Rep. Mike Kushmerek

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow great-grandparents to petition the court for visitation rights with their minor grandchildren under specific family circumstances. It applies when the child's parents are divorced, living apart, deceased, or when the child was born out of wedlock with established paternity, provided the parents do not live together. The law requires the court to grant visitation only if it determines the arrangement serves the best interests of the child, while also ensuring that visitation rights end if the child is later adopted by someone other than a stepparent. Additionally, the bill clarifies that maternal great-grandparents do not need to prove paternity to file for visitation and specifies which county court has jurisdiction over these petitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that the Department of Correction and local sheriffs provide free voice telephone services to all inmates in Massachusetts correctional facilities, including jails and mental health units. The law requires these communication services to be available at all times, provided they do not disrupt educational programs or daily facility operations. Additionally, the bill ensures that both the incarcerated person and the recipient of the call incur no charges for these calls for a period of 90 days following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to protect foster care providers from being held financially responsible for injuries or property damage caused by the state, its employees, or third parties. It specifically applies to organizations contracted by the Department of Children and Families to care for children and youth. By clarifying that these providers cannot be sued for negligence resulting from the state's actions, the legislation aims to shield them from liability in situations where the state or others are at fault.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill expands health insurance coverage for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services for women. It mandates that insurance plans cover baseline mammograms for women aged 35 to 40 and annual mammograms for those 40 and older, while also providing earlier screenings for younger women with specific risk factors like family history or dense breast tissue. The legislation requires coverage for advanced imaging options, such as ultrasound and MRI, when medically necessary due to abnormalities or high-risk conditions, and ensures these services are free of co-pays, deductibles, or dollar limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies regulations for gaming licenses in Massachusetts to improve the state's economy. It reorganizes geographic regions for licensing purposes by adding a new Region D that includes specific towns in the Worcester Northern District, such as Fitchburg and Leominster. The legislation also establishes a new requirement that any gaming facility in this new Region D must be located on a site with at least 70 contiguous acres. These changes directly affect the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and operators seeking to open casinos in the designated areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study the financial stability and effectiveness of special education programs across Massachusetts. The commission will include state legislators, education officials, and representatives from school districts, parents, and professional associations. Its main tasks involve analyzing student enrollment costs, reviewing transportation and placement systems, and exploring ways to improve service delivery while reducing expenses. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to state lawmakers by January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to lower the approved costs threshold for the special education reimbursement program from $45,793 to $37,120. The change directly affects districts and entities that receive funding for special education services by adjusting the financial limit used to determine reimbursement eligibility. By updating this specific dollar amount in the General Laws, the legislation modifies the criteria for how costs are approved and reimbursed within the existing special education framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the state reimbursement rate for the special education circuit breaker from 75% to 90%. The special education circuit breaker is a tax relief program that helps families with high special education costs reduce their property taxes. By changing the reimbursement percentage in the state laws, the bill would allow the state to cover a larger share of the tax reduction for eligible households. This change directly affects families in Massachusetts who qualify for the program and the municipalities that administer the tax relief.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the state reimbursement rate for special education transportation costs in Massachusetts from 75% to 90%. The change would directly affect school districts and families that rely on state funding to cover the expenses of transporting students with disabilities to and from school. By amending the relevant state law, the legislation ensures that districts receive a higher percentage of the actual costs incurred for these services. This adjustment aims to provide more financial support to districts managing transportation for special education students.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.