Rep. Tackey Chan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies in Massachusetts to pay the same rate for nutrition counseling delivered via telehealth as they do for in-person visits. It specifically applies to licensed dietitians and nutritionists providing services such as medical nutrition therapy through video calls or phone calls. By mandating this payment parity, the legislation ensures that patients have equal financial access to remote nutrition care compared to traditional face-to-face appointments. The law updates existing state regulations to include nutrition counseling alongside behavioral health services under these parity rules.

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 requires anyone running for state, county, or municipal office in Massachusetts to submit a sworn affidavit confirming they meet all residency requirements by the deadline for filing nomination papers. It establishes a formal process where individuals can challenge a candidate's residency in writing with the appropriate election official, provided the challenge is filed at least 10 days before the candidate can withdraw. Upon receiving a challenge, the official must request proof of residency from the candidate and issue a written decision within five days, withdrawing the nomination if the challenge is upheld. Additionally, the Secretary of State is tasked with creating specific rules regarding the affidavit format, the documentation needed to prove residency, and the procedures for handling these challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain Massachusetts state employees to collectively solicit political contributions from their coworkers for a specific type of political committee. It directly affects public sector workers by permitting them to organize a committee led by their exclusive representative, such as a union, to raise funds for political purposes. The key provision amends existing election laws to explicitly authorize soliciting money from fellow employees for this committee, provided the goal is to improve the workers' terms and conditions of employment. This change enables a new method for public employees to engage in the political process through collective fundraising rather than relying solely on individual contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to help community health centers in Massachusetts recruit and keep primary care doctors, mental health professionals, and other essential staff. To qualify for financial assistance, eligible workers must have student loans, commit to working at a community health center for at least four years, and not be enrolled in other loan repayment programs. The program prioritizes hiring a diverse workforce and will be managed by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services using existing state funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to ban the sale of new fur products within Massachusetts, affecting retailers, sellers, and anyone distributing items made from animal skins with hair or fur attached. The law defines "fur products" broadly to include clothing, accessories, and home décor, while explicitly excluding items like leather, sheepskin, and taxidermy mounts. A key provision allows for the continued sale of used fur products and permits non-profit organizations to sell such items, creating a specific exemption for charitable groups. Violations of the ban could result in penalties, though the text provided cuts off before detailing the specific fines or legal consequences.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law regarding the costs and terminology for obtaining transcripts of court proceedings. It changes the term "stenographer" to "transcriber" and allows parties to request either written notes or audio recordings instead of just handwritten notes. The legislation also adjusts specific fees, such as increasing the cost for additional copies and rush delivery, while removing references to "additional paper" and "at the same time." These changes aim to modernize the rules for accessing legal records and reflect current pricing for these services.

By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tackey Chan and Michael D. Brady relative to dental hygienist reciprocal licensure. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how court transcribers charge for copies of trial notes and audio recordings. It sets specific fees for standard, rush, and electronic copies, while also establishing a lower rate for indigent individuals or their legal representatives. The legislation clarifies that when a judge or prosecutor orders a transcript, the court's administrative office will pay for it. Additionally, it requires that any police statements transcribed by a judge be shared with all parties involved in the case.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape cases indefinitely if DNA evidence matches the suspect. It directly affects victims of rape who may wish to pursue legal action years after the crime occurred, even if the standard 15-year time limit has passed. The key mechanism requires that a DNA match between the victim and the accused must be established before the prosecution timeline is removed. This change aims to provide more opportunities for justice in cases where DNA evidence becomes available long after the incident.