Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee the licensing and regulation of midwives in the state. The board will consist of eight appointed members, including licensed midwives with significant experience, a physician, a nurse-midwife, and a public representative, with specific requirements for members to address racial disparities in maternal health. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new Board of Allied Health Professions that includes representatives from various health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and lactation consulting. The bill also expands the legal definition of "licensed midwife" to allow them to issue prescriptions and grants local health agencies the authority to conduct in-depth reviews of fetal and infant deaths to improve community health services.
Rep. Manny Cruz
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health to oversee and regulate the practice of midwifery in the state. The board will consist of nine appointed members, including licensed midwives, obstetricians, and a public representative, with a specific requirement to consider racial disparities in maternal health during appointments. Additionally, the legislation expands the definition of who can prescribe medication to include licensed midwives and establishes a program for postpartum depression screenings for state employees. It also updates various state laws to formally recognize and define the roles of certified nurse-midwives and licensed midwives across different departments.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all school buses transporting students in Massachusetts to be equipped with seatbelts for every permanent seat. The law applies to public, charter, vocational, private, and parochial schools, as well as any private companies contracted to provide transportation services. To enforce this, transportation providers must file a notice with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education confirming that their buses meet federal safety standards. The requirement takes effect one year after the bill is passed, though existing contracts must notify the department of compliance as soon as seatbelts are installed.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires married couples in Massachusetts to file a joint state income tax return if they file a joint federal return. The law applies to all tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, and directly affects married taxpayers who currently file separately at the state level. By mandating joint filing for those who file jointly federally, the legislation aims to prevent high-income individuals from using separate state filings to reduce their tax liability.
By Representatives Moran of Lawrence and Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2379) of Frank A. Moran, Manny Cruz and Estela A. Reyes relative to policies and procedures for missing and abducted children. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2908) of James J. O'Day and others relative to excluding certain income from the calculation of the tax on incomes in excess of one million dollars. Revenue.
By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2909) of James J. O'Day and others for legislation to require certain married couples to submit joint income tax returns. Revenue.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts estate tax rules to adjust how taxes are calculated for large estates and to provide a specific credit for smaller ones. It directly affects individuals who leave behind taxable estates, changing the tax liability for those with assets over $20 million and offering a partial tax reduction for estates valued between $1 million and $1.05 million. Under the new provisions, estates exceeding $20 million would owe a fixed base tax of $2,676,400 plus 19% of the amount over that threshold. Additionally, estates falling within the $1 million to $1.05 million range would receive a $35,000 credit, which decreases by 70 cents for every dollar the estate value exceeds $1 million. These changes aim to refine the state's revenue collection from inheritance while providing relief for mid-sized estates.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts tax laws to ensure that money raised from the 2022 Fair Share Amendment is not counted as general state revenue. Specifically, it prevents the state from using funds generated by this constitutional amendment to offset or reduce the personal income tax liability of individual taxpayers. By legally separating these specific tax revenues from the broader definition of state income, the legislation aims to preserve the original intent of the amendment.
By Representative Uyterhoeven of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2960) of Erika Uyterhoeven and others for legislation to raise the estate tax threshold. Revenue.