Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for paid caregiving under MassHealth's home and community-based services program. It directly affects legally liable family members (including parents, guardians, adult children, and others with legal responsibility) who currently may be excluded from being paid caregivers. The key provision amends the law to explicitly include these individuals within the definition of "family member" for payment purposes, removing barriers imposed by existing statutes. MassHealth must then file a required state plan amendment or waiver to implement this change. The policy change modifies program eligibility rules without altering funding or creating new services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded pilot program to help people with Long COVID access better healthcare in Massachusetts. It requires the health department to develop a "patient navigation" service that connects patients with medical specialists, social support (like transportation or housing help), and resources to address daily challenges. The program must reduce barriers to care, study related conditions (such as ME/CFS or heart disease), and include input from Long COVID patients through a consumer advisory board. The department must report on the pilot's progress within one year, including participation numbers and recommendations for expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to establish a standardized system for tracking Long COVID (PASC) cases across the state. It mandates creating a surveillance definition aligned with national standards, developing a case report form to collect demographic data (like race, gender identity, and location), symptom details, and associated health conditions (such as heart disease or chronic fatigue), and conducting active surveillance starting six months after enactment. The department must publish annual public reports on Long COVID prevalence and impact, and submit a progress report to lawmakers within one year. This directly affects Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID by enabling a comprehensive understanding of the condition's scope and health system burden.

Maddy summaryHD 2862 establishes a new MassHealth program providing comprehensive health coverage to children and young adults under 21 in Massachusetts who are residents but cannot access standard Medicaid (Title XIX) or CHIP (Title XXI) benefits solely due to immigration status. It directly affects low-income immigrant youth who previously faced coverage barriers based on their immigration status. The bill mandates that benefits under this program be equivalent to those available under federal Medicaid/CHIP for similar income and age groups. Crucially, the program must maximize federal funding, but eligibility and benefits cannot be reduced if federal funds become unavailable.

Maddy summaryHD 3756 (Section 3AA) allows religious organizations (including IRS 501(c)(3) groups or state-recognized religious entities) to build multifamily housing on land they've owned for at least three years without needing special zoning permits or facing unreasonable restrictions. The bill sets density rules: up to 50 units per acre if 20-25% of units are affordable to low/middle-income households (at 60-80% of area median income), with height limits matching existing structures or local zoning. It also exempts qualifying projects from off-street parking requirements if near transit, mandates 15-foot setbacks, and requires compliance with environmental regulations. The law directly affects religious landowners seeking to develop housing, aiming to increase affordable housing options on religious property while maintaining local zoning standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops regulated under 330 CMR 12.00, directly affecting most pet shop operators in Massachusetts. It allows exceptions for pet shops partnering with animal rescues (without owning the animals) and permits existing shops meeting specific conditions - like unchanged ownership and prior sales history - to continue selling these animals. Violations carry civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense and possible license suspension. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not override local town/city regulations on animal sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts broadband providers (wireline, fixed wireless, and satellite) to offer affordable high-speed internet to low-income households. Eligible households must participate in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or have income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or qualify for specific assistance programs. Providers must offer service at a minimum of 100 Mbps download speed for $15/month (including taxes/fees), with limited annual price increases. Providers must also advertise the program, report enrollment and compliance annually to the state, and face penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pension benefit for surviving spouses of Department of Children and Families (DCF) social workers who die while performing their duties. It directly affects DCF social workers who are killed in the line of duty and their surviving spouses. The law requires the Massachusetts State Board of Retirement to establish specific eligibility rules for this pension, effective January 1, 2023. The policy change expands pension eligibility to cover these specific public safety workers who lose their lives on duty.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Group Insurance Commission board's membership requirements by adding a specific position: one member must be from the Massachusetts Organization of State Engineers and Scientists. It directly affects the board's composition and the pool of eligible candidates for that seat. The change is procedural, altering who qualifies for appointment without altering the board's size or operational policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a civil cause of action for individuals who are falsely reported to police based on their protected characteristics (race, gender, religion, disability, etc.). It prohibits intentionally reporting non-emergency incidents without reasonable suspicion of a crime, solely because of bias against a person's protected class. Victims can seek damages or court orders to stop such false reports, even without proving actual harm. The law applies specifically to false reports made due to bias, not to legitimate emergency calls.