Rep. Colleen Garry

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants and other establishments that serve beer on the premises to list the alcohol by volume for every beer option on their menus. The law would apply to all licensees in Massachusetts who allow customers to consume beer at their location, ensuring that this specific nutritional information is clearly available to patrons. By adding a new section to the state's alcoholic liquor laws, the measure aims to increase transparency so that consumers can make informed choices about the strength of the beverages they order.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover physical therapy for patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It mandates that insurance policies provide coverage for preventative, ongoing maintenance, and acute treatment when a physician determines the therapy is medically necessary. The legislation also ensures that these treatments cannot be denied simply because they are considered unproven, experimental, or investigational. By amending multiple sections of state law, the bill applies to various types of insurance, including those for state employees, individual plans, and group hospital services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires restaurants and bars in Massachusetts to list the alcohol by volume percentage for every beer option on their menus. It directly affects all licensees who serve alcohol on the premises, such as bars, restaurants, and taverns. The law mandates that this information be clearly displayed alongside beer selections to help consumers make informed choices. This change aims to increase transparency regarding the strength of alcoholic beverages without altering existing sales or licensing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover colorectal cancer screening for all insured individuals starting at age 45. It mandates that these screenings, which include various tests like colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopy, be provided without any co-pays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs. The law applies to employees of the state, private health insurance policies, and hospital service plans, ensuring broad access to early detection services. By removing financial barriers, the legislation aims to facilitate regular screening for colorectal cancer in adults under 50.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail and service businesses in Massachusetts from forcing customers to use electronic payment methods instead of cash. It directly affects any establishment that currently requires a cash deposit into a debit or credit card to complete a purchase. The law mandates that all businesses must accept cash for any transaction, removing the ability to discriminate against buyers who prefer to pay with physical currency. This change ensures that cash remains a valid form of payment across the state without altering other existing financial regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the sale of specific items at flea markets in Massachusetts to protect consumer safety. It directly affects vendors operating at temporary market spaces, banning the sale of infant food, drugs, cosmetics, and any products with expiration dates unless the seller is an authorized manufacturer or distributor representative carrying valid written proof of authorization. The law defines a flea market as a location where space is rented to transient vendors and establishes fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 for each violation, with seized items forfeited to the state Department of Public Health. Additionally, the bill requires law enforcement to keep public records of any violations and penalizes the use of false or fraudulent credentials.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to prohibit businesses from refusing to accept cash payments from customers. The only exception allowed is if the business can demonstrate that a prepaid card with no conversion fee is readily available at the location. This change directly affects merchants and consumers by ensuring cash remains a valid form of payment. The legislation aims to prevent discrimination against buyers who prefer to use physical currency.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require health insurers to pay ambulance service providers directly for emergency services rendered to insured individuals, even when the provider is not part of the insurer's existing network. The legislation mandates that insurers make these payments promptly once an insured person signs an assignment of benefits or is unable to do so due to their condition. By establishing a direct payment pathway, the bill aims to ensure that emergency medical transport providers receive compensation without relying on the insured to pay out-of-pocket first. This change applies to all types of insurance policies covering transportation services within the state, including those held by individuals and organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to establish at least two specialized intensive stabilization and treatment units, one for men and one for women, to serve patients displaying persistently aggressive or violently atypical behavior. These units must be located at a specific central site, kept physically separate from other facilities, and provide comprehensive care including violence assessments, behavioral management, and psychiatric treatment by staff with specialized training. Once a patient's behavior is stabilized, the unit's team is required to create a plan for their safe and timely transfer out of the facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an Educational Mandate Task Force to review state laws and regulations that impose requirements on public schools and districts in Massachusetts. The task force will consist of eleven members, including legislative leaders, the state superintendent of education, and representatives from various school administration associations. Its primary goal is to identify outdated, duplicative, or inconsistent mandates and reporting forms, with a specific aim to streamline these processes and potentially create a single master reporting form. The group must hold at least one public hearing and submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the legislature within 12 months of its first meeting.