This bill directs Massachusetts' Executive Office of Health and Human Services to form a working group to study how state colleges and universities can claim federal Medicaid funds (Title XIX) for health services provided to students covered by MassHealth. It specifically examines opportunities for students of all ages, including those with disabilities and those eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, as well as administrative and programmatic approaches to claiming these funds. The working group must produce a report by April 2027, including financial estimates of potential revenue, challenges, and a preliminary plan for pursuing these funds. The bill does not change current law but initiates a study to explore potential new revenue streams for public colleges.
This bill requires all Massachusetts healthcare facilities (like hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers) to implement a medical chaperone policy. It mandates that doctors or nurses inform patients before sensitive exams (such as those involving genitalia, breasts, or rectal areas) about their option to request a trained medical chaperone or, if unavailable, a family/friend chaperone (called a "familial chaperone"). Facilities must document these disclosures and requests in patients' electronic health records, provide educational materials to patients and familial chaperones, and report annual usage data to the state. The policy directly affects patients receiving intimate exams, healthcare facilities, and medical staff who must follow these new disclosure and documentation procedures.
Senate, January 5, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 211) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to the reselling of certain event tickets, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2823).
Senate, January 5, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 234) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to revitalize agriculture, conditioning and simulcasting, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2820).
This bill requires correctional facilities, lockups, and courthouses to report suicide threats or attempts by individuals in custody or appearing in court within 24 hours to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services. The report must include the person's name, address, age, reason for detention/appearance, and details of the incident. The information becomes part of the criminal justice record system but can only be shared with authorized agencies under existing law. It also mandates written notification to receiving facilities when transferring individuals who had such incidents. The bill directly affects court facilities, correctional institutions, and the state's criminal justice data system.
This bill allows cranberry growers to transfer their water use permits to other permitted users to help meet water requirements, primarily benefiting cranberry operations in Massachusetts. It enables registered water use statements and permits for cranberry farming to be shared with other authorized users for mitigation purposes. The Department of Environmental Protection must create implementing regulations by December 31, 2026. The bill directly affects cranberry growers and other water permit holders by creating a new transfer mechanism for water use rights.
Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Transportation to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2413) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to pedestrian safety, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2875).
Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Transportation to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2368) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, David Paul Linsky, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to end debt-based driving restrictions and remove economic roadblocks, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2874).
Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Transportation, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2350) of Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to facilitate cost efficient transportation; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2409) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to permitting fees for operating multiple vehicles under a single farm plate registration; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2420) of Paul W. Mark and James C. Arena-DeRosa for legislation to reduce emissions from the journey a truck takes to deliver or pick up goods; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2606) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to modernize permitting for the transportation of certain loads, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2872).
This bill (H 4860) creates a new compensation system for people wrongfully convicted of felonies in Massachusetts. It lowers the required proof standard from "clear and convincing" to "preponderance of the evidence" to qualify for compensation under Chapter 258D, and expands eligible compensation to include educational services, financial literacy training, and waived tuition at public colleges. The bill also mandates courts to expunge or seal criminal records related to the wrongful conviction after a successful claim, while limiting total damages based on incarceration length (e.g., up to $1 million for 10 years of incarceration). It directly affects individuals exonerated after being convicted of felonies, providing both financial compensation and record-clearing mechanisms.
Order authorizing the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities to make an investigation and study of certain House documents relative to children, families and persons with disabilities matters.
This bill requires Massachusetts to develop an emergency plan supporting agricultural, seafood, and processed food production during crises, coordinated across state agencies. It mandates an annual report tracking local food distribution through state-funded food assistance programs (like school meals and Meals on Wheels), including quantities, types, sourcing farms, and program-specific data. The report must include recommendations for increasing local food use while maintaining affordability and will be published online and submitted to legislative committees. This directly affects state agencies, food assistance programs, and farms supplying locally grown or produced food. The plan must be reviewed every five years and updated as needed.
