Rep. Natalie Higgins

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to create a grant program designed to help municipalities, businesses, and nonprofits expand access to electric bicycles. The funding can be used to buy and maintain e-bikes, cover related infrastructure costs, and pay for labor and administrative expenses associated with bike-sharing or ownership programs. To qualify, applicants must run a program using electric bicycles and agree to provide some matching funds while following reporting rules. The department is also instructed to prioritize grants for projects located in environmental justice or disproportionately impacted communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Better Buildings Act within Massachusetts law to set energy performance standards for large buildings, defined as those with at least 20,000 square feet. The Department of Energy Resources will establish rules requiring these buildings to meet specific limits on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with interim targets set every five years starting in 2025. Owners of these buildings must report their annual energy consumption, and the department will make this data publicly available. The standards will apply to various building types and occupancies, with the department having the authority to define subcategories and adjust thresholds as needed.

By Representative Blais of Deerfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Natalie M. Blais relative to establishing a state disaster relief fund for emergency management. Emergency Preparedness and Management.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to create a state plan within one year that establishes training and care standards for healthcare providers treating patients with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. To guide this effort, the legislation creates a new advisory committee composed of health officials, medical experts, patient advocates, and representatives from major health organizations. The plan must include specific requirements for continuing education and strategies to improve how these conditions are diagnosed during routine outpatient visits. Additionally, the bill mandates that state licensure boards work with the advisory committee to ensure these new training standards are part of the renewal process for medical professionals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts Medicaid rules to require certain elders and people with disabilities to pay back a portion of their income that exceeds specific limits. Under the new provision, eligible individuals would owe providers an amount equal to their excess monthly income for six consecutive months, with exceptions for those in home or community-based waiver programs and the special income eligibility group. The change directly affects recipients whose earnings are above the standard exemption thresholds but who still qualify for Medicaid coverage. By introducing this repayment requirement, the legislation aims to adjust how costs are shared between the state and those with higher incomes within the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state education laws to require that public school curricula include instruction on the histories, roles, and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. The change directly affects public school educators by mandating that they incorporate these specific topics into their teaching standards. By adding this sentence to an existing section of the General Laws, the legislation ensures that LGBTQ+ experiences are formally recognized as part of the country and Commonwealth's history. The measure focuses on updating educational content rather than creating new administrative structures or funding requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent commission in Massachusetts dedicated to improving educational opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native residents. The commission will consist of 17 members appointed by various state departments, including education, health, and social services, as well as the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs. Members will serve two-year terms without pay but can be reimbursed for work-related expenses, and the group will operate independently from other state agencies. The commission's primary role is to investigate how public and private resources can be used to enhance educational support and services for these communities. Appointments will be made through an open process involving consultation with tribal governments and intertribal organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education law to require schools to include specific Native American history and culture in their curriculum. It mandates that instruction cover the history and current issues of local tribes like the Wampanoag and Massachuset, as well as broader topics such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and genocide. The law also requires the state education board to consult with Native American communities when developing these new teaching standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Secretary of Equity within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to oversee efforts aimed at reducing health disparities. It defines "health equity" and "priority populations" as groups disproportionately affected by these disparities and requires the state health commissioner to include a chief health equity officer in their leadership team. The legislation also mandates that the health commissioner appoint at least one board member with specific professional experience related to health equity who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color. Additionally, the bill requires the state health commissioner to integrate health equity principles into all their official duties and powers.