Sen. Walter Timilty

Maddy summaryThis local bill authorizes the town of Braintree to process the retirement of police officer William R. Cushing Jr. It is a procedural measure requiring no new policy changes, solely facilitating the retirement process for this specific officer. The bill passed with local approval from Braintree officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state laws to require health insurance plans to cover the cost of scalp and facial hair prostheses under specific medical conditions. It directly affects individuals who have lost hair due to cancer treatment, leukemia, certain autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata, or permanent injury, but excludes hair loss caused by natural aging. To qualify for coverage, a treating physician must provide a written statement confirming that the hair replacement is medically necessary, and the prostheses must be subject to the same rules and limits as other medical devices. The legislation defines these items as artificial substitutes for lost hair, including wigs and eyebrow replacements, ensuring they are treated similarly to other prosthetic appliances.

Filed by Mr. Timilty -- Order relative to granting the committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security until July 17, 2024 within which time to make its final report on current Senate documents relative to public safety and homeland security matters.

Senate, July 11, 2024 -- Text of amendment (210) (offered by Senator Timilty) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 2856) to the Senate Bill relative to economic development

By Representative Cusack of Braintree and Senator Timilty, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Mark J. Cusack, Walter F. Timilty and others relative to the retirement benefits of Brian Murphy, a uniformed member of the Department of State Police. Public Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to include police officers working at Massachusetts public colleges, universities, and the University of Massachusetts in the Group 4 retirement benefit system. By adding these campus officers to the existing list of covered employees, the legislation ensures they receive the same retirement benefits as other state and special authority police officers. The change directly affects law enforcement personnel employed on public higher education campuses who currently fall outside this specific retirement category.

By Representative Ciccolo of Lexington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3158) of Michelle L. Ciccolo that the Department of Public Utilities establish a municipal utility corridor public access program. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Massachusetts' existing bottle deposit law to include a wider range of drinkable liquids, such as water and sports drinks, while explicitly excluding items like milk, infant formula, and small-scale juice producers. Under the new rules, the refundable deposit on beverage containers would increase from five cents to ten cents, applying to most prepackaged containers up to 2.5 liters for non-carbonated drinks and 3 liters for carbonated ones. The legislation also adjusts the size requirement for businesses to qualify for exemptions from refunding requirements, raising the threshold from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Additionally, it clarifies that redemption centers and reverse vending machines must pay the refund immediately unless a customer opts into an account system.

Senate, May 16, 2024 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1255) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to enhance patient education and informed consent before issuance of opioids; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1272) of Walter F. Timilty for legislation relative to non-opioid alternatives in pain treatment, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2786).

By Mr. Timilty, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2549) of Walter F. Timilty (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Milton to use certain property for school purposes. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]