Rep. David Linsky

By Representative Gentile of Sudbury, a petition (accompanied by resolutions, House, No. 3768) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile and others for the adoption of resolutions memorializing the Congress of the United States to pass and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to restore the first amendment and fair elections to the people. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

By Representative Kilcoyne of Clinton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1074) of Meghan Kilcoyne and others relative to cancer patient access to biomarker testing to provide appropriate therapy. Financial Services.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new coordinating council to guide the implementation of a statewide system that integrates behavioral health services into schools. The council will be made up of representatives from schools, healthcare providers, parents, and other community groups, who will work together to develop a three-year plan for expanding access to mental health support for students. Under the legislation, school districts are required to adopt this comprehensive system by September 2026, while the council will regularly report progress and identify any barriers to equitable access. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state department provide specific reporting formats to track how well districts are meeting these new behavioral health goals.

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 Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2869) of David Paul Linsky relative to the classification of real property for purposes of taxation. Revenue.

By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2867) of David Paul Linsky for legislation to extend the property tax exemption to surviving spouses of blind persons. Revenue.

By Representative Cahill of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2297) of Daniel Cahill for legislation to establish a violence prevention trust fund. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2814) of Carlos González and others for legislation to create a commission (including members of the General Court) to review and approve claims for a smart gun technology tax incentive program. Revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts laws to ensure that legal parentage rights apply equally to all families, regardless of the parents' gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. It replaces gender-specific terms like "father" and "mother" with neutral language such as "other parent" and "person who gave birth," while also changing "paternity" to "parentage" throughout the statutes. The legislation introduces new definitions for various family arrangements, including surrogacy and assisted reproduction, to clarify how different types of parents are recognized under the law. By amending existing chapters on birth certificates and family law, the bill aims to provide consistent legal protections for children born through diverse circumstances, including those resulting from surrogacy or non-marital births.