Sen. Susan Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts child protective services to gather and share information about the military status of family members when investigating credible allegations of domestic abuse or child neglect. It mandates that area directors create formal agreements with the Military Family Advocacy Program at local bases to establish clear procedures for reporting cases involving military personnel. These protocols are designed to ensure investigations are handled correctly while maintaining confidentiality and protecting the safety of victims and their families.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new licensure pathway for lactation care providers in Massachusetts, allowing them to practice independently without needing to be certified as physical therapists or athletic trainers. To qualify for a license, applicants must hold current certification from a nationally recognized accrediting agency and demonstrate good moral character. The legislation also creates a specific seat on the Board of Allied Health Professions for a licensed lactation care provider and adds new definitions to state law to clarify what constitutes lactation care and services. By integrating lactation care into the existing allied health regulatory framework, the bill aims to increase access to professional breastfeeding support across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the amount hospitals and health systems can charge for facility fees, which are separate charges for using hospital space and equipment during outpatient visits. Specifically, it caps these fees at $30 per patient visit for services provided off-site from a hospital campus and for uninsured patients receiving care outside of an emergency department. The law also requires healthcare providers to inform patients about the specific facility fees they will owe before scheduling appointments and mandates a study to compare costs between hospital outpatient departments and non-hospital settings. Hospitals currently under contracts that offer full reimbursement for higher fees are allowed to continue collecting those amounts until the contracts expire. Violations of the fee cap are classified as unfair trade practices under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a task force to study how Massachusetts schools receive funding from MassHealth for medical services provided to eligible students. The group will be led by officials from the departments of health and human services and education, along with representatives from local government and the state legislature. Its main job is to analyze how much money schools currently get for nursing care, administrative help, and other medical benefits, and to identify any barriers preventing them from receiving these funds. The task force must also look at how other funding sources are shared between schools and local towns before submitting its final report and recommendations by July 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that community health centers in Massachusetts be reimbursed using a specific payment method known as a prospective payment system. The law mandates that this reimbursement approach aligns with federal guidelines established in the United States Code as of January 1, 2023. By updating state statutes, the bill ensures that insurers and other payers follow this standardized calculation for services provided by these federally qualified health centers. The change directly affects how these healthcare facilities are paid for patient care and aims to create consistency between state and federal payment rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a refundable tax credit for Massachusetts residents who provide unpaid care for family members requiring assistance with daily activities like bathing, eating, or moving. To qualify, the caregiver must have an income below $75,000 individually or $150,000 as a couple and spend money on eligible expenses such as home modifications, medical equipment, or hiring professional care services. The credit covers 100% of these costs but is capped at $1,500 per eligible family member to ensure the total benefit does not exceed that maximum amount. If multiple people care for the same individual, the $1,500 limit is shared among them based on how much each person spent. The law also requires the Department of Revenue to review and adjust the credit parameters every five years starting from when it takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that community health centers in Massachusetts receive reimbursement for patient services using a specific payment method known as a prospective payment system. The legislation mandates that this payment methodology must align with federal standards established in the United States Code as of January 1, 2023. By amending state laws regarding insurance and health care financing, the bill ensures that both public programs and private insurers reimburse these centers in a standardized way. The primary goal is to create consistency in how these health centers are paid for the care they provide.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating a new chapter in Massachusetts law to update how the state manages funding and fees related to digital infrastructure and streaming services. It establishes a policy framework that allows the state to assess fees from companies providing streaming entertainment based on their gross revenues generated within the Commonwealth. The legislation also sets guidelines for how local governments can regulate the use of public spaces for these services while encouraging diverse content and fair competition. Additionally, it creates specific processes for the Department of Revenue to collect unpaid fees and fines from operators that do not comply with the new rules.

May 9, 2024 -- The committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 34) of Jason M. Lewis, Paul W. Mark, John J. Cronin, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a comprehensive statewide policy concerning streaming entertainment services and the recovery of municipal costs for the management and maintenance of digital infrastructure, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2771).

Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Walsh of Peabody, for a bill with the same title (House, No. 2118). November 15, 2023.