Sen. Vanna Howard

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts plumbing codes to establish guidelines for greywater recycling systems in multi-family buildings that use less than 3,000 gallons of water per day. It defines greywater as wastewater from sinks, showers, and washing machines, explicitly excluding toilet waste and hazardous substances, and allows its reuse for toilet flushing and subsurface irrigation. Local boards of health are authorized to implement and enforce these regulations, including the ability to charge fees for permits, while ensuring that greywater systems do not replace required sewer connections. The legislation aims to encourage water conservation and cost savings without altering existing requirements for blackwater disposal or public sewer connections.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance providers in Massachusetts to cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment, increasing the current mandatory coverage from 14 days. The legislation directly affects health insurance companies and individuals seeking residential addiction care by mandating longer stays under existing state laws. It achieves this change by amending multiple sections of the Massachusetts General Laws to replace the number 14 with 30 across various insurance and health care statutes.

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 requires school districts in Massachusetts to grant nonvoting, ex-officio seats on their school committees to representatives from English Language Learner Parent Advisory Councils and Special Education Parent Advisory Councils. Under the new rules, these councils must annually elect one member each to serve without pay, and the representatives must notify the school committee of their selection within 30 days. While these members can participate in regular committee meetings, they are not allowed to attend executive sessions unless the school committee explicitly grants them that right. The law applies to districts that are already mandated to establish these advisory councils under existing state regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires insurance companies in Massachusetts to cover autism-related benefits for dependents of policyholders, regardless of the dependent's age. It mandates that various types of health plans, including group policies, hospital service agreements, and health maintenance contracts, must include these specific coverage provisions. The legislation also updates the legal definition of an "eligible dependent" to ensure that children with autism spectrum disorders remain covered by their parents' insurance plans even after turning twenty-six. These changes apply to policies delivered, issued, or renewed within the state, with exceptions for stand-alone dental services and government programs like Medicare.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private special education schools that receive state funding to publish annual reports detailing student achievement data and submit audited financial statements to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It also mandates that these schools provide copies of their audit reports to the specific school districts that enrolled their students. Additionally, the legislation directs the state secretary of education to study and recommend improvements for overseeing private special education programs, including how to better collect data on educational programming and services. The bill further adjusts construction funding rules to give priority and incentive points to projects that create space for in-district special education programs. Finally, it clarifies that data sharing between the departments of early education and care and elementary and secondary education is permitted only for residential programs approved by both agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to collect and publish detailed data on student outcomes and special education services. The law mandates that schools report information broken down by race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, English learner status, and disability category to help identify and address educational inequities. Additionally, the bill expands the types of special education services that must be tracked, including assistive technology and behavioral supports, provided the state supplies an online tool to facilitate this reporting. By making this data publicly available in an easy-to-use format, the legislation aims to ensure that all students have equitable access to education and necessary support services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover specific preventative services without charging co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles starting in 2025. The coverage must include evidence-based screenings and immunizations recommended by federal health authorities for children, adults, and women. Insurance companies are allowed to offer additional preventative benefits but are not required to cover services that fall outside these established guidelines. The state insurance division will issue guidance to help enforce these new requirements within 90 days of the law taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to strengthen consumer protections for dental insurance plans by requiring carriers to report specific cost data. It mandates that insurance companies submit information on annual benefit maximums and out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles, to the state commissioner. Additionally, the legislation gives the commissioner authority to reject proposed rate increases if they are found to cause unreasonable or excessive rises in the costs paid by policyholders. These changes directly affect dental insurance providers and the individuals enrolled in their plans by increasing transparency and oversight over pricing structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Special Education Financing Commission to review and recommend changes to how Massachusetts funds special education services for students with disabilities. The commission will include leaders from the state government, legislature, and various education and advocacy organizations to evaluate the current funding system against nine specific goals, such as ensuring equitable support for districts with more students or fewer local resources. To gather input, the commission must hold at least four public hearings across the state before submitting its final recommendations to the General Court. The legislation aims to create a more stable and fair funding structure without altering the existing laws or creating new mandates for immediate implementation.