By Representatives Hawkins of Attleboro and Berthiaume of Spencer, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2338) of James K. Hawkins, Donald R. Berthiaume, Jr., and others relative to benefits for county sheriffs' correction officers and jail officers. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Giannino of Revere, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2536) of Jessica Ann Giannino and others relative to disability pensions for violent crimes committed against certain public employees. Public Service.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require health insurance plans to cover the cost of electronic tracking devices for people with Autism spectrum disorder or Alzheimer's disease. It directly affects individuals with these conditions who currently face high out-of-pocket expenses for safety devices. The key provision mandates insurers to include this coverage as part of standard health plans, eliminating a financial barrier to access. This policy change would make safety tracking technology more accessible without requiring separate insurance arrangements.
By Representatives Gentile of Sudbury and Kane of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2182) of Carmine Lawrence Gentile, Hannah Kane and others for legislation to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to require health insurers to pay ambulance providers directly when treating insured individuals who are not under contract with that specific insurer. The legislation mandates that insurers must make these payments promptly, even if the insurance policy typically prohibits assigning benefits, provided the patient signs an assignment form or is unable to do so. It also clarifies that payment made to the patient instead of the ambulance company does not count as reimbursement, and it grants ambulance providers the legal right to sue insurers who fail to pay directly. These changes directly affect ambulance service providers, insurance companies, and patients seeking emergency care in Massachusetts.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a clear legal process for making medical decisions for adults in Massachusetts who are incapacitated and lack a valid advance directive or court-appointed guardian. It allows qualified individuals, such as family members or friends, to act as surrogate decision-makers without needing to go through the courts, provided they consult with the attending physician. The law defines specific criteria for who can serve as a surrogate and outlines a priority order for selecting these individuals to ensure timely care. Additionally, the bill clarifies that surrogates must make decisions based on the patient's known values and intentions, while explicitly excluding authority to commit patients to inpatient mental health facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts veterans currently serving in retirement systems to purchase back their service time if they missed the original deadline due to military service. It requires retirement boards to notify active members of this new eligibility within 90 days of the law taking effect. Affected veterans will have one additional year from the effective date to apply for this buyback, which they could not previously do if they failed to act within the standard 180-day window. The legislation amends existing state laws to create this specific exception for veterans and mandates that retirement systems inform eligible members about the opportunity.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate strategies for preventing child suicide and to identify resources needed to help schools support at-risk students. The commission will be composed of 11 members drawn from the state legislature, education and mental health departments, and various advocacy groups, with two co-chairs appointed by the legislative leaders. The group is tasked with studying the issue and submitting a report with recommendations and potential new laws to the state legislature by December 31, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill expands the state's existing elder protection laws to explicitly include bullying alongside physical and financial abuse. It defines bullying as intimidation or harassment that causes fear for safety, covering actions such as physical contact, cyberbullying, and retaliation for reporting. The legislation requires care facilities and housing authorities to report incidents of bullying involving elderly residents to the Department of Housing and Community Development, which will maintain a central database and share quarterly reports with relevant housing managers. By amending multiple sections of Chapter 19A, the bill ensures that bullying is treated with the same legal seriousness as other forms of elder mistreatment in care settings and public housing.
By Representative Howitt of Seekonk, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3346) of Steven S. Howitt, Alan Silvia and Bud L. Williams relative to roadway littering. Transportation.
