Sen. Susan Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Massachusetts towns and cities to create their own rules for controlling harmful pesticides that are stricter than the state's existing standards. To pass such local rules, a municipality must get approval from a majority vote of its legislative body and its board of health. The law clarifies that these local restrictions apply to the labeling, sale, storage, use, and disposal of pesticides, but they do not cover the transportation of these products.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts recycling laws to specifically include small 50-milliliter alcoholic drink containers, known as nips, in the state's deposit return program. It establishes a 10-cent refund value for these nips, which is double the standard 5-cent refund applied to other beverage containers like bottles and cans. The legislation also clarifies that redemption centers and reverse vending machines are not required to process these small containers immediately if they hold the owed refund in an account accessible within two business days. Additionally, the bill adjusts the legal definition of a beverage container to include nips while excluding certain packaging types and requires officials to review handling fees for these new items.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a commission to study the potential benefits and costs of burying utility wires underground across Massachusetts. The commission will compare the expenses of undergrounding power and internet lines in various regions against the societal costs of keeping them above ground, such as risks from natural disasters and power outages. The study will estimate costs over 10, 25, and 50-year periods and assign financial responsibilities to the state, municipalities, and other entities. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Public Utilities to create a ranking system for utility companies to prioritize which lines should be buried first.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts law to allow school districts and other educational agencies to receive direct reimbursement from MassHealth for medically necessary services provided to students. The legislation changes the terminology used in state statutes to specifically refer to "local educational authorities" rather than general government entities when discussing these payments. It mandates that any funds received must be used exclusively to support school-based health services and related administrative tasks without replacing existing school health budgets. Additionally, the bill defines key terms such as school-based services and school personnel to clarify which staff members and activities qualify for reimbursement.

By Ms. Moran (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2394) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Arthur Desloges, for legislation to update the citizens advisory panel and strengthening citizen participation on the panel for the decommissioning of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant. Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require Medicaid coverage for doula services, which provide non-medical physical, emotional, and informational support to individuals during pregnancy, labor, and the year following childbirth or pregnancy loss. The legislation mandates that the state cover continuous labor support and at least six doula visits, including two postpartum visits, without requiring prior authorization, while also ensuring access for eligible individuals regardless of immigration status. Additionally, the bill establishes a Doula Advisory Committee composed of practicing doulas and community members with personal perinatal experiences to oversee the program and ensure diverse representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public colleges in Massachusetts to create clear policies on how they award credit for high school programs like Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and college-in-high-school courses. It mandates that these institutions publish their credit-granting rules online and report them to the state Department of Higher Education, while also ensuring applicants receive advance notice about how their coursework will be credited toward a degree. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new state trust fund to support these programs, with a focus on helping underserved communities and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new state fund called the Caregivers to Adults with Disabilities Fund to support the education of family members caring for adults with disabilities. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education will manage the fund, which will be financed through state appropriations, interest, and donations, and will automatically carry over any unused money to future years. The primary goal is to help these caregivers by paying for their tuition and fees at eligible community colleges. The bill also requires the board to report annually on how the money is used and directs the state comptroller to transfer an initial $4.125 million from the General Fund to start the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new grant program to help Master of Social Work students in Massachusetts cover the costs of their field placements. The Department of Education would administer these funds, which are intended to recruit and retain students from historically marginalized and low-income communities. To qualify, students must commit to working in the state for at least two years after graduation, and the program prioritizes first-generation college students while requiring at least half of the recipients to identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The financial assistance ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per month depending on the student's year of study, with applications accepted annually between January and March.