Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3540, "Martha's Bill") requires all health insurance plans in Massachusetts - covering state employees, private insurers, and health maintenance organizations - to fully cover colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45, with no out-of-pocket costs. It mandates coverage for multiple screening methods (including colonoscopy, FIT tests, and CT colonography) as recommended by a doctor, eliminating co-pays, deductibles, or other cost-sharing. The policy directly affects all insured Massachusetts residents aged 45 and older, ensuring access to preventive care without financial barriers. Key provisions specify that screenings and associated services (like lab work or polyp removal) must be covered in full, with no additional charges.
Rep. Colleen Garry
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHD 2560 requires most health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover hearing aids and related services. It directly affects Commonwealth employees and retirees, their children under 26 (or with disabilities), Medicaid beneficiaries, and all insured individuals under group or individual health plans. The bill mandates coverage for hearing aid exams, fittings, adjustments, and supplies (like ear molds) without requiring a prescription for those 18 or older, and prohibits stricter cost-sharing than other health benefits. This applies to group insurance, Medicaid, accident/sickness policies, and hospital service plans, ensuring consistent access to hearing aid coverage across multiple insurance types.
Maddy summaryHD 300 establishes a 30-minute limit on idling for locomotive train engines. It directly affects train operators and rail companies by requiring them to stop engines after 30 minutes of idling. The bill mandates the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to investigate reported violations, conduct emission tests for specific pollutants (CO2, NOx, CO, SO2), and impose fines of at least $5,000 per violation if emissions exceed standards set for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) trains. This policy change enforces concrete emission controls on train idling through investigation and financial penalties.
By Representative Rogers of Norwood and Senator Rush, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John H. Rogers and others that the commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance be authorized to take by eminent domain a certain parcel of land in the town of Norwood. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to improve transition planning for youth with disabilities as they leave high school or turn 22. It requires the Transitional Advisory Committee to submit annual county-level reports tracking youth needing habilitative services, residential placement, or agency support. A new commission, including youth/family members and agency representatives, must develop a comprehensive plan within one year addressing communication gaps, service awareness, residential placement delays, and geographic equity in services. The plan will focus on ensuring smoother transitions to adult services for over 22,000 Massachusetts youth annually who lose special education eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 4055) is a symbolic resolution designating April 25th of each year as "Parental Alienation Awareness Day" in Massachusetts. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes parental alienation - a pattern where one parent manipulates a child to reject the other - as a form of emotional harm affecting children. The resolution urges Massachusetts residents to help raise awareness about this issue, which involves behaviors like badmouthing a parent or limiting contact, potentially causing long-term harm to children. It applies broadly to all residents and focuses solely on increasing public awareness, not on changing legal procedures or providing services.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3567) changes access to existing Brownsfields Assessment and Remediation Funds. It allows any community to receive these funds for cleaning up contaminated properties (brownfields) without requiring participation from their Regional Planning Organization. The key change removes a prior barrier, making the funds more accessible to communities seeking to remediate polluted sites. This directly affects local governments and community groups working on brownfield cleanup projects.
Maddy summaryHD 688 creates a task force to study how to fund assistance for homeowners struggling with crumbling foundations. The task force will examine costs of materials, geographic hotspots, inspection expenses, existing state funding models, and administrative costs. It must include housing officials, insurance representatives, property managers, and housing authority members, and submit recommendations by July 31, 2027. This bill directly affects homeowners in areas with foundation issues and aims to identify a sustainable funding source through a formal study process.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires that any planned commuter rail expansion must first obtain approval from the governing bodies (like town councils or city councils) of the communities the rail line would travel through. It directly affects local municipalities along rail routes and state transportation authorities responsible for planning expansions. The key provision amends state law to mandate this community approval step before expansion planning can proceed. This is a procedural requirement focused on local input, not funding or specific infrastructure changes.
Maddy summaryThis bill regulates the sale of kratom products by requiring retailers to provide clear labels listing ingredients, manufacturer details, and safe usage instructions. It bans selling kratom mixed with harmful substances (like controlled drugs), products containing more than 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine, or synthetic kratom compounds. Retailers face fines up to $5,000 for violations, including $1,000 for selling to anyone under 21. The law applies to businesses selling kratom as food, supplements, or beverages but does not ban kratom itself.