Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Massachusetts health care laws to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities by explicitly changing the term "handicap" to "disability" in state statutes. It prohibits hospitals and health care providers from denying or deprioritizing life-saving treatment based on assumptions that a person's life is less valuable because of their disability or chronic condition. The legislation also bans institutions from making access to care conditional on a patient having a "do not resuscitate" order or advance directive, while still allowing providers to discuss these options and consider short-term survival prospects.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Massachusetts Medicaid rules to require elders and people with disabilities who earn above certain income limits to pay back a portion of their excess earnings to healthcare providers. Specifically, eligible individuals would have to pay an amount equal to their surplus income for six consecutive months, with some exceptions for those in specific waiver programs or the special income eligibility group. The law aims to ensure that those with higher incomes contribute more toward the cost of their community-based care services while maintaining access to necessary medical support.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to accelerate solar energy development in Massachusetts to meet the state's 2030 goal of 10,000 megawatts of solar capacity. It requires the Department of Energy Resources to create or modify incentive programs that specifically support solar canopies, environmental justice communities, pollinator habitats, municipal installations, and agrivoltaic projects. The legislation also mandates that state-protected lands cannot prohibit new solar facilities without holding public hearings and demonstrating that such a ban would hinder the state's renewable energy targets. Additionally, the bill directs the department to simplify administrative reporting for small residential and commercial solar systems and to establish a loan program funded by existing renewable energy compliance payments. Finally, it requires the department to work with municipal electric corporations to help local power plants meet greenhouse gas reduction goals and to report on program effectiveness by the end of 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that new and substantially remodeled commercial buildings in Massachusetts use electricity instead of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, cooking, and clothes drying. It specifically mandates that new hospitals and biological research laboratories achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and sets a phased schedule of decreasing emission limits for these facilities through 2049. The legislation also establishes specific heating requirements for labs and hospitals, ensuring their primary heating systems do not rely on on-site fossil fuel combustion. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Energy Resources to create regulations for compliance, including the use of renewable energy credits, while allowing municipalities to set separate rules for existing facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to remove the aggregate cap on net metering for private solar facilities. It specifically establishes a 10-megawatt limit on net metering only for municipalities and other governmental entities. The change allows private individuals and businesses to continue generating and selling excess solar power back to the grid without a total system-wide restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Massachusetts distribution companies to sign long-term contracts for approximately 12,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by June 2030 and 15,000 megawatts by June 2035. It also authorizes the Department of Energy Resources to lead competitive solicitations for additional offshore wind projects if needed to meet the state's greenhouse gas emission limits. The legislation directly affects utility companies and the offshore wind development industry by setting specific capacity targets and expanding the state's ability to procure renewable energy.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Massachusetts public schools and universities to conduct detailed energy audits to identify ways they can reduce energy use and switch to renewable power. The law requires these audits to estimate costs and savings, list available funding options, and include specific inspections of building insulation and envelopes. By improving energy efficiency and adding solar power, the legislation aims to lower emissions, reduce utility costs, and create jobs while protecting students and staff from climate-related risks like extreme heat and flooding. Ultimately, the bill supports the state's goal of making all public educational buildings carbon-free by 2033.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas and distribution companies in Massachusetts to increase transparency when awarding construction contracts worth $100,000 or more for work on public roads. Under the new rules, companies must notify all bidders of the award decision within two business days and post the winning contractor's name, bid amount, and project location on their website. The law also mandates that written notices to bidders include the specific criteria used for the award and the score the bidder received. Companies may withhold certain information if doing so would harm law enforcement, public interest, or fair competition, and the state department is tasked with enforcing these requirements.

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester and Senator Moore, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2580) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf, Michael O. Moore and others relative to pensions for children of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Public Service.