Rep. Susannah Whipps

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a financial incentive program to encourage more MassHealth dental providers to treat patients in specific underserved areas of Massachusetts. It directs the state to offer supplemental payments of $31 per patient visit to licensed dentists and hygienists who treat at least ten additional MassHealth beneficiaries in a year compared to the previous year. These payments are restricted to providers operating in twenty designated municipalities identified as having high enrollment and low dental service usage. The legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules defining eligible locations and to review the payment rate annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority to run a five-year pilot program that expands health insurance subsidies to individuals earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level. Under the plan, people with incomes between 300 and 500 percent of the poverty line would be eligible for coverage plans that meet at least 90 percent of actuarial value, while those below 300 percent would continue to receive existing assistance. The program would be funded using money from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund and is scheduled to run from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2028. An independent evaluation will track the program's effects on medical access, costs, and health equity, with results reported to state officials in 2026 and 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve access to telehealth services and address digital inequality for patients in Massachusetts. It requires state agencies to link the application process for affordable internet programs with the portal used to apply for other health benefits, helping those who need reliable internet to use telehealth. Additionally, the bill restricts insurance companies from requiring prior authorization for telehealth visits if they do not require it for in-person appointments and mandates that telehealth coverage includes reimbursement for interpreter services for patients with limited English proficiency or hearing impairments.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new chapter in Massachusetts law to update how the state manages funding and fees related to digital infrastructure and streaming services. It establishes a policy framework that allows the state to assess fees from companies providing streaming entertainment based on their gross revenues generated within the Commonwealth. The legislation also sets guidelines for how local governments can regulate the use of public spaces for these services while encouraging diverse content and fair competition. Additionally, it creates specific processes for the Department of Revenue to collect unpaid fees and fines from operators that do not comply with the new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to protect homeowners in Massachusetts from unfair practices by local tax lien collectors. It establishes a fixed $30 fee for municipalities to record tax lien documents and requires that the sale of tax receivables be conducted through a public bidding process that evaluates offerors based on price, experience, and licensing status. Additionally, the legislation mandates that buyers must notify taxpayers within 12 business days of purchasing a lien, providing clear, multilingual information about the sale, redemption rights, and legal consequences in plain language.

May 9, 2024 -- The committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 34) of Jason M. Lewis, Paul W. Mark, John J. Cronin, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a comprehensive statewide policy concerning streaming entertainment services and the recovery of municipal costs for the management and maintenance of digital infrastructure, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2771).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state agencies to increase funding for human services organizations to close the pay gap between these workers and comparable state employees. The law mandates that the reimbursement gap be reduced by 50% by July 2024, 30% by July 2025, 10% by July 2026, and fully eliminated by July 2027. All additional funds received must be used to raise the salaries of the workers who provide care and support services. The legislation also directs relevant agencies to create a report on improving recruitment and retention for these employees by January 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require the state's medical assistance program to cover specific treatments for adults aged 21 and older with developmental, intellectual, or autism spectrum disorders. The legislation mandates that the program pay for medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative care, including applied behavior analysis and various communication devices like tablets. These services must be deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist and are intended to help individuals develop, maintain, or restore their functioning. The law directly affects the state's healthcare division and the adult population diagnosed with these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to clarify how tow companies can place liens on vehicles. It specifically allows liens to be issued for cars towed from private property or involuntarily transported from accident scenes. The changes update existing statutes to ensure the legal process for collecting unpaid towing fees is clearly defined for private property owners and towing operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to direct specific fines and assessments from DUI-related cases into the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund. It increases the fine for a first-time DUI offense by $50 and raises the assessment fee for convicted or pleaded-guilty individuals from $50 to $100. Additionally, the legislation requires that 75 percent of fines collected in various DUI scenarios be deposited into the trust fund, while the entire $100 assessment fee goes directly to the fund. These changes primarily affect individuals charged with driving under the influence and the state judicial system responsible for collecting those penalties. The funds collected are intended to support services for victims of head injuries.