Rep. Christine Barber

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules banning public schools from using Native American names, logos, or mascots for their athletic teams. It mandates that schools currently using such imagery must select new alternatives by a specific deadline set by the state board. The legislation allows schools to keep existing uniforms and materials that feature the prohibited names only if they have already chosen a replacement and stop buying new items with the old imagery. Additionally, any new signs or fixtures displaying the banned names must be removed, while those on existing facilities can remain until the next scheduled maintenance or replacement.

By Representatives O'Day of West Boylston and Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2246) of James J. O'Day, Edward R. Philips and others for legislation to authorize attending physicians to prescribe medical aid in dying medication that will end the life of patients in a peaceful manner. Public Health.

By Representative Hogan of Stow and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2197) of Kate Hogan, Julian Cyr and others for legislation to protect public health from PFAS. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to remove barriers for physician assistants in Massachusetts by changing how their supervision and legal responsibility are defined. It eliminates the requirement for a supervising physician to be personally present during patient care and shifts legal liability from the supervising doctor to the individual physician assistant or the healthcare facility they work for. Additionally, the legislation mandates that physician assistants complete at least 2,000 hours of collaborative practice in a hospital or integrated clinical setting before applying for licensure. While maintaining the rule that they cannot practice independently, the bill allows physician assistants to bill separately for the services they provide.

By Representative Sabadosa of Northampton and Senator Mark, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2264) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Paul W. Mark and others that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services establish a grant program to increase the availability of non-law-enforcement, unarmed community-based response options for emergency calls. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund called the Massachusetts Fund for Vulnerable Countries Most Affected by Climate Change to support international climate adaptation efforts. It allows individual Massachusetts taxpayers to voluntarily direct all or part of their state tax refunds into this fund when filing their personal income tax returns. The money collected is intended to be transferred to the United Nations Least Developed Countries Fund or designated non-profit organizations that support the same mission. By adding this option to state tax forms, the legislation gives residents a direct way to contribute to global climate change initiatives through their existing tax payment process.

Senate, March 14, 2024 -- Text of the Senate Bill ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development (Senate, No. 2707) (being the text of Senate, No. 2697, printed as amended)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a student loan repayment program designed to support human services workers in Massachusetts. It directly affects employees of community-based organizations that receive funding from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The legislation creates a new section in state law to define eligible providers and set up the framework for offering loan repayments to encourage individuals to enter and remain in the human services field. By providing financial assistance for student loans, the bill aims to address workforce stability and recruitment challenges within these essential community programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to make child support enforcement more family-centered by clarifying when parents can avoid penalties for not cooperating with support agencies. It specifically allows individuals receiving public assistance to refuse paternity establishment or support orders if there is a risk of physical or emotional harm, the child was conceived through rape or incest, or cooperation would discourage other relatives from maintaining a relationship with the child. Additionally, the bill ensures that the first $500 of monthly child support collected for a family is excluded from income calculations when determining benefit eligibility. Finally, it restricts the state's child support agency from providing paternity services in cases where the individual is not legally required to cooperate.