Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program within the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to support nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of experiencing hate crimes. The funding is intended to help these groups improve the mental health training of their staff and expand supportive services for the communities they serve. Eligible nonprofits can use the grants for specific activities such as mental health first aid training, culturally responsive referral systems, and community education to reduce stigma. The program will distribute funds equitably across the state, aligning allocations with recent hate crime data, and requires the department to submit a detailed report on the grants within six months of the first distribution.
Rep. Jack Lewis
Sponsored bills
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2366) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to prosecution for the sale of illegal firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2365) of David Paul Linsky and others for legislation to require that firearms safety courses provide live fire practice for firearms licenses. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2361) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to banning semi-automatic firearms. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Linsky of Natick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2367) of David Paul Linsky and others relative to universal background checks for private gun sales. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Representative Lewis of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3518) of Jack Patrick Lewis and others relative to further regulating bonus eligibility for veterans. Veterans and Federal Affairs.
By Representatives Lewis of Framingham and Montaño of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2357) of Jack Patrick Lewis, Samantha Montaño and others for legislation to promote rehabilitation including guaranteed health, treatment and safety for incarcerated LGBTQI+ persons. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Massachusetts insurer's insolvency fund to explicitly include cybersecurity insurance policies that cover data breaches and related digital threats. It directly affects property and casualty insurers and policyholders by expanding the scope of coverage under the state's existing financial protection rules. The legislation clarifies definitions for terms like "affiliate" and "covered claim" to ensure the fund protects residents and local businesses while excluding certain insurance types like life, health, and government-backed policies. Additionally, the bill specifies that affiliates of an insolvent insurer cannot file claims against the fund, preventing potential conflicts of interest. These changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework to address emerging risks in the insurance market.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to require that the state's group insurance commission cover biomarker testing for employees and retirees. The legislation defines biomarker testing as the analysis of a patient's biological samples to identify indicators of disease or drug response and mandates coverage when such tests are supported by FDA approvals, federal Medicare decisions, or nationally recognized clinical guidelines. By establishing these specific criteria, the bill aims to ensure that insured individuals have access to necessary diagnostic tools that help doctors determine the most appropriate therapy for their conditions.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve access to biomarker testing for cancer patients in Massachusetts to help them receive the most appropriate therapy. It requires health insurers to cover the cost of these specific tests without imposing additional restrictions or requiring prior authorization beyond what is already standard for other medical services. The legislation directly affects cancer patients, their families, and health insurance providers by ensuring that necessary diagnostic tools are financially accessible. By removing barriers to testing, the bill seeks to facilitate better treatment decisions based on individual patient biology.