Sen. Brendan Crighton

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Massachusetts law to change how the state recovers money from the estates of seniors and disabled individuals who received MassHealth benefits. It primarily affects people who die after April 1, 1995, by expanding the age limit for estate recovery from 65 to 55 years old for services provided after October 1, 1993. The legislation ensures that recovery can only occur after a surviving spouse dies and there are no surviving children under 21 or with disabilities, while also allowing for waivers in cases of undue hardship. Additionally, the bill restricts recovery to specific types of care, such as nursing facility and home-based services, and prevents the state from collecting more than the actual cost of services provided.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers in Massachusetts to provide paid time off for employees to vote in state or municipal elections if they cannot vote during their regular working hours. Employees must give their employer at least three days' notice to request this time, which must be taken at the beginning or end of their shift unless otherwise agreed upon. Employers are also required to post a notice explaining these rights, and those who fail to comply may be ordered to pay the affected voter for a full day's wages. The Fair Labor Division of the Attorney General's Office will oversee enforcement of these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new chapter in Massachusetts law dedicated to language access and inclusion for state agencies. It creates a legal framework requiring agencies to provide equal access to public services for individuals who do not speak English as their primary language. The legislation mandates that agencies develop formal language access plans to outline how they will offer translation and interpretation services. Additionally, the bill defines key terms such as "limited English proficient" and "culturally competent" to guide how state departments interact with diverse populations.

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill enabling pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer PrEP (Senate, No. 1353),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2480).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires three types of facilities in Massachusetts to provide free disposable menstrual products to people who menstruate. Specifically, it mandates that temporary housing providers, such as shelters and safe houses, supply these items without cost. Additionally, the law requires all primary and secondary schools to offer free menstrual products in restrooms, and it orders correctional facilities, including jails and prisons, to provide these products to incarcerated individuals. The legislation aims to ensure convenient and non-stigmatizing access to sanitary napkins, tampons, and liners in these specific settings.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists in Massachusetts to prescribe, dispense, and administer PrEP, a medication used to prevent HIV infection. To qualify for the drug, patients must test negative for HIV within the last seven days, show no signs of acute HIV infection, and not be taking any medications that conflict with PrEP. Pharmacists providing the treatment must offer counseling on safety, side effects, and adherence, and they are limited to issuing a 60-day supply no more than twice every two years. Additionally, pharmacists are required to notify the patient's primary care provider about the treatment unless the patient lacks a provider or refuses consent.

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill to increase access to disposable menstrual products (Senate, No. 1381),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2481).

Maddy summaryThis bill allows school counselors in Massachusetts to become licensed as mental health counselors by adjusting the educational and experience requirements for licensure. It permits individuals who have completed a master's degree with a subspecialization in counseling-related fields to apply for mental health licensure, provided they meet specific supervised clinical experience hours. The legislation also clarifies that school counselors can sit for the mental health counselor licensing exam, creating a pathway for them to practice in broader clinical settings.

Senate, October 19, 2023 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 210) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to expand licensure opportunity for school counselors; and (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Andres X. Vargas and Ryan M. Hamilton relative to expanding licensure opportunities for school counselors, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2473).

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board to grant Cheryl DiLisio, an employee of Nahant public schools, credit for 1.7 years of service she performed between February 1, 2005, and February 1, 2011. To receive this additional service credit toward her retirement allowance, Ms. DiLisio must pay a one-time sum or installments equal to the contributions that would have been withheld from her pay during that period, plus applicable interest. The legislation ensures that this specific credit applies only to her superannuation retirement calculation and does not alter any other retirement benefits she may already be entitled to.