Rep. Mindy Domb

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid to cover doula services for eligible pregnant and postpartum individuals. It defines doula services as non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support provided during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and up to one year after birth or pregnancy loss. The coverage includes continuous labor support, home visits, assistance with appointments, and help connecting families to community resources. By adding this specific provision to Chapter 118E of the General Laws, the legislation ensures that state-funded health care plans include these supportive services for qualifying beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Racially Inclusive Curriculum Trust Fund to support schools in developing and implementing racially inclusive educational materials. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would manage the fund, which can be financed through state appropriations, interest, and private donations, and the money would not be subject to annual budget cuts. The legislation authorizes the department to use these funds for creating curriculum frameworks, providing professional development training for teachers, and issuing grants to public schools and districts. Additionally, the bill establishes a specific grant program that requires applicants to demonstrate how their proposed curriculum can be replicated across other districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the life of the non-emergency human services transportation task force in Massachusetts until December 1, 2026. The task force, which was previously established to study transportation options for people receiving human services, will continue its work during this extended period. By the deadline, the group must submit a final report and any suggested laws to relevant government officials and committees. The bill also allows the task force to share its draft report with the public for feedback before the final submission.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the state office of energy resources to create a program that encourages building solar-powered canopies over large commercial parking lots. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, generate renewable energy, and provide shade and weather protection for vehicles and pedestrians. To support this, the program would offer various incentives such as tax breaks, expedited permitting, and financial payments, alongside setting rules for which parking lots qualify and how much electricity they must produce. The department must form an advisory group with representatives from industries like real estate, labor, and solar energy, hold public hearings, and develop regulations to launch the program within two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a five-year pilot program that offers an alternative path to teacher certification. Instead of requiring all candidates to pass standard state exams, the program would allow individuals to earn preliminary certification based on their teaching experience and student growth scores over four years. The alternative process could also waive one of the two required tests for candidates who have already been certified in another state, shown significant impact on student growth while working outside Massachusetts, or completed a satisfactory portfolio of work. This initiative directly affects aspiring educators by providing a more flexible route to licensure that relies on demonstrated proficiency rather than solely on standardized testing.

By Representative Domb of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2503) of Mindy Domb and others for legislation to require the public pension fund to divest from ammunition and firearms. Public Service.

By Representatives Garballey of Arlington and Cataldo of Concord, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3164) of Sean Garballey, Simon Cataldo and others relative to improving outdoor lighting and increasing dark-sky visibility. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2620) of James J. O'Day and others relative to public higher education collective bargaining funding. Public Service.

By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3144) of Natalie M. Blais and others for legislation to promote solar energy canopies on large parking lots. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.