Rep. Steve Ultrino

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to extend certain benefits and protections to employees of counties, cities, and towns who are also armed service members. By modifying Section 59 of Chapter 33, the legislation ensures that these individuals are covered under the same provisions previously available to other employees. The change removes a specific subsection and replaces it with language that explicitly includes county, city, and town staff in the scope of these protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve access to biomarker testing for cancer patients in Massachusetts to help them receive the most appropriate therapy. It requires health insurers to cover the cost of these specific tests without imposing additional restrictions or requiring prior authorization beyond what is already standard for other medical services. The legislation directly affects cancer patients, their families, and health insurance providers by ensuring that necessary diagnostic tools are financially accessible. By removing barriers to testing, the bill seeks to facilitate better treatment decisions based on individual patient biology.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee and regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including licensed midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of who can prescribe medication to include licensed midwives and establishes a program for postpartum depression screenings for state employees. It also updates various state laws to formally recognize and define the roles of certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives across different departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops in Massachusetts. It achieves this by amending state laws to ban licensed pet shops from selling or offering these specific animals for adoption. The legislation directly affects businesses that operate as new pet shops and would prevent them from acting as sources for these pets. By restricting sales in this manner, the bill aims to reduce the number of animals sold in commercial settings.

Senate, 13, 2024 -- The committee on Environment and Natural Resources, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 549) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Adam Scanlon, Jack Patrick Lewis, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 550) of Patrick M. O'Connor, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., Steven S. Howitt, John F. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet shops; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 826) of Natalie M. Higgins, Kimberly N. Ferguson and others for legislation to further regulate the retail sale of certain domestic animals in new pet shops, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2820).

By Representatives Barber of Somerville and Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2708) of Christine P. Barber, Erika Uyterhoeven and others relative to further regulating the inclusion of federal gross income in the calculation of the taxation of corporations and to create progressive revenue. Revenue.

By Representative Ultrino of Malden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3118) of Steven Ultrino and others for legislation to establish an office of economic empowerment within the office of the State Treasurer. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

By Representatives Ultrino of Malden and Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3117) of Steven Ultrino, Carmine Lawrence Gentile and others for legislation to further regulate public procurement. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Workforce Skills Cabinet within the Governor's office to coordinate state efforts on workforce development and college readiness. The Cabinet will include representatives from key agencies, business leaders, labor organizations, and community stakeholders who will meet monthly to align policies and strategies across the state. Its main duties involve creating joint plans for workforce training, conducting biennial studies on program equity, releasing annual reports on labor market needs, and improving data sharing between agencies. Additionally, the Cabinet will advise education departments on the employability skills students need to succeed in their careers.