Rep. Jack Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special legislative commission to study challenges facing public libraries and their digital resource collections. The commission will investigate costs, consumer satisfaction, privacy concerns, and how licensing for digital materials differs from traditional print resources. It will also review actions taken by other states and make recommendations to support diverse collections and protect patron data. Additionally, the bill prohibits library contracts from restricting the sharing of license terms or requiring libraries to violate patron confidentiality, labeling such violations as unfair business practices. The commission is set to submit its findings and recommendations by October 15, 2025.

By Representative Moran of Boston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John Francis Moran and others relative to the right of students to freedom of expression in public schools. Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts education laws to update high school graduation requirements and improve support for struggling schools. It establishes a new competency determination based on mastery of core skills in math, science, technology, and English, allowing districts to include history, social science, and foreign languages. Students who do not meet these standards would receive an educational assistance plan to help them achieve mastery, while parents would have the chance to review these plans. Additionally, the bill changes how schools identified for comprehensive support are selected, requiring that student growth be weighted as heavily as student achievement in the evaluation formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows mutual banks and credit unions to merge into a single credit union with approval from their boards and the state commissioner. It also permits mutual banks to convert into credit unions, requiring depositors to become members within two years and mandating the disposal of non-permissible assets. Additionally, the legislation expands the types of investments credit unions can make, including asset-backed securities and services from other financial entities, while enabling credit unions to merge with various types of savings and cooperative banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered pharmacists in Massachusetts to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral contraceptives without requiring a prior prescription from a doctor. To ensure safety, pharmacists would need to complete specific training, use a risk assessment tool with the patient, and refer the individual to a primary care provider after the transaction. The legislation also mandates that pharmacists provide a written record of the prescription and prohibits requiring patients to schedule an appointment for this service. These changes aim to increase access to birth control by enabling pharmacists to directly provide these medications to anyone who needs them.

By Representative Philips of Sharon, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2250) of Edward R. Philips and others for legislation to improve outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest by providing additional safeguards and resources. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information Analysis, to conduct a comprehensive study on access to essential health services. The study will analyze current hospital capacity, the impact of recent service discontinuations and closures since 1992, and projected regional needs over the next decade. It will also investigate financial factors that threaten service availability, review successful strategies from other states, and propose policy changes to ensure continued access to care across the Commonwealth.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every high school in Massachusetts that offers interscholastic sports to employ a licensed athletic trainer. It also mandates that any athletic trainer or coach providing head injury safety training must complete annual certification. Additionally, the law updates terminology to explicitly include athletic trainers alongside coaches in relevant sections of existing statutes. These changes aim to improve student safety by ensuring professional medical oversight during school sports activities.

By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2281) of Andres X. Vargas and others relative to the development and posting of guidelines and other relevant materials to inform and educate students about the symptoms and warning signs of heart disease. Public Health.

By Representative Garballey of Arlington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2174) of Sean Garballey and others relative to liability protection for disaster volunteers. Public Health.