Rep. Russell Holmes

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care facilities and providers in Massachusetts to obtain written informed consent before testing individuals for marijuana or THC. It also mandates that test results and the identity of the person tested cannot be shared with anyone else unless the individual provides specific written permission. The law treats violations of these consent requirements as a breach of the state's consumer protection statutes, ensuring that patients are fully aware of and agree to how their drug testing data is handled.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that insurance plans in Massachusetts cover services provided by certified nurse-midwives at the same reimbursement rate as those provided by licensed physicians. It applies to state employee health plans, public health insurance programs, and private individual or group hospital service plans operating within the state. The legislation ensures that insurers cannot lower payments for nurse-midwife services to comply with the new coverage requirements, effectively treating these services as equal to physician services for billing purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to collect and publish detailed data on student outcomes and special education services. The law mandates that schools report information broken down by race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, English learner status, and disability category to help identify and address educational inequities. Additionally, the bill expands the types of special education services that must be tracked, including assistive technology and behavioral supports, provided the state supplies an online tool to facilitate this reporting. By making this data publicly available in an easy-to-use format, the legislation aims to ensure that all students have equitable access to education and necessary support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Boston to issue up to five new licenses for on-premises alcohol sales annually within specific neighborhoods, including areas like Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. These licenses are restricted to the designated ZIP codes, non-transferable, and valid for a five-year period starting from the year the law passes. If a license is not issued in a given year, it carries over to the next year until all available slots are filled, ensuring a steady supply of new opportunities for applicants. The act also requires that any revoked licenses be returned to the city board so they can be reissued to new applicants in the same neighborhood.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new requirement for the state's data advisory commission to study and recommend how the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education should publish detailed special education data. The proposed data would include student-specific information on services received, such as assistive technology and behavioral plans, broken down by factors like race, gender, income status, and disability category while ensuring no personally identifiable information is revealed. Additionally, the legislation mandates that private special education schools receiving state funding submit annual financial reports and audits to the department and state auditor, with specific details on compensation and program costs. A separate provision directs the secretary of education to study best practices for overseeing these private schools to ensure appropriate educational programming and services are provided.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that incarcerated youth in Massachusetts have access to education by allowing them to enroll in public colleges and universities. It mandates that public secondary schools grant credit for coursework completed while students are in correctional facilities and include this work on their official transcripts. The legislation also requires correctional facilities to identify students needing special education services and provides for a minimum of six hours of classroom instruction per weekday throughout the year for those under 22. Additionally, the bill mandates that interpretation and translation services be available for English Language Learner students to ensure they can fully participate in special education processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal procedures for handling youth aged 12 to 18 who are arrested and must wait for a court session. It requires police officers to immediately notify a parent, guardian, or the Department of Children and Families upon arrest and mandates that a bail magistrate be informed for children aged 14 to 18. The law allows these youth to be released on a written promise from a responsible adult to appear in court, unless the crime is non-bailable, a warrant orders safekeeping, or the youth cannot provide required sureties. In cases where release is not possible, the bill specifies that the child must be held in a police station, lockup, or approved detention facility while their family or guardians are notified of the detention.

By Representative Walsh of Peabody and Senator Lovely, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2416) of Thomas P. Walsh, Joan B. Lovely and others relative to requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Khan of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2351) of Kay Khan and others relative to police training in appropriate interactions with persons on the autism spectrum and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative González of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2335) of Carlos González and others for legislation to reduce recidivism through evidence-based programs. Public Safety and Homeland Security.