Sen. Vanna Howard

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Downtown Vitality Fund to support local commercial districts and small businesses across Massachusetts. The fund will be financed by a dedicated 5% tax on sales made by remote retailers, such as online marketplaces. Money from the fund will be used to provide grants and technical assistance to establish or strengthen district management organizations, with a focus on helping small businesses in gateway cities and low-income areas. A new 15-member advisory board will be appointed to guide the program, and the state agency will be required to report annually on how the grants are distributed.

By Representative Cabral of New Bedford, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Antonio F. D. Cabral and others relative to requiring school attendance up to age 18 or until graduation. Education.

March 14, 2024 -- The committee on Public Health, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1380) of Adam Gomez, Vanna Howard, Jack Patrick Lewis, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation to strengthen our public health infrastructure to address alzheimer’s and all dementia; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2178) of Denise C. Garlick and others for legislation to strengthen the public health infrastructure to address Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2683).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Medical Debt Protection Act to shield patients and their families from aggressive debt collection practices. It prohibits medical providers and collectors from using severe measures like arrests, property liens, or wage garnishments until at least 180 days after the first bill is sent. The law also stops creditors from reporting unpaid medical bills to credit agencies or selling debts while an insurance appeal is pending, and it caps interest rates on medical debt at a low percentage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows professional guardians to be paid by the state to provide medical care for people who have lost the ability to make their own healthcare decisions. It defines guardians as eligible providers for medical assistance programs while explicitly excluding immediate family members like spouses and children from this role. The legislation also sets up a system to determine fair payment rates for these guardians based on local market costs and inflation, and it adds rules to prevent double payment by ensuring the state does not cover medical bills that should be paid by private health insurance. Additionally, the bill requires guardians to report any medical claims they submit to the court as part of their annual reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Science Advisory Board to help Massachusetts regulate emerging contaminants in public drinking water systems. The board will consist of 13 members appointed by the Governor, including representatives from state agencies, water utilities, and various health and environmental organizations. To regulate a new substance, both the board and the state Department of Environmental Protection must agree that the contaminant poses a health risk and that reducing it is feasible. The board is required to base its decisions on peer-reviewed scientific studies and must provide a detailed analysis explaining which studies it considered and why.

By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2339) of James K. Hawkins and others relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

By Representative Ultrino of Malden, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3455) of Steven Ultrino and Vanna Howard relative to license reinstatement fees for drivers without a conviction. Transportation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires anyone transporting solid waste within Massachusetts to cover the waste with a hard top or a biodegradable seal that hardens after application. The rule applies to all vehicles, trains, barges, ships, and scows moving waste originating from the state. The Department of Environmental Protection, working with the Department of Transportation, will create specific regulations to enforce this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Climate and Community Resilience Fund to support climate change efforts, with a specific focus on low-income communities and areas facing environmental injustices. The fund will be financed through property insurance fees, state appropriations, bonds, investment income, and external donations, while unspent money will carry over to the next fiscal year rather than returning to the general budget. An eleven-member independent board, required to reflect the state's racial, ethnic, geographic, and economic diversity, will oversee the fund's administration. This board will include representatives from community-based organizations and experts in fields such as environmental justice, housing, and public health to guide how the money is spent.