Rep. Mindy Domb

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including experienced midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the state's allied health professions board to include lactation consultants and updates various laws to formally recognize certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives in official definitions and hospital settings. The bill also mandates that the insurance commission cover postpartum depression screenings for state employees and allows coverage for medically necessary donor human milk for infants at high risk of certain conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require courts to consider whether individuals on probation for drug or alcohol use disorders need treatment instead of facing imprisonment. It mandates that if a person has such a disorder, they must be ordered to follow an evidence-based treatment plan rather than being subjected to additional drug testing that conflicts with their recovery. The legislation also clarifies that a positive test result or signs of relapse will not be treated as a probation violation if the person is actively engaged in treatment or transitioning between programs.

Senate, August 8, 2024 -- The committee on The Judiciary, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 982) of Cindy F. Friedman, Michael J. Barrett, Joanne M. Comerford, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to treatment, not imprisonment; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1391) of Ruth B. Balser and others relative to court considerations of persons having alcohol or substance use disorders and needing treatment, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2927).

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the Senate amendment of the House Bill to ensure legal parentage equality (House, No. 4750), reports recommending passage of the accompanying bill (House, No. 4970).

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages food donations in Massachusetts by offering legal protections and tax incentives to donors. It removes liability for civil damages related to food conditions for individuals and food establishments that donate open-dated or expired food to nonprofit organizations, provided the food was not misbranded, adulterated, or mishandled and the donor did not act with gross negligence. Additionally, the bill creates a tax credit for farming businesses and restaurants that donate their crops or prepared meals to qualified nonprofit food distribution organizations, capping the credit at $5,000 annually. These changes aim to make it safer and more financially beneficial for businesses and individuals to donate surplus food to those in need.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend Massachusetts law to ensure that the state minimum wage applies to both public and private employers. The key provision explicitly states that the minimum wage rules override any conflicting state laws, such as those regarding tipped minimum wages. By removing the word "It" and adding "public or private," the legislation aims to create a uniform minimum wage standard across all workplaces in the state. This change would directly affect all employees in Massachusetts, regardless of whether they work for the government or a private company.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect individuals and food establishments from civil lawsuits when they donate food, including items that have passed their expiration dates, to nonprofit organizations or other recipients. The protections apply as long as the donated food is not misbranded or adulterated and was handled in compliance with public health regulations, while also excluding cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the donor. By removing liability for injuries caused by the condition of such donated food, the legislation aims to encourage more people and businesses to contribute surplus food to those in need without fear of legal repercussions.

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages food donations by offering a tax credit of up to $25,000 annually to businesses that donate food to nonprofit organizations serving people in need. It also provides legal protections for donors and nonprofits by shielding them from civil liability if donated food causes injury, even if the food is past its expiration date, provided it was not handled with gross negligence. To claim the tax credit, businesses must submit a certification from the receiving nonprofit confirming the food was distributed without charge or only to cover handling costs. The legislation applies to farms, restaurants, and grocery stores within the state and requires that all donations comply with existing health and safety regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to stop wage theft and hold employers accountable by strengthening how the state enforces labor laws. It creates a new public enforcement unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate unpaid wages and other violations. The legislation also expands the types of penalties available to punish companies that fail to pay workers correctly. These changes directly affect employees who may have been underpaid and the businesses that employ them.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes banning the sale of cell phone location information to protect reproductive health access, LGBTQ individuals, religious liberty, and freedom of movement. It directly affects telecommunications companies and data brokers by restricting their ability to sell precise location data to third parties. The legislation aims to prevent the misuse of location tracking that could expose individuals to discrimination or surveillance in sensitive situations.