using existing MassHealth waiver data. The bill also requires three reports: one on federal application status and fiscal impact within 120 days, and two on implementation barriers and community access within 180 days. These reports will guide how MassHealth integrates assisted living into its waiver programs, ensuring equal access for members needing long-term care services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows court-appointed guardians to be paid directly for arranging medical care for incapacitated people (those unable to make their own health decisions). It creates specific rules for guardians to qualify as "providers," requiring proof of court appointment, a sworn statement of service dates, and confirmation they are not immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, or sibling). Guardians must submit claims with court documents, and payments cannot duplicate existing insurance coverage. The law also sets new payment rates for guardians based on regional costs, inflation, and geographic wage differences.

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 545) of Marjorie C. Decker, Samantha Montaño and Natalie M. Higgins relative to MassHealth reimbursement to schools. Education.

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2928) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joan B. Lovely and Michelle L. Badger for legislation to establish a celiac disease screening pilot program. Public Health.