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This legislation exempts community-based human services organizations holding purchase-of-service contracts with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Department of Early Education and Care and the Department of Housing and Community Development from paying the Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) Supplement.
This legislation allows a registered pharmacist to prescribe and dispense hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives to a person who is at least 18 years of age without a previous prescription from a primary care practitioner or women’s health care practitioner or under 18 years of age, only if the person has a previous prescription from a primary care practitioner or women’s health care practitioner for a hormonal contraceptive patch or self-administered oral hormonal contraceptive.
This legislation permits state universities with projects authorized in the Higher Education Bond Bill (Chapter 258 of the Acts of 2008) to be able to utilize supplemental funding accessed through the Massachusetts State College Building Authority.
The abrupt closure and sale of Mt. Ida College to UMass Amherst caught the current students, newly accepted students, faculty and staff by surprise. Equally as troubling was Mt. Ida’s decision to close its doors without a school closure plan and without appropriate notice to the Attorney General and the Board of Higher Education. This legislation works to address issues of notice by requiring that when higher education institutions begin discussions or deliberations, or enter into written agreements to: (i) close; (ii) merge; (iii) acquire the facilities or land of another institution; or (iv) to open a branch campus, they must provide the board of higher education with reasonable notice not less than 120 days before the intended action. In addition, when a higher education institution realizes that it may not have the financial resources to sustain the quality of its education programs, support institutional improvements, or graduate its entering class, it must notify the board of higher education not less than 14 days after the institution becomes aware of those circumstances. Lastly, it requires that the proposals to merge, acquire, or open a branch campus shall be subject to the notice requirements and be reviewed by the board of higher education. During its review of the merger, acquisition or opening, these notices shall not be a public record and shall be exempt from disclosure.
This regulation would legalize the sale and use of ground based sparkling devices and novelties, while maintaining the restrictions on explosive and aerial fireworks.
This legislation would require the Department of Transportation to study the long term cost-effectiveness of pavement alternatives, specifically concrete for use in transportation projects. The language also requires that MassDOT conduct 4 demonstration projects annually that test different pavement designs, and analyze the results. These results will be reported by MassDOT, and include comparisons of long-term costs, reduction of noise, friction, and ride quality.
To clarify the current law regarding the calculation used to determine the net-worth measure of the corporate excise. AIM’s proposal seeks to clarify how the Department of Revenue calculates debt vs. equity calculation during the audit process, which has been inconsistent and seeks to affirm existing state and federal law regarding foreign owned companies.
This legislation clarifies that it is unlawful for anyone to operate an elevator without a certificate of inspection.
In the case a building owner has contracted another entity to maintain their elevators, this legislation would make the contracted entity responsible for the fees assessed when an elevator loses certification.
This legislation allows a licensed pharmacist to dispense Smoking Cessation Agents. Before dispensing Smoking Cessation Agents, a pharmacist shall complete a training program approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, which shall include but not be limited to proper documentation, quality assurance, and referral to additional services, including appropriate recommendation that the patient follow-up with a medical practitioner.
This legislation increases the range of the entry-level tax imposed on S corporations from $6 million - $9 million to $12 million - $18 million, and tie future increases to the CPI.
This bill would establish a board of regulations specific to hoisting machinery. Hoisting licenses are the most common form of license provided by the department of public safety, and they cover an enormous range of machinery and skill levels. Despite this, hoisting licenses are still overseen by the Construction Supervisor licensing process. This result is that both the testing for licenses, and the oversight of existing licenses or incidents is entirely unsuited for the realities of hoisting machinery.
This bill raises the cap for the delegation of control of a state project where the construction cost of the project for which the design services are required to be less than $100,000 to $1 million. By raising the threshold, this will save campuses and the Commonwealth money during construction.
This legislation establishes ratepayer rights which includes requiring utility companies to provide ratepayers with a choice of the type of utility meters to be installed and operated on their places of residence or business; the ability to retain and operate an “electromechanical analog meter” on an ongoing basis at no cost; and the right to replacement of a wireless meter with a non-transmitting electromechanical meter at no cost.
This legislation mandates that all Accountable Care Organizations certified by the Health Policy Commission offer "patient navigation and care coordination services" by Patient Engagement Advocates. The language will help to establish the practice of having licensed social workers assist patients with navigating barriers and coordinating services throughout the continuum of care.
Radon is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with an nearly 630 new cases every year in Massachusetts alone. An estimated 650,000 homes have radon levels that exceed the EPA action deadline, with 34,000 of those having rates 5x more than the guideline. A nationwide survey suggests that 1 in 5 schools have dangerous levels of radon, including City View School in Worcester. This bill would direct the Department of Public Health to promulgate regulations theo ensure all licensed child care programs and public schools undergo routine radon testing.
This legislation makes changes to the statute governing Community Action Agencies. The 23 CAAs have administered key anti-poverty programs for the last 50 years, including the distribution of state and federal community development services and grants. The bill would change chapter 23B to better reflect the agency’s role, and form a council to review existing programs and policies. The bill also establishes a more consistent funding through a budget line item and a new trust fund to finance innovative, community-based programs and services.
This legislation establishes a task force to make recommendations on establishing statewide certification and updating training standards for sexual assault counselors.
This legislation would allow students to deduct up to 50% of tuition and fee payments. In a time when students across Massachusetts are struggling to afford college, this bill would provide some financial relief to them and their families.
The legislation requires the Department of Higher Education to adopt an AP credit policy for qualifying grades of 3 or better and to make such policies transparent on university and college websites. It is modeled after similar legislation signed into law in other states and will help more Massachusetts students get an early start on college.