Rep. Bridget Plouffe

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the town of East Bridgewater to issue up to four additional licenses for businesses to sell alcohol for take-out (not for on-premises consumption), increasing the town's current limit under state law. It requires new applicants to prove their license is in good standing with the state tax and unemployment departments, and prohibits transferring these new licenses to new owners at the same location. All new licenses must still follow existing state rules for alcohol sales under Chapter 138. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryHD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mandatory overtime for healthcare workers in specific Massachusetts facilities, including hospitals and certain correctional facilities (excluding long-term care and most correctional settings). It allows overtime only during true emergencies with no reasonable alternatives, requires facilities to seek voluntary coverage first, and limits consecutive work to 16 hours with 8 hours off afterward. Facilities must report all mandatory overtime use to health authorities, and workers cannot face retaliation for refusing overtime beyond these limits. The law directly affects nurses, support staff, and other healthcare personnel in covered facilities, aiming to protect patient safety and staff well-being.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers, managed care organizations, and government health programs to separately reimburse licensed facilities for the costs of providing competent interpreters (for both sign language and spoken languages). It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other facilities licensed under specific Massachusetts laws that serve patients with limited English proficiency or hearing disabilities. The key provision mandates that these entities recognize and pay for interpreter services as a distinct cost, rather than bundling them into other fees. This policy change ensures facilities aren't financially burdened for providing essential language access services.

By Representative Scanlon of North Attleborough, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Adam J. Scanlon and Manny Cruz for legislation to further regulate the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops. Agriculture.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to update eligibility for veterans' bonus payments. It defines specific conflict periods (e.g., Korean Emergency: June 25, 1950-January 31, 1955) and removes the requirement that veterans must have resided in Massachusetts for six months before service. The bill expands eligibility to include veterans discharged under non-honorable conditions due to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status (based on DD-214 documentation). It also repeals outdated historical laws related to veterans' bonuses, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants, schools, sports leagues, and other public venues to purchase and keep epinephrine autoinjectors on-site to treat severe allergic reactions. To do so, these locations must get approval from the state department, ensure their staff completes specific emergency training, and store the devices in easily accessible places. Trained employees are authorized to use these injectors on anyone showing signs of anaphylaxis, even if the person does not have a personal prescription for the medication. The law also provides legal protection from lawsuits for these venues and their staff when administering the drug in good faith, while requiring them to report each use to the state for public analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases access to epinephrine for life-threatening allergic reactions by allowing pharmacists to dispense autoinjectors without a prescription under a statewide standing order, with liability protection for good-faith actions. It also shields first responders from drug possession charges when seeking medical help for anaphylaxis and permits businesses (like schools, restaurants, and sports venues) to maintain and store epinephrine supplies with staff training. Pharmacists must complete anaphylaxis recognition training, and all entities must report dispensing data anonymously to the state. The law aims to make emergency treatment more accessible while protecting those administering it.

By Representative Plouffe of Brockton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1402) of Bridget Plouffe for legislation to establish criteria for MassHealth hardship waivers. Health Care Financing.

Maddy summaryHD 584 amends a 1953 retirement law to add Plymouth County to the list of counties covered for certain employees' retirement rights. Specifically, it inserts "or the county of Plymouth" after "county of Barnstable" in the existing provision. This technical correction directly affects employees working as assistant criminal identification officers in Plymouth County, expanding their eligibility under the retirement law. The bill makes no new policy changes beyond updating the geographic scope of an existing provision.