Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public higher education institutions in Massachusetts to provide financial literacy counseling to all accepted students before they arrive on campus. The counseling must cover student loans and all education expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and transportation, along with available financial aid options like grants and work-study. Institutions must also offer a standardized college financing plan developed by federal agencies (CFPB and U.S. Department of Education), which details estimated costs and funding sources. The plan can be provided electronically in printable format, and the Board of Higher Education is authorized to create rules for implementation. This directly affects public colleges and their incoming students.

By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 84) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., and others for legislation to provide for an investigation by a special task force (including members of the General Court) relative to the use of the Internet by sex offenders. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 155) of Joan B. Lovely, Sean Garballey, Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to supported decision-making agreements for certain adults with disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a task force to update certification and training standards for sexual assault counselors in Massachusetts. The task force, including state officials, advocacy groups, and survivor representatives, will study specific changes like training hours, certification levels, fees, and whether to establish licensure for rape crisis centers. It will focus on updating definitions, curriculum requirements, and feasibility of continuing education credits. The task force must submit its recommendations, including proposed legislation, to state lawmakers within one year. This directly affects sexual assault counselors, rape crisis centers, and their employees and volunteers by aiming to improve professional standards.

Maddy summaryHD 605 establishes a 17-member commission to study service animal misuse in Massachusetts. The commission - including legislative leaders, disability advocates, law enforcement, business representatives, and experts - will examine current laws, investigate fraud/misrepresentation of service animals, and research solutions from other states. It will specifically assess whether to change definitions of "service animal" or create certification systems, and report findings by April 2026. This bill does not change current law but aims to inform future policy based on the commission's recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts county sheriffs' offices to reclassify correction and jail officers into job titles matching the state Department of Correction's structure (Correction Officer I/II/III and Jail Officer I/II/III). It mandates that these officers' base salaries gradually equalize with Department of Correction rates over three fiscal years through annual increases. During this three-year period, sheriffs are exempt from negotiating base pay with unions under labor law but must still honor existing collective bargaining agreements. The bill directly affects approximately 1,200 correction and jail officers across 14 county sheriff offices. After the three years, normal labor negotiations for base salaries resume.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public schools to maintain a stock of non-patient-specific epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPens) for emergency use in treating severe allergic reactions in any student. Schools must store the auto-injectors in accessible locations, ensure adequate quantities based on student population, and train staff on proper administration, including using dose calculation tools. The Department of Public Health will establish regulations for storage, training, and regular inventory checks to monitor expiration dates. School staff who administer epinephrine in good faith during an emergency are protected from civil liability, and the cost will be covered by a surcharge on insurance payors as defined by existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Massachusetts schools to maintain a stock supply of non-patient-specific epinephrine auto-injectors for immediate use during severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It mandates schools to store the medication in accessible locations, determine appropriate quantities based on student population, train authorized staff, and regularly check expiration dates. The law also provides legal immunity for school staff who administer epinephrine in good faith during emergencies, protecting them and their school districts from civil liability. Additionally, the health and education departments must seek federal funding or free epinephrine from pharmaceutical companies to support implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Massachusetts to follow specific rules when setting reimbursement rates for pharmacies. PBMs must ensure drugs on their cost lists are therapeutically equivalent, widely available from wholesalers, and not obsolete. Pharmacies can appeal underpayments through a formal process, with PBMs required to respond within 7 business days and adjust rates if appeals are upheld. The law directly affects pharmacies and PBMs, preventing PBMs from reimbursing pharmacies less than what they pay their own affiliated pharmacies for identical services.

Maddy summaryHD 2293 amends Massachusetts General Laws to require building inspectors to also conduct plumbing and gas fitting inspections. This bill directly affects licensed building inspectors who now have expanded responsibilities under state law. The key provision adds "plumbing inspection" and "gas fitting inspection" to the list of duties inspectors must perform, modifying section 4J(b) of Chapter 40. The change clarifies that inspectors must oversee these specific trades during building inspections, streamlining oversight for related construction work.