Rep. Steven Howitt

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to explicitly include licensed private detectives and investigators when defining who is prohibited from accessing certain state records. It specifically bans these professionals from using motor vehicle registrar data or facial recognition systems for any purpose that conflicts with their professional licensing rules. The legislation also mandates that the licenses of any private investigators caught violating these new prohibitions will be immediately revoked.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to dispense up to a 30-day supply of insulin without a doctor's immediate authorization during emergency situations where a patient cannot quickly reach their provider. The law defines an emergency as a time when obtaining standard authorization is not readily available and requires pharmacists to use their professional judgment to determine if the medication is essential to prevent harm. To prevent abuse, the bill restricts pharmacists from providing this emergency supply to the same patient more than once within any six-month period. Additionally, the legislation updates several state laws to explicitly include insulin as an item that can be dispensed under these emergency conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require the state's Division of Developmental Services to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21 and older with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder. The legislation specifically mandates coverage for applied behavior analysis and various augmentative and alternative communication devices, such as tablets, when deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. By expanding these insurance benefits, the bill aims to ensure that individuals with these conditions have access to essential care that helps develop, maintain, or restore their functioning.

By Representatives Hawkins of Attleboro and DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2823) of James K. Hawkins, David F. DeCoste and Brandy Fluker Oakley for legislation to provide municipalities with the option to freeze residential tax rate or valuation for the elderly with means tested criteria. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires voters in Massachusetts to present specific forms of identification at polling places in order to cast a ballot. Eligible IDs include a voter registration card, social security card, valid driver's license, government-issued ID, or a photo employee ID. If a voter cannot provide one of these documents, they will be denied the opportunity to vote. The law directly impacts all registered voters by adding a mandatory identification step to the voting process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election officials in Massachusetts to install 24-hour video surveillance on all unattended ballot drop boxes and post signs notifying the public of this monitoring. The law specifies that the cameras can be motion-activated, must record footage during all elections, and allows cities and towns to choose between cloud or physical storage for the recordings. Additionally, the bill mandates that recorded footage be kept for a minimum of 22 months after each election concludes. These measures aim to enhance the security and oversight of the voting process by ensuring a permanent record of activity at drop-off locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Deer Population Control Commission to study ways of managing deer numbers in eight specific Massachusetts counties. The commission will consist of eight members appointed by various government officials and industry representatives, including hunters and insurance brokers. Its main task is to identify effective methods for controlling deer populations and helping farmers reduce property damage, with a deadline to submit findings and draft laws by March 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape cases indefinitely if DNA evidence matches the suspect. It directly affects victims of rape who may wish to pursue legal action years after the crime occurred, even if the standard 15-year time limit has passed. The key mechanism requires that a DNA match between the victim and the accused must be established before the prosecution timeline is removed. This change aims to provide more opportunities for justice in cases where DNA evidence becomes available long after the incident.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require vehicle manufacturers to include a specific notice in the owner's manuals for all new cars starting with the 2025 model year. The notice must explain what telematics systems are, describe the mechanical data they collect, confirm that owners can access this data via mobile devices, and state the owner's right to let independent repair shops access the data for maintenance. By updating the existing Right to Repair law, the legislation ensures that future car buyers are clearly informed about data collection and their options for vehicle servicing before they purchase a new vehicle.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts public high schools to include hands-only CPR and automated external defibrillator training in their health or physical education curricula for grades 9 through 12. The law mandates that every student participate in this instruction as a graduation requirement, though students with a physician's note or a parent's written objection may be exempted. School districts must choose a free training program modeled after guidelines from a nationally recognized CPR organization and ensure it includes hands-on practice for each student. The new requirements are scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025.