Rep. David Linsky

Maddy summaryThis bill protects people in Massachusetts who donate organs while they are still alive from facing discrimination by insurance companies. It requires insurers offering disability, life, annuity, and long-term care policies to treat living organ donors the same as anyone else, meaning they cannot deny coverage, charge higher rates, or cancel policies just because someone has donated an organ. The law also mandates that the state insurance department make information about reputable living organ donation organizations available to the public. By establishing these rules, the legislation aims to remove financial barriers that might discourage individuals from choosing to donate organs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a Children's Vision and Eye Health Advisory Council to help address disparities in children's vision care across Massachusetts. The council will consist of 13 members from various medical, educational, and community organizations, along with three parents, who will meet annually to offer advice on improving eye health programs and screening systems. Additionally, the bill requires the state to establish a secure, computerized registry where healthcare providers report vision screening results to track and improve access to eye care for children.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Act to establish a superfund that recovers costs from entities responsible for climate pollution. It defines "climate change adaptive infrastructure projects" broadly to include measures like coastal protection, stormwater upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements for both public and private buildings. Under the proposed law, polluters would be required to pay into this fund to help finance these resilience projects, shifting the financial burden of climate adaptation from taxpayers to those contributing to the problem. The legislation also sets specific definitions for terms like "applicable payment date" and "controlled group" to ensure consistent application of the funding rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires specific Massachusetts healthcare plans to cover medically necessary treatments for genetic craniofacial conditions, such as ectodermal dysplasia and dentinogenesis imperfecta. It applies to insurance provided by the state for its employees, the state health division, private accident and sickness policies, and employee health funds within the commonwealth. The law mandates that these plans cover functional repairs or restorations needed to improve function or appearance, while explicitly excluding cosmetic surgery and dental work unrelated to congenital anomalies. Additionally, the bill ensures that coverage for these conditions cannot have higher deductibles, copayments, or out-of-pocket limits than other medical benefits.

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 establishes a new commission to study the practicality of a program where the government could voluntarily buy homes and buildings located in flood-prone areas. The commission will be led by state officials from climate, energy, and emergency management agencies, alongside representatives from housing, environmental protection, and various advocacy groups focused on justice and conservation. Its main task is to analyze current and future flood risks using scientific data and determine what such a purchase program would require, including costs and procedures. The commission must submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the state legislature once its work is complete.

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.