Sen. Patrick O'Connor

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the language used in Massachusetts state law to refer to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It replaces older terms like "handicapped" and "autistic" with more modern and respectful phrasing such as "persons with disabilities" and "individuals with disabilities." The changes apply to various sections of the General Laws that govern employment, services, and support for people with disabilities. By updating these specific legal definitions, the bill ensures that official state documents use current terminology when discussing this population.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to protect residents with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other psychiatric illnesses from involuntary transfers. Specifically, it prohibits healthcare facilities from moving these patients off-site for medication adjustments unless they have explicit approval from the patient, their guardian, or their legal representative. The law applies to both nursing homes and other residential care facilities covered under the relevant state chapters. By requiring consent before such transfers, the legislation aims to ensure that vulnerable individuals are not relocated without proper authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to create new regulations for preventing death and disability from stroke within 180 days. It requires the department to establish a statewide standard protocol for emergency medical services to assess, treat, and transport stroke patients to designated hospitals. Additionally, the bill mandates a tiered system for designating hospitals based on their ability to handle different levels of stroke severity, using national criteria and prohibiting self-designation. The regulations must also include quality measures for stroke care and consider geographic differences and facility capabilities when determining patient destinations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a voluntary training program for medical and allied health students to improve their care of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. The Department of Public Health will work with The Arc of Massachusetts to develop this curriculum, which builds on an existing initiative called Operation House Call. To earn certification, participating schools must offer the training as an optional course that includes at least six hours of instruction covering best practices and diverse patient needs. The department will then publish an annual list of schools that have successfully completed the program and meet established standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to conduct a comprehensive study on synthetic drugs, including substances like fentanyl, synthetic cocaine, and synthetic marijuana. The study will gather data on the prevalence, usage patterns, and physical, mental, and emotional impacts of these drugs on the state's residents. Based on its findings, the department must develop strategic recommendations and draft potential legislation aimed at reducing drug use through public awareness campaigns, educational programs, and rehabilitative therapies. The final report, which will include these recommendations and legislative drafts, is required to be submitted to the state legislature by December 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to allow individuals who need supervision and cueing to perform daily tasks to participate in the Personal Care Attendant program. It specifically targets people who are currently eligible for the program but require assistance with two or more activities of daily living due to their need for guidance. The legislation directs the relevant state division to update its standards and regulations to formally include these individuals as eligible members. By making this change, the bill aims to expand access to support services for a specific group of residents who previously might have been excluded from the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies to study the potential benefits of creating a state-level New Markets Tax Credit program for Massachusetts. The study will examine how such a program could encourage private investment in low-income communities by allowing community development entities to make loans and investments in local businesses. It will also review the success of similar programs in 14 other states and must be completed by July 1, 2024. The legislation does not yet create the tax credit itself but establishes a process to evaluate its feasibility before any further action is taken.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program in Massachusetts to provide diapers to low-income families with infants and young children. It establishes a dedicated trust fund that will be financed through state appropriations, interest, and unrestricted private donations to support diaper distribution organizations. The Department of Public Health will award grants to up to 12 applicants across the state's regions to purchase, store, and distribute diapers, with a requirement to report on the program's impact after one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program called the Positive Social Norms Marketing Program to help schools prevent substance use. Funded by the state Department of Public Health in partnership with the Department of Education, the program will provide money to school districts for evidence-based marketing campaigns. These campaigns aim to change student behavior by highlighting the reality that most peers do not use drugs or alcohol, countering the false belief that such use is common. The Department of Public Health will also set specific rules for how these campaigns must be designed and implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to allow communities along the coast to use their existing preservation funds for repairing and maintaining shoreline infrastructure. Specifically, it directs that at least 10 percent of these funds must be used for projects like beach nourishment, dune restoration, and seawall maintenance in areas that adopt the new rules. The change applies directly to coastal towns that choose to follow the act's requirements, ensuring a dedicated portion of their preservation money supports critical coastal defenses. By updating the legal framework, the legislation provides a clear mechanism for local governments to allocate resources toward protecting public infrastructure from erosion and storm damage.