Sen. Becca Rausch

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled "An Act prioritizing patient access to care," amends Massachusetts state law to change how abortions are regulated. It removes the requirement that abortions must be performed only to preserve a patient's life or health or due to specific fetal diagnoses, replacing those criteria with a standard based solely on a physician's professional judgment. Additionally, the bill prevents any medical review process from overriding a doctor's decision to perform an abortion when a patient or their health care proxy requests it. These changes directly affect physicians, patients, and healthcare facilities by expanding the circumstances under which abortions can be legally provided.

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1485) of Joanne M. Comerford, Rebecca L. Rausch, Jason M. Lewis, Julian Cyr and other members of the Senate for legislation to prohibit nonconsensual intimate examinations of anesthetized or unconscious patients. Public Health.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear guidelines for school library materials in Massachusetts. It requires school staff to select materials based on educational value and age-appropriateness - not personal views - and sets a formal process for challenging removals: a public hearing must occur before a school committee can remove materials, only if they lack educational value or are inappropriate for students. Schools must create and post written policies following American Library Association standards, and staff cannot face disciplinary action for selections made in good faith. The bill directly affects school libraries, staff, students, and parents involved in material challenges.

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1247) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to criminalize sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator. The Judiciary.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new licensing system for private businesses that provide home care services, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and housekeeping, to help ensure these providers are responsible and suitable. To obtain a license, agencies must meet specific requirements that include conducting thorough background checks on all workers, verifying driving records for those who transport clients, and maintaining clear contracts that detail service costs and plans. The law also mandates that agencies carry workers' compensation and liability insurance, follow labor laws regarding payroll, and provide ongoing training for their staff. The executive office of health and human services is tasked with issuing licenses, enforcing rules, and conducting investigations to monitor compliance, while also ensuring these new requirements do not duplicate existing oversight for other types of long-term care providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the governor to limit civil immigration enforcement activities within nonpublic areas of state-owned buildings and properties, unless required by federal law or specific state programs. It requires the creation of multilingual guidelines for state agencies, private organizations, and schools on how to verify the authority of immigration officers and handle related interactions. Additionally, the bill empowers the attorney general to file civil lawsuits against any law enforcement officer who violates specific federal statutes regarding immigration enforcement.

By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3138) of Rebecca L. Rausch (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Medfield to utilize alternative methods for notice of public hearings. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Town of Millis' charter to give the town administrator direct authority to approve all payroll and expense payment requests before they are paid from town funds. It specifies that the administrator's approval is sufficient for the treasurer to process payments, replacing prior requirements. If the administrator is absent or the position is vacant, the select board must approve payments or delegate this duty to a temporary administrator. The change applies directly to Millis' financial operations and staff handling town payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates license suspensions for drivers who cannot pay administrative fees, directly affecting individuals with suspended licenses due to unpaid fines or fees. It revises law to prohibit prosecution for driving without a license solely because of unpaid administrative costs and adds a hardship waiver process for fee reductions. Drivers can now request fee waivers based on financial hardship through a new noncriminal hearing process. The bill also updates notification procedures for unpaid citations to include electronic alerts about payment deadlines and hardship options. These changes aim to prevent license suspensions from being used as a debt collection tool.

Senate, June 18, 2016 -- Text of the Senate Bill relative to primary care for you (Senate, No. 3141) (being the text of Senate, No. 3116, printed as amended)