By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 867) of Cindy F. Friedman, Rebecca L. Rausch, Joanne M. Comerford and Mike Connolly for legislation relative to primary care for you. Health Care Financing.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits discrimination against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It requires insurers and drug distributors to pay 340B-covered entities (like community health centers and safety-net hospitals) and their contract pharmacies the same rate as non-340B providers for covered drugs, without imposing special requirements or modifiers for 340B drugs. The law also protects patients' choice to receive 340B drugs from participating providers without interference. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Massachusetts law, enforced by the Attorney General and pharmacy board. The bill directly affects 340B program participants, their pharmacy partners, insurers, and drug manufacturers/distributors operating in Massachusetts.
Senate, June 1, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative to advancing the profession of commercial interior design (Senate, No. 3107),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 3107).
Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 686) changes how the state calculates income for veterans applying for certain Commonwealth services. It specifically excludes veterans' disability benefit payments from being counted as income when determining eligibility for state programs like housing assistance, food aid, or other support services. The key provision, found in Section 1, amends existing law to ensure these benefits do not reduce a veteran's access to other state services they qualify for based on income. This directly affects veterans receiving disability payments who apply for additional state assistance programs.
Senate, October 9, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 254) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to advance the profession of commercial interior design, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2620).
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts courts to deny or terminate alimony payments to spouses convicted of spousal abuse. It directly protects survivors of abuse (who no longer face alimony obligations from abusive partners) and removes alimony eligibility for abusive spouses. Key provisions mandate courts to automatically refuse alimony in new cases involving abuse convictions and end existing alimony payments if a spouse later receives such a conviction. The law also allows former alimony payers to petition courts to terminate ongoing payments to abusive spouses.
Senate, May 18, 2026 -- The committee on Labor and Workforce Development to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1303) of Lydia Edwards, Paul W. Mark and Vanna Howard for legislation to provide opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 3076).
By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 819) of Pavel M. Payano and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to prohibit discrimination against 340b drug discount program participants. Financial Services.
By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1502) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis and Steven George Xiarhos for legislation to remove barriers to care for physician assistants. Public Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors working on Massachusetts construction projects exceeding $1 million to gradually increase the proportion of work performed by apprentices in approved training programs. Starting six months after the bill's passage, 5% of the total hourly work must be done by apprentices, rising to 10% after one year and 15% after two years. It applies to all employees directly on-site who receive hourly wages and are subject to prevailing wage laws. The requirement covers projects where contractors or subcontractors are directly employing workers, aiming to expand apprenticeship opportunities within the construction industry.
