By Representatives Decker of Cambridge and Fluker-Reid of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1127) of Marjorie C. Decker, Susannah M. Whipps and others relative to insurance coverage and access to nurse-midwifery services. Financial Services.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts high school students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduation, with limited exemptions for students or families who formally decline (via school-approved forms) or for minors where schools document efforts to assist. It mandates schools to provide support for FAFSA completion and establishes a dedicated FAFSA Trust Fund to cover implementation costs, including training, workshops, and community partnerships - prioritizing underserved districts. Schools must annually report FAFSA submission rates and exemptions broken down by demographics like race and location. The law takes effect for the fund in 2025 and for student requirements in 2026.
Maddy summaryH 4408 establishes a state grant program to address student food insecurity at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. The bill creates a "Hunger-Free Campus Trust Fund" to provide grants to eligible institutions - including minority-serving colleges and municipally administered schools - to support on-campus food assistance programs. Participating schools must meet specific requirements, such as designating staff to connect students with federal food aid, accepting nutrition benefits at campus vendors, and implementing meal-sharing initiatives. The program requires annual reporting on grant usage, campus activities, and student outcomes to track progress toward reducing food insecurity among students.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Massachusetts public and private degree-granting colleges and universities from considering applicants' family ties to alumni or donors during admissions decisions. It also bans institutions from disclosing relatives' educational history or donation records in application materials. The bill requires the state department of higher education to study how binding early decision policies impact student diversity - including economic status, racial/ethnic representation, and first-generation students - and report findings within one year. These changes will take effect for admissions leading to the 2026-2027 school year.
Maddy summaryHD 2335 requires health insurers and Medicaid plans in Massachusetts to cover biomarker testing for patients when the test is supported by medical evidence, such as FDA approvals, CMS guidelines, or nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. It directly affects patients needing personalized treatment (e.g., cancer care) and insurers, mandating coverage for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases. Key provisions include strict timelines for prior authorization decisions (72 hours standard, 24 hours in emergencies), limits on requiring multiple biopsies, and clear processes for patients to appeal coverage denials. The bill ensures access to evidence-based testing without unnecessary delays or disruptions in care.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits educational technology operators from using student or educator data for targeted advertising, building profiles for non-educational purposes, or selling personal information. It directly affects companies providing online tools used in K-12 schools (like apps or websites), requiring them to stop collecting and misusing data such as location, biometrics, grades, or online behavior linked to specific students or teachers. Key provisions define "covered information" broadly - including names, addresses, health records, search history, and persistent tracking identifiers - and ban the sale of this data or its use for advertising based on students' online activity. The law applies to all K-12 school-related digital tools, ensuring data collected for educational purposes cannot be repurposed for commercial gain.
By Representatives Zlotnik of Gardner and Ferguson of Holden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 478) of Jonathan D. Zlotnik, Kimberly N. Ferguson and others relative to the sale of malt beverages produced by a pub brewery. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
Maddy summaryH 4405 limits how companies providing educational apps or services to schools can handle student and educator data. It prohibits operators from using covered information (like names, locations, health records, or biometric data) for targeted advertising, building profiles beyond school activities, or selling student data. The law also requires data to be de-identified or aggregated in ways that prevent individual identification. This directly affects school districts, K-12 schools, and technology companies offering educational tools used in classrooms or school administration.
Maddy summaryH 4373 creates a tax credit for Massachusetts food businesses (like restaurants, farms, and grocery stores) that donate food to qualified nonprofits serving the needy. Donors can claim a credit equal to the fair market value of donated food (up to $25,000 annually), provided the nonprofit distributes it free or at cost with proper certification. The bill also provides legal liability protection for donors and distributors of donated food (including expired items), shielding them from civil damages unless the food was misbranded, handled negligently, or violated health regulations. It excludes alcohol, marijuana, and dietary supplements from coverage. This law directly affects food businesses, nonprofits, and food distribution programs across Massachusetts.
By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 904) of Natalie M. Blais, Joanne M. Comerford and Mindy Domb relative to solar and battery decommissioning and recycling. Environment and Natural Resources.
