Senator Moore's Legislation

S.1197- An Act relative to the protection of victim’s rights and the public health

This bill deals with a serious issue of safety that can affect both residents of the Commonwealth, and the first responders who dedicate their lives to public service by seeking to limit accidental exposure to communicable infectious diseases. During their work, first responders are consistently in contact with individuals who may, through no fault of their own, be exposed to communicable diseases.  In order to ensure they are not exposed themselves, this bill would allow for testing individuals when a first responder believes their health could be endangered. The bill allows the testing and examination of individuals for whom probable cause exists to believe that this individual exposed a victim to a commonly communicable infectious disease during the commission of a sexual assault, or during an assault and battery on a law enforcement officer.  The bill limits the disclosure of testing results to the victim and subject of the testing order to protect the privacy of all involved. To read the text of the bill and follow its progress, please visit the legislature’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S1197.

S.1196- An Act relative to the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Project

The legislation establishes the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Project to implement the state plan now being developed by an Administration Task Force.  The Project will help our state prepare for the impact of the growth in diagnosis predicted by the Centers for Disease Control as well as educate and raise greater awareness about the disease.  Currently in Massachusetts there are approximately 120,000 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  Massachusetts has an aging population and we must ensure we have a coordinated effort to address the impact on individuals inflicted with this disease, their families, and the support services they utilize. To read the text of the bill and follow its progress, please visit the Legislature’s website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/Senate/S1196.

S.535- An Act alleviating healthcare burdens for Massachusetts employers

Federal law mandates certain requirements for the administration of health plans in the non-group market. Because Massachusetts is the only state in the country with a merged small group and non-group market, these requirements also apply to small group plans. De-merging these markets would benefit small businesses by ensuring that they will not be unnecessarily burdened by certain policies that were intended to apply only to individual health plans. Separating these markets would have a positive impact on health care costs for Massachusetts small businesses at a time when these pressures continue to rise.  Demerging the small group from the individual market will provide rate relief to employers of 50 or fewer.  Further, when the ACA requires community rating for employers of 100 or fewer, they would also benefit.

S.1194- An Act relative to other tobacco products

This legislation instructs the Department of Public Health to promulgate regulations for restricting the marketing and labeling of and restricting youth access to so called “Other Tobacco Products” whose use is rising in the Commonwealth. Other Tobacco Products can come in flavors like grape, strawberry, etc. to mask the tobacco taste. Special prices make these products cheaper than cigarettes and colorful packaging make these products look like mints, candy, or lip balm.