Rep. Priscila Sousa

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Massachusetts education code to require schools to include prescription opioid abuse prevention in their violence prevention curriculum. The change specifically directs educators to teach students about the prescription drug epidemic and explain how misuse of these medications can lead to addiction to other substances like heroin. By adding this topic to existing legal requirements, the legislation ensures that all public schools address the risks associated with prescription opioids as part of their standard safety education.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve safety and standards for home care services in Massachusetts by updating existing laws to better protect both workers and consumers. It directly affects home care agencies, the individuals providing care, and the families receiving those services at home. The legislation introduces new definitions for what constitutes a home care agency and establishes requirements for creating safe working environments. Additionally, it sets forth rules for how these agencies must operate to ensure quality care and accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to strengthen suicide prevention efforts within public schools and charter schools. It requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create rules mandating that school districts form partnerships with community organizations to refer students to mental health, substance use, and social support services. Additionally, the legislation shortens the timeline for school districts to implement suicide prevention plans, reducing the requirement from three years to one year and the review period from six months to 60 days. These changes directly affect school administrators and districts by establishing clearer, faster deadlines and a formalized process for connecting students with external health resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services to create a mandatory infection control training program for all personal care attendants and home care employees who provide services in a consumer's residence. The law defines home care agencies as organizations that offer paid residential care services, while explicitly excluding government entities, house cleaning services, hospice programs, and adult foster care facilities. To ensure broad access, the state must contract with labor-management training funds, community colleges, and other qualified organizations to deliver the training within 180 days of the bill's passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts to offer commercial driver licensing tests in Portuguese, Spanish, and other languages as needed for applicants with limited English proficiency. While allowing these accommodations, the law clarifies that drivers must still prove they can speak English well enough to talk to the public, read road signs, and handle official communications. The change directly affects individuals seeking commercial driver licenses who do not speak English fluently but need to demonstrate their ability to operate vehicles safely.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow pub breweries to sell their own malt beverages to a wider range of customers beyond just their on-site taproom. Specifically, it permits these breweries to sell their products at wholesale to licensed wholesalers and retailers, as well as to institutions like churches and schools, and to sell bottled drinks directly to consumers for off-premises consumption. The legislation also authorizes pub breweries to export their products to other states and foreign countries where such sales are legal. Additionally, the bill includes a provision limiting the total annual sales to retail licensees to 50,000 gallons to prevent pub breweries from operating primarily as large-scale distributors.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to improve access to addiction treatment by clarifying which facilities are eligible for court-ordered commitments. It specifically excludes jails and sheriff-run correctional facilities from being used for addiction treatment, directing that such care must occur in licensed public or private facilities. The legislation requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure there are enough treatment beds available and mandates that these facilities be distributed across the state to serve all regions. Additionally, the bill instructs the Department of Public Health to maintain and share a roster of available treatment options with courts to assist in making placement decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare practitioners in Massachusetts to educate patients about the risks of prescription opioids when issuing specific high-risk prescriptions. The law mandates that doctors explain the need for an overdose reversal agent, such as naloxone, if a patient meets certain criteria, including taking high doses of opioids, using benzodiazepines, or having a history of substance use disorder. If a practitioner decides not to provide this education, they must document in the patient's medical record why the reversal agent was deemed unnecessary. The measure directly affects physicians and other providers who prescribe Schedule II opioids and aims to improve patient safety through mandatory counseling.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a paid, tuition-free apprenticeship program for future teachers. Under the plan, selected individuals would work alongside experienced staff while earning an accelerated bachelor's degree in arts or sciences relevant to their teaching field. The program requires participants to complete three years of paid work, with their wages increasing as they gain experience and finish their degree. It also establishes a legal definition for "Teacher Apprentice" to clarify the role of these trainees within school districts.