Sen. Mike Moore

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts state law to improve the safety of individuals with disabilities who depend on life-support equipment by ensuring hospitals provide detailed discharge plans. Specifically, it requires hospitals to communicate these plans to nurses at the patient's residence or residential facility, who must then review the instructions for maintaining medical technology and sign an acknowledgment of their understanding. The legislation also mandates that these nurses advise family members and caregivers on how to protect the client's safety after leaving the hospital. Additionally, the Department of Public Health is tasked with creating implementation guidelines and running public awareness campaigns to inform families, hospitals, and medical facilities about their new responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes three new grant programs to support Massachusetts businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits in developing a sustainable blue economy. The Department of Environmental Protection will offer funding to small businesses transitioning to a circular economy, while the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs will provide grants for research and technology aimed at improving ocean health. Additionally, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will create a fund to help high schools expand training and job placement programs in ocean-related science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics fields. All programs prioritize applicants from environmental justice communities and minority-owned businesses to ensure equitable access to funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered pharmacists in Massachusetts to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral contraceptives to eligible patients. For adults aged 18 and older, pharmacists can provide these medications without a prior prescription from a doctor, while minors must have an existing prescription on record. The law requires pharmacists to complete specific training, use a self-screening risk assessment tool, and refer patients to primary care providers after dispensing the medication. Additionally, pharmacists are prohibited from requiring appointments for this service and must ensure patients have had a clinical visit for women's health within the previous three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special commission to study how the Dover amendment, which allows certain educational buildings to bypass standard zoning rules, is currently being used in Massachusetts. The commission will be composed of representatives from the state government, legislative leadership, and local organizations, including experts in zoning, social services, and education. Its primary task is to review the impact of this exemption on municipalities and schools, gather public input through hearings or surveys, and examine relevant court cases. By January 1, 2024, the commission must submit a report with findings and specific legislative recommendations, including a proposed definition for what constitutes "educational purposes."

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts tax laws to strengthen the state's ability to challenge transactions that lack a genuine business purpose beyond tax avoidance. It requires taxpayers to prove both a valid business reason and economic substance for such transactions, while explicitly protecting routine business decisions like choosing between debt and equity financing. Additionally, the legislation allows corporations to request a six-month extension for filing tax returns by paying an estimated amount in advance, and it mandates that the state pay reasonable attorney fees to taxpayers who win appeals against tax assessments. Finally, the bill clarifies the schedule for quarterly estimated tax payments, specifying that each of the four installments must equal 25 percent of the required annual payment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the official name of Massachusetts' oversight body from the "Disabled Persons Protection Commission" to the "Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities" across multiple state laws. The legislation also redefines key terms used in investigations, such as "abuse" and "caretaker," to clarify what constitutes harmful actions by those responsible for a person's well-being. Additionally, it specifies that the commission's authority applies to adults aged 18 to 59 who have intellectual, developmental, or other mental or physical disabilities that make them dependent on others for daily living needs. These changes aim to modernize language and ensure that investigative practices clearly reflect the specific needs of the population the commission protects.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special commission to investigate the rise in childhood hunger in Norfolk County that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission will be made up of state officials, local leaders, and representatives from food assistance organizations to examine the causes of food insecurity and its effects on children's health and education. It will also review current food access methods, such as school meals and food pantries, and assess the nutritional quality of food being distributed. Finally, the group is tasked with developing a report with specific recommendations and potential new laws to help reduce hunger in the area by December 31, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to improve survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest in Massachusetts by updating regulations for emergency response and public access defibrillation. It requires the state's 911 dispatch commission to include specific medical and communication experts on its advisory board and mandates that dispatch centers implement quality assurance programs for their CPR instructions. The legislation also establishes a statewide registry to help 911 operators locate Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and requires clear signage in buildings to indicate where these life-saving devices are located. Additionally, the bill classifies sudden cardiac arrest as a reportable disease, ensuring better tracking and data collection by the Department of Public Health. These changes collectively seek to streamline emergency responses and increase the availability of critical equipment for the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to test for, screen, and initiate treatment for specific health conditions such as influenza, streptococcal infections, HIV, and COVID-19. Under the new rules, pharmacists can collect specimens, oversee testing, and prescribe treatments like HIV prevention drugs, while pharmacy technicians may assist with waived lab tests. The legislation requires insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse these services at the same rate paid to other healthcare providers. Additionally, pharmacists must follow state guidelines for positive COVID-19 results and report data as required by federal and state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to give at least 120 days' notice before closing or relocating a community service office. It mandates that local legislators and regional legal services be informed of the proposed action along with the reasons for it. The law also requires the department to provide detailed data on how the change would impact low-income households, including factors like transportation costs, office hours, accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, language availability, and community surveys. These provisions aim to ensure that decisions about closing or moving offices consider the practical needs of the residents who rely on these services.