Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to require the state's medical assistance program to cover specific treatments for adults aged 21 and older with developmental, intellectual, or autism spectrum disorders. The legislation mandates that the program pay for medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative care, including applied behavior analysis and various communication devices like tablets. These services must be deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist and are intended to help individuals develop, maintain, or restore their functioning. The law directly affects the state's healthcare division and the adult population diagnosed with these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits employers in Massachusetts from using consumer credit reports to screen job applicants or current employees. It also bans employers from asking candidates questions about their credit history or requiring them to waive their rights against such inquiries. The law includes specific exceptions for roles requiring national security clearance or when federal or state laws mandate the use of credit reports. Employers are further restricted from retaliating against individuals who file complaints or participate in investigations regarding credit discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts laws to clarify how tow companies can place liens on vehicles. It specifically allows liens to be issued for cars towed from private property or involuntarily transported from accident scenes. The changes update existing statutes to ensure the legal process for collecting unpaid towing fees is clearly defined for private property owners and towing operators.

Maddy summaryThis Massachusetts bill strengthens laws against keeping animals in cruel conditions by explicitly defining prohibited situations such as exposure to waste, dangerous objects, or extreme weather. It directly affects anyone who owns or keeps domestic animals, including livestock, and clarifies that these protections apply regardless of the animal's specific use. The legislation establishes a tiered penalty system where first-time offenders face a warning or a fine up to $50, while repeat offenders can be fined up to $500 and potentially have their animals impounded. Additionally, the bill directs fines collected from these violations into a dedicated fund aimed at preventing homelessness in animals and ensures that these civil penalties do not block separate criminal prosecutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to study and recommend ways to improve property tax breaks for veterans and their surviving spouses in Massachusetts. The commission will review current tax rules and propose a system that links the amount of tax relief directly to disability ratings issued by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. The panel is composed of representatives from the legislature, state agencies, veteran organizations, and the public, ensuring diverse input on the issue. By December 1, 2024, the commission must submit its findings and suggestions to the state legislature for further consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a formal partnership between the state government and private corporations to voluntarily combat human trafficking. Participating businesses must adopt zero-tolerance policies, educate their employees, and share information on effective prevention strategies. The legislation also mandates specialized training for law enforcement, judges, and K-12 educators to better identify and support victims. These measures aim to improve coordination among agencies and increase awareness within the community without restricting existing laws or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to restrict how health insurance companies can negotiate price increases with healthcare providers. Specifically, it prohibits carriers from agreeing to rate hikes that exceed the state's established health care cost growth benchmark. The measure directly affects insurance companies and healthcare providers by setting a legal ceiling on annual rate increases based on a predefined economic metric. By codifying this limit, the legislation aims to prevent negotiated rates from rising faster than the benchmark allows.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to make their standard charges for all medical items and services available in a machine-readable format on their websites. It also mandates that hospitals provide patients with cost estimates for elective procedures at least three days before the service is scheduled, with clear instructions on how to request these estimates posted in public areas. Hospitals that fail to comply with these transparency requirements could face legal penalties under state unfair trade practices laws, allowing the attorney general to seek restitution and civil fines.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts in Massachusetts from using a parent's disability as a negative factor when deciding child custody or parenting time. It directly affects adults with disabilities involved in family and juvenile court proceedings by ensuring their disabilities are not automatically viewed as harmful to their children. The law requires that any decision against a parent based on their disability must be supported by specific evidence showing a direct link between the disability and harm to the child that cannot be fixed with accommodations. Courts must also document in writing why they believe a disability causes harm and whether services like adaptive equipment or interpreters could resolve the issue. Additionally, the bill defines key terms such as "disability" and "supportive parenting services" to guide judges in applying these protections fairly.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to ensure that protective orders issued in domestic violence cases continue to protect the plaintiff's children even after the plaintiff dies. Specifically, it requires courts to order defendants to refrain from abusing or contacting the children unless authorized by a judge. These protections remain in effect until a court officially removes them or the order's expiration date is reached. The change directly affects survivors of domestic violence and their children by extending legal safeguards beyond the life of the original victim.