Sen. Jason Lewis

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Opioid Stewardship Fund to help Massachusetts residents afford naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. It establishes a program where the Department of Public Health covers insurance co-pays for naloxone and other FDA-approved opioid reversal drugs, making them free or significantly cheaper for those who need them. The fund is financed by annual payments from opioid manufacturers and distributors, which are calculated based on the amount of opioids each company sells or distributes in the state. Companies must report their sales data to the Department of Public Health to determine their specific contribution amount. Money in the fund is kept separate from other state finances and can be used in future years without needing a new appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new advisory board dedicated to studying and recommending minimum standards for wages, benefits, working hours, training, and safety conditions in Massachusetts nail salons. The fifteen-member board includes government officials, business owners, labor experts, and licensed manicurists appointed by the governor and attorney general to ensure diverse representation. Once established, the board will gather data, hold research, and submit reports with policy suggestions to state legislators and labor agencies within eighteen months, though it does not have the power to adjudicate individual complaints.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill requires health insurance providers to cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment, extending the current coverage limit of 14 days. The legislation directly affects insurance companies and individuals seeking residential rehabilitation services by mandating longer coverage periods across multiple sections of state law. By updating specific lines in Chapter 258 of the 2014 acts, the bill ensures that insurance plans must financially support longer stays for those undergoing intensive substance abuse care.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Bridge Employment Training Program in Massachusetts to help individuals who have recently lost their jobs or are currently unemployed find suitable work. The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development would create this program to offer training contracts lasting up to two years, matching participants with available positions in private, non-profit, and public sectors. The initiative aims to connect job seekers with necessary skills training while coordinating resources from various public and private partners to ensure broad access to employment opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes the creation of the Massachusetts Transportation Endowment Fund to provide a stable source of financing for mass transit capital projects. It mandates an annual transfer of at least $200 million into a permanent trust, where the money can only be used for building and improving rail lines, stations, and related facilities. Once the fund's principal reaches $1 billion, the rules change to allow half of the annual contribution and half of the investment income to be used for construction, while the other half grows the principal. The legislation also establishes a nine-member Capital Project Approval Board composed of state officials to review, prioritize, and oversee these projects, with the board required to publish an annual report on its financial status and decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to streamline access to gender-affirming health care for transgender and non-binary individuals. It prohibits insurance companies, healthcare divisions, and other regulated entities from rejecting a single letter from a qualified mental health professional that confirms the medical necessity of such care. The legislation defines a qualified professional as one who meets specific training standards set by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. By limiting the documentation required to one letter, the bill aims to reduce administrative barriers and ensure that individuals can receive necessary treatments without facing unnecessary delays or denials.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an agricultural healthy incentives program in Massachusetts that directly affects Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The program would allow these individuals to receive a matching benefit on their EBT cards when they purchase fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruits and vegetables at participating vendors. The Department of Transitional Assistance, in partnership with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health, would operate the program and set specific spending limits. This initiative aims to encourage healthier food choices among low-income families by providing financial incentives for buying produce.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens local food systems in Massachusetts by requiring the state emergency management agency to create plans that support agricultural and food production during supply chain disruptions. It establishes a full-time food system coordinator within the state council to oversee existing programs, track progress, and improve collaboration between different government departments. Additionally, the bill creates a non-enforcement circuit rider program to provide free on-site guidance to farmers about regulations and funding opportunities. These measures aim to improve resilience against food shortages and better support local producers through dedicated coordination and assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for in-state tuition rates and state financial aid at Massachusetts public colleges and universities to high school graduates who have attended and graduated from a local high school for at least three years, regardless of their immigration status. It specifically excludes nonimmigrant aliens on certain federal visa categories and the University of Massachusetts Medical School and School of Law from these provisions. To qualify, eligible students must provide proof of their social security or taxpayer identification number, documentation of selective service registration if applicable, and an affidavit stating their intent to apply for citizenship or legal permanent residence within 120 days. The legislation clarifies that these students cannot be denied in-state benefits based on their eligibility under this new rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program in Massachusetts that matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits when recipients buy fruits and vegetables. The Department of Transitional Assistance will run this initiative alongside the Departments of Agricultural Resources and Public Health to encourage healthier food choices among SNAP users. A dedicated state fund will be established to finance these matching benefits through various sources, including federal grants and private donations. The program specifically applies to purchases at participating vendors and covers fresh, canned, dried, or frozen produce.