Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Implementation Coordinating Council to guide the creation of a statewide system for improving mental health support in Massachusetts schools. The council will consist of ten members, including government officials and representatives from schools, medical providers, and families, who will meet to advise state leaders and offer guidance to school districts. Within six months of its first meeting, the council must develop a three-year plan that sets goals for expanding staff, improving training, and ensuring equitable access to behavioral health services for all students. The council will also be responsible for updating this plan every three years to track progress and address any disparities in service delivery.
Rep. Natalie Higgins
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to establish minimum standards for private wells, which are defined as systems serving fewer than 15 connections and either fewer than 25 people or an average of 25 or more people for less than 60 days a year. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to create regulations ensuring these wells meet public health safety standards and allows certified drillers to construct or modify them. The legislation also grants local boards of health and the state department concurrent authority to enforce these rules while aiming to reduce paperwork burdens for residents and businesses. Additionally, the bill directs the state to assist homeowners in installing treatment systems to ensure their private well water meets recommended contaminant limits.
By Representatives Cutler of Pembroke and Peake of Provincetown, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2302) of Josh S. Cutler, Sarah K. Peake and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to examine the potential negative environmental and economic impacts caused by the discharge of spent fuel pool water created as a waste product of nuclear energy. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2351) of Kay Khan and others relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Fluker Oakley of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2326) of Brandy Fluker Oakley and others relative to successful transitions and re-entries for incarcerated persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires public and private schools in Massachusetts to ensure that at least one employee at each school is trained to administer seizure rescue medication or use a Vagus Nerve Stimulator magnet for students with seizure disorders. It mandates that all school staff who interact with students receive training on recognizing seizure symptoms and providing first aid, with registered nurses serving as a qualified alternative to other trained staff. The legislation also establishes a process for parents to provide written authorization and medication for their children, requires the creation of individualized seizure action plans, and mandates age-appropriate seizure education for all students. These requirements apply only to schools that currently have enrolled students with seizure disorders or prescribed seizure medications.
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2314) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to unreasonable limits on in-person visitation of inmates. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that asks the Massachusetts General Court to officially support the international Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It calls on the state to advocate for the total elimination of nuclear arsenals and urges federal leaders to take specific steps, such as removing nuclear weapons from high alert and ending the option of using them first. The measure does not change any state laws or budgets because nuclear policy is a federal responsibility, but it serves as a formal statement of the state's position and a request for federal action.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to update the names of various health and insurance agencies, such as changing the "commissioner of insurance" to the "commissioner of health insurance." It also reorganizes certain divisions within the Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation to better reflect their specific roles in health and insurance oversight. Additionally, the legislation introduces new definitions for terms like "health equity," "private equity company," and "significant equity investor" to clarify how these concepts apply to healthcare providers. By adding these definitions and updating agency titles, the bill aims to improve the clarity and accuracy of the state's market review and regulatory framework.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts labor laws to extend the mandatory negotiation period for public employees from an unspecified reasonable time to a fixed six months before a strike can occur. It directly affects public sector workers by establishing a strict timeline where strikes are prohibited until six months of collective bargaining have passed, with a specific exception allowing public safety employees to strike immediately if negotiations fail. The legislation also clarifies that certain legal protections for impasses do not apply once a formal dispute is filed, ensuring the six-month negotiation window is the primary barrier to work stoppages.