Sen. Patrick O'Connor

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pathway for dental hygienists to obtain licensure in the state through reciprocal agreements with other countries or provinces. It allows individuals who are at least 19 years old and of good moral character to practice if they meet specific educational or experience requirements, such as graduating from an accredited program, completing a certain number of semesters as a student, or holding a valid license from a foreign jurisdiction with equivalent competency standards. The law also sets an annual fee for the examination process and requires applicants to pass a board exam covering essential dental hygiene subjects. Ultimately, the legislation expands the pool of eligible candidates by recognizing credentials from outside the state while maintaining established safety and qualification benchmarks.

By Representatives Kushmerek of Fitchburg and Diggs of Barnstable, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3075) of Michael P. Kushmerek, Kip A. Diggs and others for the issuance of an annual proclamation by the Governor to designate the fourth of February as Rosa Parks day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

Senate, January 16, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill prohibiting inhumane feline declawing (Senate, No. 190),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2552).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new licensing system for quarries that produce concrete aggregate used in foundations, requiring applicants to submit geological reports and test results to prove the absence of harmful minerals like pyrite and pyrrhotite. It creates a state agency to oversee this process, publish a public database of licensed quarries, and manage a fund to help homeowners with deteriorated foundations caused by these minerals. The legislation also imposes strict liability on unlicensed quarry operators and contractors who use non-compliant concrete, while allowing local governments to set even stricter safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to clarify definitions of key terms like biosimilars, brand name drugs, and generic drugs, ensuring consistent language for pharmaceutical regulation. It expands the scope of entities subject to oversight by including self-insured health plans and explicitly defining pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and pharmacy benefit managers. The legislation also requires pharmaceutical companies to provide early notice of new products or price increases while protecting the confidentiality of their internal business and clinical data. Additionally, it adjusts the assessment fees charged to these industries, setting a minimum rate of 25 percent of the appropriated amount.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the town charter of Marshfield to replace the gendered term "board of selectmen" with the gender-neutral phrase "select board" throughout the document. The legislation directly affects the town's official records and legal framework by updating specific sections that reference the local governing body. By systematically striking out the old terminology and inserting the new one, the bill ensures that all future references to the town's leadership are inclusive and neutral in language. Once enacted, these changes update the town's foundational laws without altering the actual powers or duties of the officials who serve on the board.

Senate, July 31, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill to promote nature-based approaches for resiliency and climate change adaptation throughout the Commonwealth (Senate, No. 458),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2922).

Maddy summaryThis law prohibits the sale or transfer of dogs and cats that are younger than eight weeks old, with each violation punishable by a fine of up to $100. It also bans the selling or trading of these animals in public places such as roadside areas, parks, flea markets, and parking lots, while allowing exceptions for licensed shelters, animal control facilities, and educational exhibitions. Local animal control officers or police are responsible for enforcing these rules, and fines increase for repeat offenses of selling animals in public spaces.

Senate, December 19, 2024 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill to increase access to blood donation (Senate, No. 1372),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft (Senate, No. 2994).

Senate, December 27, 2024 -- Report of the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two branches with reference to the House amendment to the Senate relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency (Senate, No. 2520) (amended by the House all after the enacting clause and inserting in place thereof the text of House document numbered 4910; and by striking out the title and inserting in place thereof the following title: “An Act promoting access and affordability of prescription drugs.”),-- reports, a “Bill relative to pharmaceutical access, costs and transparency” (Senate, No. 3012).