Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Board of Registration of Recovery Coaches within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to oversee the licensure of recovery coaches. The board will consist of twelve appointed members representing diverse backgrounds, including individuals with lived experience of substance use disorder, healthcare professionals, and family members. Key provisions include defining a licensed recovery coach as someone who uses mutual empowerment to help others recover, setting up a three-year term structure for board members, and granting the board authority to create regulations and process licensure applications. Ultimately, the legislation creates a formal regulatory framework to ensure that recovery coaches meet specific standards and operate under a recognized title.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program to help property owners address health and safety issues in their residential buildings. It directly affects owner-occupants and landlords who own properties with problems such as mold, lead, pests, or conditions that block energy efficiency upgrades. The program would allow eligible applicants to receive financial assistance for necessary repairs, with specific income limits and property size definitions determining who qualifies. By amending existing housing laws, the legislation establishes a formal framework for distributing funds to improve living conditions and reduce utility costs for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to establish specific definitions for air pollutants and filtration systems, focusing on improving air quality for communities disproportionately affected by pollution. It creates legal terms for "black carbon," "environmental justice populations," and high-efficiency air filters like HEPA and MERV 16 systems to standardize how these issues are discussed and regulated. By clarifying these technical concepts within existing statutes, the legislation provides a clearer framework for future policies aimed at reducing harmful particulate matter in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new technical advisory committee to identify communities with high exposure to traffic-related air pollution and establish specific definitions for pollutants like black carbon and ultrafine particles. The Department of Environmental Protection is required to install at least eight new air monitors in these identified hotspots by June 2026 and make the data publicly available. Additionally, the law mandates that the department establish baseline air quality measurements for these areas by June 2027 to better track pollution levels. These changes directly affect residents living near major highways and aim to improve air quality monitoring in areas burdened by pollution.

March 11, 2024 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1382) of Patricia D. Jehlen, Vanna Howard, Sal N. DiDomenico, Rebecca L. Rausch and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve outdoor and indoor air quality for communities burdened by transportation pollution; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2131) of Christine P. Barber, Mike Connolly and others for legislation to improve outdoor and indoor air quality for communities burdened by pollution, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2682).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Medical Advisory Board to oversee the evaluation of drivers who need special medical conditions to operate a vehicle. The board will consist of fifteen medical professionals, including physicians and optometrists, who will review applications from people whose licenses were previously suspended or revoked due to health issues. Key provisions require the board to closely examine an applicant's driving and criminal history before recommending whether to grant a license with specific conditions, such as proof of ongoing medical management. Additionally, the board is authorized to issue exemptions for drivers with light-sensitive vision, allowing them to operate vehicles with specially treated windows. The registrar of motor vehicles will use the board's recommendations to either deny or conditionally approve these applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to regularly review EZ-Pass accounts that have accumulated over $100 in unpaid toll fees and fines. To address these balances, the department must contact account holders at least once a month using multiple methods, such as checking address registries, sending emails, and making phone calls. The legislation aims to ensure drivers receive timely notifications about their account status and are informed of the steps needed to resolve their outstanding debts.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands tuition and fee waivers in Massachusetts to cover children who are under a legal guardianship and are living with a grandparent or other relative, excluding parents. The program specifically targets residents who reach age 18 or enroll in a Massachusetts college while in this living arrangement, allowing them to receive financial assistance for their education. Financial responsibility for these waivers falls to the state government rather than the colleges, but only after all available federal funding sources have been used up.