Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists in Massachusetts to prescribe, dispense, and administer PrEP, a medication used to prevent HIV infection. To qualify for the drug, patients must test negative for HIV within the last seven days, show no signs of acute HIV infection, and not be taking any medications that conflict with PrEP. Pharmacists providing the treatment must offer counseling on safety, side effects, and adherence, and they are limited to issuing a 60-day supply no more than twice every two years. Additionally, pharmacists are required to notify the patient's primary care provider about the treatment unless the patient lacks a provider or refuses consent.

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill to increase access to disposable menstrual products (Senate, No. 1381),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2481).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal right for home buyers in Massachusetts to have their prospective homes inspected by a licensed professional within ten days of an offer being accepted. It prohibits sellers and their agents from forcing buyers to waive this inspection right, with the exception of sales conducted at licensed auctions. The legislation also prevents sellers from accepting offers from buyers who explicitly state they intend to skip or limit the inspection, unless the buyer is a close family member of the seller. By amending existing state laws, the act ensures that buyers can evaluate critical components like the roof, foundation, and electrical systems before finalizing a purchase.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law to protect home buyers by guaranteeing their right to have a residential property inspected by a licensed home inspector within ten days of accepting an offer. It prohibits sellers and their agents from conditioning the sale on a buyer waiving this inspection right, with specific exceptions for family members and certain divorce-related transactions. The legislation also mandates that every purchase offer include a standardized notice informing buyers of this new right and outlining the process for canceling the offer if serious defects are found during the inspection.

Senate, October 19, -- 2023 The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 197) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, John H. Rogers, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect consumer rights in purchasing safe and habitable homes; and (accompanied by bill, House, No. 245) of Brian M. Ashe and others for legislation to provide for a right to home inspections for buyers, reports the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2474).

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to strengthen domestic violence protections in Massachusetts by formally defining "coercive control" as a specific pattern of behavior. It directly affects individuals experiencing abuse by legally recognizing actions such as isolating a partner from support networks, monitoring their finances or movements, and using threats to restrict their safety or autonomy. The legislation clarifies that these behaviors constitute abuse even if they do not involve physical violence, while explicitly stating that defensive actions taken to protect oneself or children do not count as coercive control. By adding this definition to state law, the bill seeks to ensure that courts and law enforcement can identify and address these non-physical forms of abuse more effectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to remove the criminal penalties associated with blasphemy from Massachusetts law. By repealing Section 36 of Chapter 272 in the state's General Laws, it would eliminate the specific legal provision that currently allows for prosecution of individuals for insulting religious beliefs or sacred objects. The change directly affects any person who might face criminal charges under this statute, ensuring that such speech is no longer subject to state criminal punishment. The legislation does not create new laws or alter other religious protections, focusing solely on the deletion of this specific offense.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of domestic violence in Massachusetts to include specific behaviors like coercive control and technological abuse. It clarifies that coercive control involves patterns of intimidation, isolation, or financial monitoring, while technological abuse covers actions such as cyberstalking, nonconsensual sharing of images, and electronic surveillance. The legislation also explicitly lists examples such as threatening deportation based on immigration status or forcing someone into criminal activity as forms of abuse. By updating these definitions, the law aims to provide clearer grounds for victims to seek protection orders against a wider range of harmful behaviors.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act relative to healthy youth," is a procedural measure that does not contain specific policy language or substantive provisions. Instead, it serves to formally introduce a legislative concept or topic for further discussion within the Massachusetts General Court. The text provided lists numerous legislators who have signed onto the petition but does not include the operative sections that would define how the state would support youth health. Consequently, the bill currently functions as a placeholder to initiate the legislative process rather than establishing concrete rules or programs.

By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3125) of Marcus S. Vaughn that the commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance be authorized to release a certain sewer easement in the town of Norfolk. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.