Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee and regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including licensed midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of who can prescribe medication to include licensed midwives and establishes a program for postpartum depression screenings for state employees. It also updates various state laws to formally recognize and define the roles of certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives across different departments.
By Representative Haddad of Somerset, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2337) of Patricia A. Haddad and others relative to the use of hoisting equipment in vocational technical education. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Schmid of Westport, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3423) of Paul A. Schmid, III and others for legislation to reduce registration fees on veteran plates. Transportation.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to require public colleges and universities in Massachusetts to prioritize admissions and financial aid for specific groups of students. It directly affects applicants who are orphans, whose parents' rights were terminated due to abuse or neglect, or who have been legally adopted by a close blood relative or assigned a permanent legal guardian. The key provision mandates that these institutions identify and give priority to these students when making decisions about enrollment and scholarships. By establishing this preference, the legislation aims to ensure these vulnerable populations receive special consideration in the college application process.
Senate, June 29, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 185) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to advancing the profession of interior design; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 315) of Patricia A. Haddad and others relative to registered interior designers, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2408).
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new licensing system for commercial interior designers in Massachusetts by establishing a state board to oversee registration and a selection board to review government design projects. The legislation defines the specific scope of work that interior designers can perform independently, such as designing interior spaces without altering core structural elements or major safety systems. It sets out requirements for board membership, including experience levels and appointment terms, while also outlining the qualifications needed for individuals to obtain a two-year registration license.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow specific low-stakes card and chance games at municipal and town senior centers. It defines "recreational games" as activities where individual winnings do not exceed $20, player contributions are $5 or less, and no one profits from organizing the event. The legislation clarifies that these rules apply only to senior centers and does not authorize the arrest or prosecution of people hosting or playing in such games in public or private settings.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Department to conduct a comprehensive study on guardians ad litem and their current compensation system. The investigation will analyze attorney pay rates, time spent on cases, travel expenses, and the impact of recent salary adjustments on the availability of legal representation for children in court. Additionally, the study will gather data on attorney debt burdens and project future staffing levels to determine if current pay is sufficient to maintain an adequate number of guardians. By January 1, 2025, the department must submit a report with its findings and any recommended legislative changes to the state's judiciary committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "public employee" in Massachusetts to include referees, umpires, and other officials working at school sports events. By registering with relevant sports organizations, these individuals would receive enhanced penalties if they are assaulted or battered while performing their duties. The change applies to volunteers, independent contractors, and paid staff alike, ensuring that anyone officiating a school game is covered under existing protection laws.