Rep. Patrick Kearney

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts law to expand collaborative drug therapy management in ambulatory care clinics. It allows pharmacists and physicians to jointly manage patient medications in clinics licensed under Chapter 111, provided two conditions are met: (1) a collaborating pharmacist works under direct supervision by both an attending physician and the pharmacist, and (2) the clinic’s medical staff committee or medical director approves the arrangement. The change directly affects ambulatory care clinics seeking to implement this team-based medication management model. It removes existing barriers by explicitly permitting this collaborative practice within the specified clinic setting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public, private, and charter schools (K-12) to annually report immunization rates and exemption numbers to the state health department. The department must then publish aggregated school-level data publicly, including exemption rates, while protecting student privacy under existing laws. Schools must report total immunized children and exemptions each year, and the department may also share data by municipality or other geographic areas. The law ensures transparency about vaccination coverage without disclosing personal information. It directly affects schools, parents, and public health officials by standardizing how immunization data is collected and shared.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans to cover multi-user breast pumps for mothers of newborns with specific medical needs, such as those in intensive care or with conditions preventing direct breastfeeding. It mandates coverage for the pump's rental, replacement parts (like tubing and valves), storage bags, and microwave sterilization bags. Additionally, it requires coverage for initial and ongoing support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). The pump must be provided within 24 hours of hospital discharge, applying to Commonwealth employees' group insurance, Medicaid plans, and private health insurance policies meeting certain criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 4553) requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover specific dental and oral care for head and neck cancer survivors. It directly affects state employees (active and retired) and private insurance policyholders by mandating coverage for: dental care before cancer treatment (like chemotherapy/radiation), post-treatment care to address side effects (tooth decay, infections), and rehabilitation services (including dental implants, speech/swallowing aids, and devices to restore appearance). The law applies to state group insurance plans, health insurance divisions, and private insurance policies covering hospital/surgical benefits. It specifies coverage for preventative care, medically necessary procedures, and rehabilitation tied directly to head and neck cancer treatment or its side effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts hospitals and outpatient surgical centers to use smoke evacuation systems during procedures generating surgical smoke (such as those using lasers or electrosurgery) to protect patients and healthcare workers from inhaling harmful particles. Facilities must adopt policies ensuring smoke evacuation by January 1, 2026, and report these policies to the Department of Public Health by April 1, 2026. Non-compliance will result in fines of at least $500 per violation. The law directly affects all licensed hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 211) changes eligibility rules for Massachusetts' emergency housing assistance program. It explicitly restricts the program to only residents of Massachusetts who are U.S. citizens, removing previous eligibility for non-citizen residents. The key mechanism is an amendment to Chapter 23B of the General Laws, adding a specific requirement that the program "shall be available only to residents... who are citizens of the United States." This directly affects non-citizen residents who previously qualified for emergency housing aid under the program.

Maddy summaryHD 2857 amends Massachusetts law to expand shelter options for childless individuals with chronic disabilities experiencing homelessness. It specifically adds "individuals with disabilities as defined by chapter 179 of the acts of 1995 who require home care, caretaker services, and constant stay and housing" to eligibility criteria in Chapter 23B. The bill mandates that the state department provide hotel or motel shelter when an individual with such disabilities needs accommodations unavailable at standard overnight shelters. This change directly affects vulnerable residents with specific care needs who are currently homeless and unable to access appropriate shelter through existing systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts General Laws by adding "Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway workers" to a specific classification section. It directly affects MassDOT highway workers by changing their statutory classification from Group 1 to Group 4 under existing law. The change is purely technical, updating the legal definition to explicitly include these workers in Group 4, without altering their benefits or duties. The bill is procedural, focusing on precise language in the law rather than creating new policy.

Maddy summaryHD 584 amends a 1953 retirement law to add Plymouth County to the list of counties covered for certain employees' retirement rights. Specifically, it inserts "or the county of Plymouth" after "county of Barnstable" in the existing provision. This technical correction directly affects employees working as assistant criminal identification officers in Plymouth County, expanding their eligibility under the retirement law. The bill makes no new policy changes beyond updating the geographic scope of an existing provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to add "licensed pipefitters and refrigeration technicians" to the list of workers covered under Chapter 32. It specifically affects employees of the Massachusetts Port Authority who hold these licenses. The change simply expands the existing coverage to include these two professions, alongside current roles like electricians and boiler operators. The bill makes no new requirements or funding changes - it only updates the statutory list of covered occupations.