Sen. Bruce Tarr

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new drug access program in Massachusetts to improve coverage for specific high-value medications used to treat chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. It mandates that the state secretary of health and human services identify one generic and one brand-name drug for each of these conditions based on clinical evidence and cost-effectiveness, while explicitly designating insulin as the covered diabetes treatment. The program requires health plans to cover these selected drugs without requiring prior authorization or step therapy, aiming to reduce costs and improve patient adherence. Additionally, the legislation sets up a requirement to evaluate the program's impact on treatment adherence and healthcare costs every two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workplace protections for domestic violence victims by granting them up to 15 days of leave per year specifically to address abuse. It directly affects contract workers, who are individuals performing services for an employer but are not classified as traditional employees under current state law. The leave can be used for activities such as seeking medical care, obtaining legal assistance, securing housing, or attending court proceedings related to the abuse. While the bill mandates this time off, it leaves the decision regarding whether the leave is paid or unpaid entirely to the employer. Additionally, the law requires workers to provide advance notice unless there is an immediate threat to their safety, in which case they must notify their employer within three workdays.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a mandatory educational diversion program for Massachusetts teens accused of sharing explicit images, commonly known as sexting. Instead of facing immediate court charges, eligible youth will be referred to a curriculum developed by the Child Advocate that explains legal penalties, potential social consequences, and the risks of online sharing. The program aims to divert these cases from the formal justice system by requiring participants to complete the educational course before any arraignment occurs, unless a judge determines that proceeding is necessary to prevent serious harm. Additionally, the bill encourages schools to teach media literacy skills and allows law enforcement officials to refer alleged offenders directly to this educational intervention.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic violence in Massachusetts to include specific behaviors like coercive control and technological abuse. It clarifies that coercive control involves patterns of intimidation, isolation, or financial monitoring, while technological abuse covers actions such as cyberstalking, nonconsensual sharing of images, and electronic surveillance. The legislation also explicitly lists examples such as threatening deportation based on immigration status or forcing someone into criminal activity as forms of abuse. By updating these definitions, the law aims to provide clearer grounds for victims to seek protection orders against a wider range of harmful behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a mandatory educational diversion program for teenagers accused of sharing indecent images, commonly known as sexting. Instead of immediately facing criminal charges, eligible students would be required to complete a course that explains the legal penalties, social consequences, and long-term risks associated with posting such images online. The program is designed to be administered by the Attorney General in partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and would be integrated into existing juvenile justice processes. If a student fails to finish the required education, the court can then proceed with standard legal proceedings against them. Additionally, the bill encourages schools to teach media literacy skills to help students better understand and navigate digital content.

Maddy summaryThis bill, introduced by Representative James K. Hawkins, aims to update regulations regarding the use of pesticides in Massachusetts. It directly affects agricultural operations, pest control companies, and individuals who apply chemical treatments to manage insects or weeds. The legislation seeks to establish clearer standards for pesticide application, storage, and disposal to ensure public safety and environmental protection. By modernizing existing rules, the bill intends to provide a more robust framework for managing chemical substances across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts pesticide regulations to require schools, child care centers, and universities to prioritize using safer pest control products. It mandates that these facilities use pesticides classified as exempt by the EPA or those containing only ingredients approved for organic farming, unless a hardship waiver is granted. The legislation also modernizes reporting requirements by specifying that certain records must be submitted electronically through a state portal.

Senate, May 24, 2023 -- Text of amendment (825) (offered by Senator Fattman) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3) to the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2024 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements.

Senate, May 8, 2023 -- (Filed by Mr. Tarr) Order relative to the calling of a proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to require a supermajority vote for the utilization of rainy day funds.

Senate, May 8, 2023 -- (Filed by Mr. Tarr) Order relative to the calling of a proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to cap the state income tax.