Rep. Donnie Berthiaume

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a 2022 law to formally transfer specific land and easement interests in West Brookfield to the Department of Fish and Game. The property in question is located at 652 West Main Street and was acquired for conservation, habitat protection, and public recreation purposes. By updating the legal description, the legislation ensures the state agency holds clear title to the land, which is currently recorded with the Worcester district registry of deeds. The change applies directly to the department and the specific parcel of land identified in the text.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that health care plans for firefighters in Massachusetts cover specific cancer screenings without charging co-payments or deductibles. It requires these screenings to begin three years after a firefighter starts their job and to be repeated every three years while they are employed. The law specifies that the exams must check for various types of cancer, including lung, colon, and prostate cancer, and applies to firefighters working for the state, cities, towns, and certain military bases. While the bill generally prohibits out-of-pocket costs, it allows for cost-sharing only if federal tax laws require it to maintain the plan's tax-exempt status.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers (such as state, city, or fire district departments) to provide full-time firefighters with free cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin working as firefighters. It covers screenings for 11 specific cancers including colon, lung, bladder, and prostate, with all costs paid by the employer's health plan - no co-pays or deductibles required. The mandate applies to firefighters in municipal departments, the Massachusetts Military Reservation, the 104th Fighter Wing, and Devens fire departments. The only exception is if the employer's health plan is federally tax-exempt and would lose that status without cost-sharing, though this is uncommon.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the Town of Barre's government by abolishing the existing Public Works Commission and replacing it with a new Department of Public Works. The new department will consolidate the functions of the previous highway, water, sewer, and parks departments into a single entity. A superintendent will be appointed to lead the department and manage its operations, reporting to the town administrator, while all existing contracts and assets automatically transfer to the new structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes the Town of Barre's public services by abolishing the existing public works commission and creating a new Department of Public Works. The new department will combine the functions of the current highway, water, sewer, and parks departments into a single entity. It establishes a superintendent appointed by the town's select board to oversee the department, with the town administrator managing the superintendent's employment contract and daily supervision. All existing contracts, records, and equipment from the old departments will automatically transfer to the new department without disrupting current operations.

The committee on Environment and Natural Resources to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 582) of Peter J. Durant, Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to the Ware river watershed advisory committee, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2570).

Maddy summaryThis bill (H 5037) changes reimbursement rules for public health dental hygienists in Massachusetts. It removes a restriction that previously prevented Medicaid from seeking payment from other insurers or third-party payors for dental services provided by these hygienists. The key provision allows Medicaid to pursue secondary payments from other insurers, aiming to improve funding stability for public health dental hygiene programs. This directly affects dental hygienists working in public health settings who rely on Medicaid reimbursement. The goal is to make their services more financially sustainable by expanding potential funding sources.

By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer and Senator Durant, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., that Bradford G. Merkel be authorized to take the state police examination notwithstanding the maximum age requirement. Public Service.

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1831) of Peter J. Durant, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr. and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to provide killed in the line of duty benefits to Joanne Songy, surviving spouse of Detective John D. Songy, a police officer of the town of Rutland. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

By Representative Berthiaume of Spencer and Senator Durant, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., establish a sick leave bank for Rosemarie Derry, an employee of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Public Service.