Rep. Mike Kushmerek

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a year-round healthy incentives program in Massachusetts for SNAP (food assistance) recipients. It provides matching benefits on EBT cards when recipients buy fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. The program prioritizes expanding access in underserved areas with limited produce availability and requires collaboration with local food coalitions for outreach. A dedicated "Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund" will manage program funding from state and federal sources, and the department must submit annual reports tracking participant demographics, vendor locations, and efforts to improve access in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHD 2205 establishes a pilot program providing diapers to low-income families with infants and young children through a new diaper benefits trust fund managed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The fund will receive state appropriations and private donations (without restrictions) to support up to 12 nonprofit organizations - such as diaper banks or food pantries - across Massachusetts' regions, with no more than two organizations per region selected based on demonstrated need. Organizations can use funds for purchasing, storing, distributing diapers, or running diaper drives. After one year, the Department must report to lawmakers on participation numbers, regional distribution, fund usage, and whether the program should expand.

By Representative Domb of Amherst, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 223) of Mindy Domb relative to a livable wage for human services workers. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryHD 1043 establishes Massachusetts' Farm to School Program to connect schools with local food producers. It directly affects K-12 schools and licensed childcare programs participating in federal meal programs (National School Lunch Program or Child and Adult Care Feeding Program) across Massachusetts. The bill creates two key mechanisms: (1) a grant program funding kitchen equipment, staff training, and food literacy curriculum, and (2) a reimbursement incentive that pays schools $1 for every $2 spent on Massachusetts-grown food or $1 for every $3 on New England/New York regional food. The program also sets up an advisory committee and a dedicated fund to manage grants and ensure equitable access for schools and socially disadvantaged producers.

Maddy summaryHD 1353 increases monthly benefits for low-income households receiving state assistance programs. It mandates a 20% annual benefit increase starting July 1, 2025, until payments reach 50% of the federal poverty level for each household size. Once this target is met, benefits will automatically adjust each July to maintain at least 50% of the federal poverty level. The bill also includes adjustments for clothing allowances and rental costs for eligible households. This directly affects low-income families relying on these state assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHD 2507 requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover at least six sessions of preventive behavioral health services for children under 21 who screen positive for emotional concerns like anxiety or depression, or for infants whose caregivers screen positive for postpartum depression. These services - such as short-term group, individual, or family counseling to build coping skills - must be covered without prior authorization or patient cost-sharing, except for tax-exempt plans that would lose status. The bill applies to all state employee plans, individual/group health insurance policies, and medical service agreements, mandating insurers to accept Social Determinants of Health Z-codes for billing these preventive services. It directly affects children, adolescents, and their caregivers by ensuring accessible, low-barrier mental wellness support before conditions escalate.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines specific mental health treatment services and mandates coverage without preauthorization for two groups. It applies to Massachusetts Commonwealth employees (active/retired) covered under group insurance and Medicaid recipients. The bill requires coverage for: mental health acute treatment (24-hour inpatient care), crisis stabilization services (up to 14 days), community-based acute treatment (CBAT, up to 21 days for youth), and intensive community-based acute treatment (ICBAT, up to 14 days for youth). Facilities must notify insurers within 48 hours of admission, and medical necessity must be determined by the treating clinician with patient input - no preauthorization is required, though limited utilization reviews may begin after specified days (e.g., day 7 for crisis services).

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 1468) allows school nurses employed in Department of Education-approved schools to count prior nursing work experience toward their retirement credit if they are already in a teacher's, municipal, or state retirement system. To qualify, nurses must pay 10% of their annual salary for each year of service plus interest (paid in a lump sum or installments), after completing 10 years in the retirement system, with a maximum of three years of creditable service allowed. Nurses must apply within 90 days of being notified of eligibility by the retirement board.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $30 million annually to continue Massachusetts' endowment match program for public higher education. It directly affects the University of Massachusetts, state universities, and community colleges by mandating specific funding splits: $10 million each for UMass, state universities, and community colleges. Unused funds from community colleges automatically transfer to state universities, and unused state university funds transfer to UMass. The program requires the Board of Higher Education to ensure all institutions can access matching funds, aiming to boost private fundraising for endowments and capital projects. The bill removes appropriation limitations, guaranteeing the full $30 million is spent on this purpose.

Maddy summaryHD 2575 establishes the Massachusetts-Poland Trade Commission within the state's international trade office to strengthen economic ties between Massachusetts and Poland. The commission, composed of 21 appointed members including state legislators, economic development officials, Polish-American representatives, and a Polish consul, will study trade opportunities, promote business/academic exchanges, and recommend policies. It must annually report findings and legislative recommendations to the governor, legislature, and economic development secretary by August 31. The bill directly affects Massachusetts government operations and Polish-American business communities by creating a formal mechanism to advance bilateral economic cooperation.