Sen. Cindy Friedman

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1937) of Joanne M. Comerford, Adam Gomez, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to grant a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing. Revenue.

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2153) of Cindy F. Friedman, Sean Garballey, Michael J. Barrett and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1543) of Cindy F. Friedman and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to establish a nursing workforce center at the University of Massachusetts medical school in Worcester. Public Health.

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2010) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to taxes due upon the death of active duty personnel and the elderly. Revenue.

By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2740) of Michelle L. Ciccolo, Cindy F. Friedman and Michael J. Barrett (by vote of the town) that the town of Lexington be authorized to establish a surcharge on specific commercial development activities for the purpose of funding the creation of community housing. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

By Representative Garballey of Arlington and Senator Friedman, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4027) of Sean Garballey, Cindy F. Friedman and David M. Rogers (by vote of the town) for legislation to allow print free digital legal notices for the town of Arlington. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

By Representative Garballey of Arlington and Senator Friedman, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4028) of Sean Garballey, Cindy F. Friedman and David M. Rogers (by vote of the town) that the town of Arlington be exempt from certain provisions of the civil service law relative to the recruitment and hiring of full time permanent police officers. Public Service. [Local Approval Received.]

By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4650) of Michelle L. Ciccolo, Cindy F. Friedman and Michael J. Barrett (by vote of the town) that the town of Lexington be authorized to satisfy legal notice requirements by digital publication. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

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.

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).