Rep. Pat Duffy

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a trust fund to grow and diversify the perinatal behavioral health care workforce in Massachusetts. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities (such as colleges, community health centers, tribal organizations, and public health agencies) that create or expand training programs for providers focusing on mental health and substance use services for perinatal individuals. The grants prioritize organizations serving medically underserved populations or areas with racial, geographic, or health outcome disparities. Recipients must report annually on grant usage, program participants (with demographic data), and impacts on workforce shortages and access. The fund aims to improve access to culturally competent behavioral health care during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study the feasibility of implementing a single-payer health care system in Massachusetts, aiming to provide universal access for all residents regardless of their background. The commission, which includes representatives from various sectors such as labor, business, and health care, is tasked with analyzing costs, reviewing models used by other states and countries, and developing specific recommendations for funding and administration. Its report will cover detailed aspects like transition costs, workforce impacts, and methods to ensure equitable access to services including dental, mental health, and long-term care. Ultimately, the legislation focuses on creating a comprehensive plan rather than immediately enacting a new health care system.

Maddy summaryHD 774 removes barriers for physician assistants (PAs) by expanding their scope of practice and improving access to care. The bill allows PAs to perform medical services within their training without requiring physician supervision for certain tasks, ensures insurance coverage for PA-provided services identical to those by physicians, and permits PAs to bill insurers directly. It also establishes a 2,000-hour collaborative practice requirement in hospital settings for PA licensure. This directly affects PAs, patients seeking care, and healthcare insurers by streamlining care delivery and billing processes.

Maddy summaryHD 2345, titled "An Act relative to physician assistant interstate compact," creates a legal framework allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. It establishes a "compact privilege" enabling PAs to provide medical services to patients located in another participating state, with oversight by the state where the patient is physically present during care. Key requirements include holding a current national certification (NCCPA PANCE), passing a criminal background check, and having no serious convictions, while states must share disciplinary information through a centralized data system. This bill directly affects PAs seeking to practice across state lines, patients receiving care in different states, and military families by simplifying licensure for active-duty personnel and spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund to address contamination in Massachusetts drinking water, groundwater, soil, and other environmental media. It directly affects communities with PFAS pollution, including vulnerable environmental justice areas, private well owners, and public water systems. The fund provides grants for PFAS treatment, remediation, and outreach programs, prioritizing communities with limited resources. Money comes from settlements with PFAS manufacturers, other grants, and interest, with strict rules requiring repayment if responsible parties are later identified.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 5474) formally names asparagus as the official vegetable of the Commonwealth. It has no policy impact or effect on any specific group, as it is purely a ceremonial designation. The bill adds a single line to state law stating "Asparagus shall be the official vegetable of the commonwealth." It does not create new regulations, funding, or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a single government-run health care system called the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, providing universal coverage to all Massachusetts residents. It eliminates patient cost-sharing (like deductibles and co-pays) and requires the Trust to cover all medically appropriate services, including dental, behavioral health, and long-term care. The Trust would replace current private and public insurance plans, funding care through state revenue to ensure coverage regardless of income, health status, or employment. It directly affects every Massachusetts resident (as defined, including homeless individuals and undocumented people) and all health care providers in the state. The system aims to reduce administrative costs, control spending, and expand preventive care while guaranteeing continuous coverage without job or enrollment changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts utilities to create a public online dashboard showing real-time breakdowns of residential utility bills, including clean energy program benefits and costs. It mandates that at least 70% of certain clean energy compliance payments must be returned to ratepayers as annual bill credits within 90 days. The dashboard will display historical rate components, program benefits (like reduced emissions and system reliability), and utility cost recovery mechanisms. These changes directly affect residential electricity and gas customers by increasing bill transparency and providing direct financial returns for clean energy investments.

By Representative Duffy of Holyoke, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patricia A. Duffy relative to the retirement benefits for Julia Flannery, the surviving spouse of the Honorable Francis Flannery. Public Service.

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.