Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds for corn, wheat, and soybeans starting January 1, 2029, directly affecting farmers growing these crops. Exceptions require a department-issued waiver based on a pest risk assessment showing the neonicotinoid is necessary to prevent significant crop damage, with no less harmful alternatives available. Waivers must specify location, duration (max one year), and environmental safeguards, and must be publicly posted online. The law mandates farmers to maintain records of waiver use for department review. It aims to reduce neonicotinoid pesticide exposure to pollinators and water sources by restricting their agricultural use.

Maddy summaryHD 1706 prevents landlords from evicting tenants solely due to having a pet during a state of emergency (unless the pet causes harm), and bans breed-based restrictions in housing rules, condo bylaws, and tenant screening. It limits additional rent for common household pets to 1% of monthly rent per dog or cumulatively for other pets, while exempting service animals. The bill also prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or increasing premiums based on dog breed, except for designated dangerous dogs. These changes apply to residential landlords, housing authorities, and insurers, aiming to reduce pet-related housing barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Midwifery Workforce Development Fund to support midwifery education, retention, and birth center sustainability. The fund, administered by the state health department, receives state/federal maternal health funds and private donations, with unspent balances rolling over annually. It finances student education costs, midwife loan forgiveness (potentially requiring work in underserved areas), midwifery training programs, and mental health support for practicing midwives. Additionally, the bill mandates that state health insurance programs pay certified midwives and freestanding birth centers at rates no lower than those for physicians or hospital services for equivalent care.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies app-based delivery workers (like food or package couriers for companies such as DoorDash) as employees for wage purposes, requiring delivery network companies to pay them at least the state minimum wage for all "working time" (including both assigned delivery tasks and standby time). Companies must calculate wages to ensure workers earn the minimum wage on average for their first 40 hours per week, with an option to pay 150% of minimum wage for assigned time only if workers control their schedule. The bill mandates detailed payroll reporting for companies, including breakdowns of assigned time, standby time, and wages, and requires quarterly publication of aggregated data on pay and hours. It directly affects app-based delivery workers and the companies that employ them across Massachusetts.

Maddy summarySD 2661 authorizes the city of Somerville to regulate rents in most residential units, setting an annual rent increase cap of 5% (based on the previous year's inflation rate plus 2%). It requires landlords to have "just cause" for evictions, listing specific valid reasons like non-payment or property conversion, and allows the city to mandate relocation payments for certain evictions. The law excludes small owner-occupied homes (3 or fewer units), new construction (within 15 years), certain subsidized housing, and other specific unit types from regulation. This directly affects renters and landlords in Somerville's regulated housing market, excluding the exempt categories listed in the bill.

Maddy summaryH 4912 proposes creating the Accessibility in the Creative Economy (ACE) grant program, which would establish a dedicated fund administered by the Office on Disability. The program would provide financial support to for-profit, non-profit, and public arts, humanities, and interpretive science organizations across Massachusetts to make physical and programmatic improvements - such as installing ramps, assistive listening systems, or accessibility training - to remove barriers for people with disabilities. A new ACE Commission, requiring majority representation from people with disabilities, would set grant criteria, prioritize racial and geographic diversity, and oversee funding distribution on a competitive basis. The bill is pending in committee and would require the Office on Disability to report annually on fund usage and grant recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per 30-day supply for all patients, regardless of insulin type or quantity needed. It directly affects insulin users, drug manufacturers, and insurers by requiring them to limit patient costs. Drug companies must offer free 30-day insulin supplies to eligible individuals urgently needing insulin (with less than a 7-day supply) who meet income limits (≤400% federal poverty level) and lack private drug coverage. The law also mandates manufacturers to establish accessible application processes for this assistance program within 14 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover pain management options during IUD insertions without cost-sharing. It applies to state employee health plans, Medicaid, private accident/sickness insurance, and hospital service plans, covering methods like IV sedation, oral sedation, or topical anesthesia as prescribed by a provider. The law prohibits deductibles, copays, or cost-sharing for these services and ensures coverage extends to spouses and dependents. Religious employers may opt out but must notify enrollees about excluded contraceptive services.

Maddy summaryHD 2465 requires Massachusetts state prisons and county facilities to provide incarcerated people with at least eight hours of daily "out of cell" time for social interaction and activities, including at least six hours weekly of group programming like education and vocational training (with three hours eligible for good conduct credits). It mandates personalized rehabilitation plans for each person, involving input from staff and the individual, and requires facilities to send parole-eligible plans to the parole board for review. The bill also sets minimum standards for access to medical care, outdoor recreation, libraries, and facilities conditions (like temperature and water quality), and requires annual data collection on programming access and outcomes, reported by race, gender, and other demographics. This law directly affects all individuals held in Massachusetts correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHD 3241 requires Massachusetts state and county correctional facilities to maximize in-person visitation for incarcerated individuals by mandating specific schedules: at least two daily visiting periods (one at least four hours long), an eight-hour weekend visit, and a four-hour holiday visit. It prohibits facilities from limiting visitor numbers, excluding visitors based on criminal history, community involvement, or religious practices, or restricting physical contact like hugging during visits. The bill also mandates accommodations for children (with designated areas and activities), reasonable dress code policies respecting cultural/religious needs, and written justifications with appeal options for any visitation restrictions. Facilities must ensure visitation does not decrease below 2025 baseline levels and must exhaust all means to meet the schedule.