Sen. Adam Gómez

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board in Massachusetts to improve services and policy for people with brain injuries and their families. The board will be made up of state officials, healthcare leaders, and eight community members, including individuals with brain injuries and their caregivers. Its main job is to review how well current services are working, study the needs of affected individuals, and offer advice on state funding and public policy. The board must meet at least every three months and submit a report every two years to government leaders detailing its findings and recommendations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover diagnostic breast cancer exams and digital breast tomosynthesis screenings with the same financial terms as standard mammograms. The law specifically applies to state employee group insurance and Medicaid managed care plans, prohibiting any increase in patient cost-sharing such as deductibles or copayments for these services. Additionally, it creates an exemption for high-deductible health plans that qualify for Health Savings Accounts, allowing them to maintain their tax status while still adhering to state preventive care requirements. By mandating equal coverage for advanced screening technologies, the legislation aims to improve early detection access without adding financial barriers for patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Ollie's Law, aims to improve safety standards for dog kennels in Massachusetts by expanding the definition of regulated facilities and mandating new licensing and care requirements. It reclassifies personal kennels to include those with five or more dogs and introduces a new category for "personal breeder kennels," which are defined as operations with three or more intact female dogs kept for breeding and selling puppies. Under the law, all kennels must obtain a license, and the state department is required to create detailed rules covering staff-to-animal ratios, housing conditions, nutrition, and veterinary care. Additionally, the bill mandates that kennels report any injuries to animals or people and requires the department to make investigative reports publicly available online.

April 18, 2024 -- The committee on Municipalities and Regional Government to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1309) of Mark C. Montigny, Adam Gomez, Jacob R. Oliveira, Jack Patrick Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to increase kennel safety aka Ollie’s Law, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2731).

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10-year pilot program in Massachusetts to establish overdose prevention centers where individuals can consume pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of trained staff. These centers are designed to reduce disease transmission and prevent fatal overdoses by offering sterile supplies, medical monitoring, and immediate first aid. To operate, facilities must provide education on safe practices, refer users to addiction treatment, and maintain secure disposal of used needles while ensuring participant confidentiality. The legislation also includes a provision that protects individuals from arrest or prosecution for drug possession and use within these licensed centers.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that specific health insurance plans in Massachusetts cover medically necessary treatments for genetic craniofacial conditions. It directly affects employees of the state, members of the Division of Medical Assistance, holders of accident and sickness policies, and subscribers to hospital service plans. The law requires these plans to cover functional repairs or restorations for conditions like ectodermal dysplasia and certain dental anomalies, provided they are not cosmetic procedures or unrelated to congenital diseases. Additionally, the bill ensures that coverage for these treatments is not subject to higher deductibles, copayments, or out-of-pocket limits than other benefits in the same plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to investigate the care of children and adolescents with severe behavioral health needs that cannot be managed through current hospital, community, or residential programs. The commission will consist of 23 members, including government officials, healthcare representatives, and community advocates, who must be appointed within 30 days. Their main task is to create demographic profiles of affected youth, identify barriers to treatment, review existing best practices, and examine ways to keep these children out of the juvenile court system. The group is required to submit its findings and recommendations to state legislative committees and the public by January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Massachusetts' low-income home energy assistance program to help eligible households afford cooling equipment and reduce summer electricity costs. It directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to use at least 10 percent of annual program funds to purchase air conditioners, ceiling fans, or box fans for households earning up to 60 percent of the state median income, provided they own their home or have landlord permission for window units. The legislation also requires the department to submit annual reports detailing program participation and costs, while maintaining existing protections against utility shut-offs for residents facing financial hardship.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to update gendered language in social work licensure requirements and to establish a new provisional license for applicants who have failed the social work associate exam twice. Under the new provisions, individuals granted a provisional license would be allowed to work for up to one year while completing specific educational and supervisory requirements to earn a full license without retaking the exam. To qualify for this provisional status, applicants must submit a detailed portfolio containing case analyses, daily journals, and evaluations from their supervisors. Additionally, the legislation creates a legislative commission to study the creation of a new certification specifically for child welfare workers. These changes directly affect social work professionals and applicants seeking licensure in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public schools in Massachusetts from suspending or expelling students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade for disciplinary infractions. While it maintains these bans for grades pre-K through third, it gradually extends the protection to fourth and fifth grades over a two-year period following the law's passage. To support educators, the legislation requires the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide guidance on alternative behavior management strategies, such as mediation and restorative justice. The measure aims to ensure consistent access to education for young students by removing exclusionary discipline as a response to behavioral issues.