Rep. Adrian Madaro

Maddy summaryHD 1867 increases payment rates for mental health services provided by clinics and independent practitioners. Starting January 2027, it requires a 5% minimum rate increase per service code and mandates that clinics receive at least 20% more payment than independent practitioners for comparable services. The bill also requires biennial reviews of these rates, considering inflation (using Medicare Economic Index data), wage comparisons to state labor statistics, and costs from new government mandates. This directly affects mental health clinics, independent practitioners, and managed care entities that pay for these services.

Maddy summaryHD 2122 requires Massachusetts health insurance plans - including Medicaid, private insurers, and employer health plans - to cover services provided by certified community health workers (CHWs), such as health education, care coordination, and resource navigation. It directly affects CHWs, healthcare providers, community organizations, and insurers by mandating payment for these services, including those employed by non-medical entities. The bill also establishes a task force to study CHW workforce challenges and recommend improvements to certification, recruitment, retention, and reimbursement by March 2026. This policy change expands access to community-based health support through standardized insurance coverage and workforce development efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the House Revenue Committee to submit its final report on five specific current House documents until January 4, 2027. By overriding a standard rule, the legislation grants the committee additional time to complete its review of these particular items. The change applies only to the internal timeline for this specific committee and does not alter the content or status of the documents themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3226) creates a new "Secretary of Equity" position within state government and adds "health equity" as a core requirement across health-related laws. It defines "priority populations" as groups disproportionately affected by health disparities and mandates that health agencies incorporate health equity into all decisions, including requiring a "chief health equity officer" (Section 8). The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for health care spending trends, including data on health inequities (Section 17), and sets aggregate expenditure targets for primary care and behavioral health services (Section 9A). It directly affects state health agencies, healthcare providers, and priority populations by requiring systemic changes to address health disparities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 4616) raises the minimum age requirement for entering the Boston Police Academy from 40 to 45 years old. It directly affects individuals seeking to become Boston police officers by increasing the age threshold for academy enrollment. The bill amends Chapter 43 of the General Laws by changing the relevant age reference in the text. This is a straightforward procedural change with no additional provisions or funding impacts.

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 resolution establishes a special commission to study how combat experience affects motherhood, parenting, and long-term outcomes for children of female veterans in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of veterans, committee chairs, and experts in veterans' affairs and mental health, will examine these impacts over an 18-month period. It will submit findings and potential legislative recommendations to the legislature by the deadline. The study directly focuses on female veterans with combat experience and their children residing in the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that Massachusetts begin offering universal newborn screenings for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) starting July 1, 2027. The legislation requires hospitals and birthing facilities to test all newborns using saliva or urine PCR tests, with results shared with parents, doctors, and the state within 21 days of birth. Healthcare providers must also provide expectant parents with evidence-based information about CMV prevention and support resources during prenatal and postnatal care visits. While the bill includes a religious exemption allowing parents to opt out of the screening, it also establishes a new advisory committee to oversee the program's implementation and ensure accurate testing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants, schools, sports leagues, and other public venues to purchase and keep epinephrine autoinjectors on-site to treat severe allergic reactions. To do so, these locations must get approval from the state department, ensure their staff completes specific emergency training, and store the devices in easily accessible places. Trained employees are authorized to use these injectors on anyone showing signs of anaphylaxis, even if the person does not have a personal prescription for the medication. The law also provides legal protection from lawsuits for these venues and their staff when administering the drug in good faith, while requiring them to report each use to the state for public analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases access to epinephrine for life-threatening allergic reactions by allowing pharmacists to dispense autoinjectors without a prescription under a statewide standing order, with liability protection for good-faith actions. It also shields first responders from drug possession charges when seeking medical help for anaphylaxis and permits businesses (like schools, restaurants, and sports venues) to maintain and store epinephrine supplies with staff training. Pharmacists must complete anaphylaxis recognition training, and all entities must report dispensing data anonymously to the state. The law aims to make emergency treatment more accessible while protecting those administering it.