Rep. Carol Doherty

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Behavioral Health Workforce Center of Excellence at a public college to address shortages in mental health and addiction treatment professionals across Massachusetts. The center will gather data, research training needs, and map career paths by consulting with higher education institutions and various state agencies. It will also analyze workforce demographics, inventory available licenses, and examine funding opportunities to improve recruitment and retention. An advisory committee comprising representatives from health departments, insurers, and advocacy groups will guide the center's work. Ultimately, the center aims to provide policy leaders with evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the behavioral health workforce pipeline.

By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3360) of Kay Khan and others that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles provide identification to youth and adults experiencing homelessness. Transportation.

By Representatives Gentile of Sudbury and Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by resolutions, House, No. 3502) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile, David T. Vieira and others for the adoption of resolutions memorializing the Congress of the United States to call for a convention to propose amendments in order to address concerns about the integrity of our elections and the ability of the people to participate in effective self-government. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It directly affects any individual or company attempting to conduct oil or gas extraction using this method or to manage the associated wastewater and drill cuttings. The legislation achieves this by adding specific definitions for fracking and related fluids to existing environmental laws and explicitly banning the drilling process and the collection, storage, treatment, or disposal of fracking byproducts. By amending the state's General Laws, the bill ensures that no fracking activities can legally occur in the region.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a statewide Flood Risk Protection Program in Massachusetts to address climate change impacts like sea level rise and flooding. The program uses funds from a dedicated trust to voluntarily purchase properties that are currently or projected to be repeatedly damaged by floods, with the goal of restoring wetlands and creating open space. At least 75% of the funds must go to low-income homeowners or those living in environmental justice communities, and the acquired land must be kept as open space in perpetuity with strict limits on building new permanent structures. The program operates on a voluntary basis, ensuring properties are bought only from willing sellers at fair market value.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to create rules that make fuel producers, importers, and distributors report their sales and the origins of the fuels they sell. Under these rules, the department must calculate and track the greenhouse gas emissions and carbon intensity of each fuel type on an annual basis. The department is also required to publish all collected data in a public report every year. Regulations under this act must be finalized within 180 days of the bill's passage and must take effect within 180 days of being finalized.

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.