Rep. Estela Reyes

Maddy summaryHD 1297 requires the Department of Mental Health to cover specialized behavioral health services (like crisis intervention, inpatient care, and youth stabilization) for children in state care. It mandates that congregate care programs (e.g., group homes providing foster care) implement emergency response plans prioritizing behavioral health support over law enforcement referrals, and prohibits denying readmission to children who are medically and psychiatrically stable after a hospitalization or crisis. The bill also requires programs to report readmission denials to the Department of Children and Families, with data collected on demographics and shared publicly. These changes directly affect children in foster care, congregate care programs, and state agencies managing child welfare and mental health services.

Maddy summaryHD 2501 allows cities and towns to adopt local rent stabilization and tenant protection measures. It enables municipalities to limit annual rent increases to the lower of the local Consumer Price Index or 5%, and requires landlords to have "just cause" (like nonpayment, lease violations, or property conversion) to evict tenants. The bill directly affects renters in participating municipalities, excluding owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, new construction (for five years), college dorms, senior facilities, and units subject to public housing regulation. Municipalities must adopt local ordinances within 180 days of acceptance and report annually to the state housing office. The law does not override existing state or federal tenant protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new licensing system for private businesses that provide home care services, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and housekeeping, to help ensure these providers are responsible and suitable. To obtain a license, agencies must meet specific requirements that include conducting thorough background checks on all workers, verifying driving records for those who transport clients, and maintaining clear contracts that detail service costs and plans. The law also mandates that agencies carry workers' compensation and liability insurance, follow labor laws regarding payroll, and provide ongoing training for their staff. The executive office of health and human services is tasked with issuing licenses, enforcing rules, and conducting investigations to monitor compliance, while also ensuring these new requirements do not duplicate existing oversight for other types of long-term care providers.

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to family support and poverty alleviation. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the governor to limit civil immigration enforcement activities within nonpublic areas of state-owned buildings and properties, unless required by federal law or specific state programs. It requires the creation of multilingual guidelines for state agencies, private organizations, and schools on how to verify the authority of immigration officers and handle related interactions. Additionally, the bill empowers the attorney general to file civil lawsuits against any law enforcement officer who violates specific federal statutes regarding immigration enforcement.

Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a bill with the same title (House, No. 4614) [Local Approval Received]. June 24, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that health care plans for firefighters in Massachusetts cover specific cancer screenings without charging co-payments or deductibles. It requires these screenings to begin three years after a firefighter starts their job and to be repeated every three years while they are employed. The law specifies that the exams must check for various types of cancer, including lung, colon, and prostate cancer, and applies to firefighters working for the state, cities, towns, and certain military bases. While the bill generally prohibits out-of-pocket costs, it allows for cost-sharing only if federal tax laws require it to maintain the plan's tax-exempt status.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines "serious mental illness" using the DSM criteria (including conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD) to clarify which patients qualify for protections. It prohibits health insurers and state health programs from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or other delays for FDA-approved medications treating these conditions. The law directly affects patients with qualifying mental health conditions by removing insurance barriers to accessing necessary medications. It applies to both private insurance plans and state-managed health programs under Massachusetts law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers (such as state, city, or fire district departments) to provide full-time firefighters with free cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin working as firefighters. It covers screenings for 11 specific cancers including colon, lung, bladder, and prostate, with all costs paid by the employer's health plan - no co-pays or deductibles required. The mandate applies to firefighters in municipal departments, the Massachusetts Military Reservation, the 104th Fighter Wing, and Devens fire departments. The only exception is if the employer's health plan is federally tax-exempt and would lose that status without cost-sharing, though this is uncommon.

Maddy summaryHD 2333 requires Massachusetts' Department of Public Health to amend regulations governing temporary nursing agencies working at skilled nursing facilities. The bill targets owners with 5%+ ownership in both a temporary nursing agency and a licensed skilled nursing facility, prohibiting them from using their agency at their own facility. It mandates additional reporting from these owners and broadly defines "family member" to include spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, and extended relatives. The regulations must be finalized within 180 days of the bill's passage, with the department required to consult senior care associations and 1199 SEIU during the process. This directly affects facility owners and agency operators with overlapping business interests.