Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier

Maddy summaryHD 1177 establishes a special commission to study Massachusetts' micro-transit services. The commission will benchmark different service models, assess funding needs and gaps, define micro-transit for state funding eligibility, and estimate annual funding requirements to address transportation access gaps, especially in rural areas and underserved communities. The 15-member commission includes representatives from transit authorities, advocacy groups, health organizations, rural policy, and local governments, and must submit a final report within 15 months. This bill creates a study body to inform future state funding decisions for micro-transit, not an immediate policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SD 1367) strengthens penalties for sexual assaults by adults in positions of trust involving children. It specifically targets individuals like teachers, coaches, child care providers, foster parents, or family members with custody who commit indecent assault or abuse against children under 18. For children under 14, offenders face life imprisonment or a minimum 10-year sentence with no parole or early release; for children aged 14-17, penalties include up to 10 years in prison. The law explicitly states children under 18 cannot consent and bars defenses claiming the trusted role ended. Prosecutions under this law cannot be dismissed without a finding.

Maddy summaryHD 1552 requires shelters, schools, and correctional facilities to provide free disposable menstrual products (like pads, tampons, and liners) to menstruating individuals without stigma. It applies to temporary housing providers (e.g., domestic violence shelters, emergency hotels), all public primary/secondary schools, and correctional facilities (jails, prisons). The bill mandates these products be available in convenient, non-stigmatizing ways, such as in restrooms. This directly affects menstruating people experiencing homelessness, attending school, or in detention. The law creates a new requirement for these specific institutions to cover the cost of products.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded pilot program to improve healthcare access for Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID. It requires the health department to create a culturally-specific patient navigation program aligned with the National Academies' Long COVID definition, focusing on reducing barriers to treatment and connecting patients to clinical care, specialists, insurance support, and nonmedical services like housing or transportation assistance. The program includes data collection, needs assessments, and navigation for both medical and social needs, with provisions for reimbursement of navigator services. A consumer advisory board of Long COVID patients and healthcare providers must guide the program's development, and the department must report to the legislature within one year on the pilot's results and potential for expansion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to establish a standardized definition for Long COVID (PASC) aligned with national guidelines. It mandates the department to develop a case report form collecting specific patient data - including gender, race, symptoms, infection dates, and diagnosis details - and begin active monitoring of Long COVID cases six months after the law takes effect. The department must publish annual public reports on surveillance findings and submit a detailed progress report to state legislators within one year. This directly affects the state health department's operations and all Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID through the data collection process.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4592) extends the deadline for the House committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity to submit its final report on three specific House documents (numbers 91, 106, and 4229). It grants the committee until Friday, November 14, 2025, to complete this reporting task, overriding the standard House Rule 27 deadline. The bill is purely procedural and does not change any policy or affect constituents. It was adopted on October 8, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates election law to use gender-neutral language throughout Chapter 53 of the General Laws. It replaces gendered terms like "him," "his," "he," "chairman," and "alderman" with neutral alternatives such as "them," "their," "they," "chairperson," and "alderperson." The changes apply specifically to election statutes, including voter registration forms, candidate information, and election official titles. The bill makes no substantive policy changes but ensures the language used in election law is inclusive and non-gendered.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families (DCF) to proactively identify and apply for federal benefits (like Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance) for children in foster care within 60 days of placement, and to annually review eligibility. DCF must act as a representative payee for these benefits when appropriate, maintain detailed financial records, and provide regular updates to the child's legal counsel and parents about benefit status. The bill prohibits using these benefits to reimburse the state for foster care costs and mandates that excess funds be conserved in accounts (like ABLE accounts) that preserve eligibility for ongoing federal benefits. It also requires DCF to provide age-appropriate financial education to youth starting at age 14 to prepare them for managing their benefits independently.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts school districts to be reimbursed for transportation costs when moving foster children to their school of origin (determined to be in the child's best interest). The state's education and children's departments must apply to the federal government for reimbursement under the Every Student Succeeds Act, using a state-certified cost form. If federal funds don't cover all costs, the state department must reimburse the remaining amount directly to the school district. It directly affects school districts providing transportation for foster youth and ensures they aren't left bearing these costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a paint stewardship program requiring paint manufacturers to fund recycling for architectural paint (under 5 gallons) and aerosol coatings. Manufacturers must submit plans to the Department of Environmental Protection detailing collection sites, environmental management practices, consumer education, and a per-container fee added to paint prices. Retailers must display fee information or list approved brands on the department's website, and cannot sell paint without an approved program. The program directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who generate leftover paint, creating a system for free household paint recycling through designated collection sites.