Sen. Bruce Tarr

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover colorectal cancer screening for all insured individuals starting at age 45. It mandates that these screenings, which include various tests like colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopy, be provided without any co-pays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs. The law applies to employees of the state, private health insurance policies, and hospital service plans, ensuring broad access to early detection services. By removing financial barriers, the legislation aims to facilitate regular screening for colorectal cancer in adults under 50.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Occupational Therapy Interstate Licensure Compact in Massachusetts, allowing licensed occupational therapists and assistants to practice in other member states with a single, multi-state license. Under this system, a practitioner's home state remains their primary licensing authority, while other states grant temporary "compact privileges" that function like full licenses for practicing in those locations. The legislation creates a national data system to track license status and adverse actions, ensuring that disciplinary issues in one state are visible to all participating states. To join the compact, Massachusetts would need to update its existing occupational therapy laws to align with the compact's standards and requirements.

Senate, May 23, 2024 -- Text of amendment (802) (offered by Senator Montigny) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 4) to the House Bill making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 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.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows motor vehicle insurance companies in Massachusetts to offer discounts to licensed drivers who complete a specific marijuana impairment education course. The course must be approved by the insurance commissioner and include a module on the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana. It is offered by accredited driving schools or insurance companies and gives insurers the option, rather than a requirement, to provide these savings.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipal emergency management vehicles in Massachusetts to display flashing green lights when responding to emergencies, provided they have a specific permit from the state registrar. The law requires that these green lights be used only during active emergency responses and mandates that the vehicle owner or operator carry the permit at all times. Local officials must apply for a permit on behalf of the vehicle, and the registrar can revoke the permit if the lights are used improperly or if the emergency duty ends. Any violation of these rules regarding the unauthorized use of green lights can result in a fine between $100 and $300.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an Educational Mandate Task Force to review state laws and regulations that impose requirements on public schools and districts in Massachusetts. The task force will consist of eleven members, including legislative leaders, the state superintendent of education, and representatives from various school administration associations. Its primary goal is to identify outdated, duplicative, or inconsistent mandates and reporting forms, with a specific aim to streamline these processes and potentially create a single master reporting form. The group must hold at least one public hearing and submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the legislature within 12 months of its first meeting.

Senat, May 13,2024 -- The committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1589) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to the use of green lights for municipal emergency management vehicles, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2772).

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill updates state laws to ensure equal legal rights for all children regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or how the child was conceived. It removes outdated language referring to "children born out of wedlock" and establishes a clear policy that every child has the same protections under the law. The legislation defines parentage through various means, including birth, adoption, court orders, and assisted reproduction, while also updating terminology to be gender-neutral. A key provision prevents a presumed parent's legal status from being challenged after the child turns two unless specific conditions, such as lack of genetic connection or multiple presumed parents, are proven.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws regarding parentage to ensure all children receive equal legal protections regardless of their parents' marital status, gender, or the circumstances of their birth, including assisted reproduction and surrogacy. The legislation replaces gendered terms like "man and woman" and "father" with gender-neutral language such as "people" and "other parent," while also updating references from "paternity" to "parentage" throughout the relevant statutes. By removing distinctions based on whether a child was born out of wedlock and clarifying who qualifies as a parent, the act aims to create a more inclusive legal framework that recognizes diverse family structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the term "children born out of wedlock" and replace it with "nonmarital children and parentage of children," aiming to ensure all children receive equal legal rights regardless of their parents' marital status. It establishes a public policy that every child must have the same protections under the law, irrespective of the parents' gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. By updating the title of Chapter 209C and adding a new section, the legislation seeks to eliminate legal distinctions based on how a child was conceived or the family structure of their parents.