Rep. Susannah Whipps

Senate, February 29, 2024 --The committee on Elder Affairs, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 381) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jack Patrick Lewis, Susannah M. Whipps and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish an LGBTQI long-term care facility bill of rights; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 637) of Jack Patrick Lewis, Sarah K. Peake and others relative to the right, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2604).

Senate, December 21, 2023 -- The committee on Elder Affairs, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 372) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to direct the administration to amend the frail elder home and community-based waiver to permit eligible older adults to choose to reside in certified assisted living residences; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 374) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Thomas M. Stanley, Jason M. Lewis, Susannah M. Whipps and others for legislation to authorize common sense health services in assisted living; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3927) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian relative to assisted living facilities, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2527).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to explicitly include licensed private detectives and investigators when defining who is prohibited from accessing certain state records. It specifically bans these professionals from using motor vehicle registrar data or facial recognition systems for any purpose that conflicts with their professional licensing rules. The legislation also mandates that the licenses of any private investigators caught violating these new prohibitions will be immediately revoked.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires covered employers in Massachusetts to submit detailed wage data reports alongside their existing annual reports to the state secretary. The state secretary will then compile this information and publish aggregate wage statistics on the executive office of labor and workforce development website, organized by industry and released annually by June 1. While the bill mandates the collection and public release of these aggregate statistics, it explicitly excludes the individual wage data reports from being considered public records, thereby protecting specific employer information from public disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to dispense up to a 30-day supply of insulin without a doctor's immediate authorization during emergency situations where a patient cannot quickly reach their provider. The law defines an emergency as a time when obtaining standard authorization is not readily available and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if the medication is essential to prevent harm. To prevent abuse, the bill restricts pharmacists from providing this emergency supply to the same patient more than once within any six-month period. Additionally, the legislation updates several state laws to explicitly include insulin as an item that can be dispensed under these emergency conditions.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill aims to remove financial and administrative obstacles for people accessing HIV prevention medication. It requires health insurance plans covering these drugs to eliminate all cost-sharing fees, such as co-pays and deductibles, and to stop requiring prior authorization or step therapy that could delay treatment. The law also mandates that necessary support services, like regular check-ups and counseling, be included in the coverage without extra charges. By streamlining access, the legislation seeks to ensure that individuals can obtain and maintain HIV prevention drugs without facing financial barriers or administrative hurdles.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require the state's Division of Developmental Services to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21 and older with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder. The legislation specifically mandates coverage for applied behavior analysis and various augmentative and alternative communication devices, such as tablets, when deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. By expanding these insurance benefits, the bill aims to ensure that individuals with these conditions have access to essential care that helps develop, maintain, or restore their functioning.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing a livable wage specifically for human services workers in Massachusetts. It directly affects employees of community-based organizations that receive funding from state agencies such as the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, or the Department of Housing and Community Development. The legislation defines these workers as staff who provide treatment, support, or services to clients and their families, while defining the organizations as those with funded human services programs. By amending Chapter 6A of the General Laws, the bill creates a formal framework to ensure these essential workers are paid a wage deemed sufficient to meet basic living needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts election laws to replace the term "Unenrolled" with "Independent" when referring to candidates who are not affiliated with a political party. It also clarifies that the word "Independent" cannot be used as a party designation for voter registration or ballot access, reserving that label specifically for individuals who choose not to enroll with any party. The legislation amends state statutes to ensure consistency in terminology across ballot listings and voter enrollment records while maintaining existing rules about party affiliation and ballot access.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Deer Population Control Commission to study ways of managing deer numbers in eight specific Massachusetts counties. The commission will consist of eight members appointed by various government officials and industry representatives, including hunters and insurance brokers. Its main task is to identify effective methods for controlling deer populations and helping farmers reduce property damage, with a deadline to submit findings and draft laws by March 1, 2024.