Rep. Kate Donaghue

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of Route 20 (between mile markers 104.6 and 105.1 in Oxford) as the "Brodeur Curve" to honor Michael and Kyle Brodeur of Charlton. It requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to install and maintain markers at this location, commemorating the Brodeur family's advocacy against impaired driving following a 1997 accident that killed Michael and left Kyle with severe brain injuries. The bill focuses solely on naming the road segment and installing signage, with no policy changes or direct impacts beyond recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HD 3581) allows licensed physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds in Massachusetts, expanding their existing authority under Chapter 123 of the General Laws. It directly affects physician assistants working in mental health settings by permitting them to initiate involuntary psychiatric holds for individuals in crisis. Key provisions require physician assistants to complete 3 hours of specialized mental health evaluation training developed by the Department of Mental Health before authorizing such holds. The bill amends specific sections of the law to explicitly include "physician assistant" alongside "physician" in relevant provisions. This is a policy change to clarify and expand the scope of practice for physician assistants in mental health emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents patients from receiving surprise bills for emergency ambulance services. It requires insurance companies to pay ambulance providers directly for covered emergency transports, rather than billing patients, and sets payment rates based on municipal rates or federal Medicare rates if municipal rates don't exist. Uninsured patients are protected from charges exceeding Medicare's published rates, and ambulance providers cannot use wage garnishments or credit reporting to collect unpaid bills. The law applies to all emergency ambulance services covered under insurance policies, directly affecting patients, ambulance providers, and insurers.

Maddy summaryHD 3816, the "Safe Communities Act," prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from asking about immigration status during routine interactions (except when legally required) and restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It requires written consent with clear explanations in multiple languages before DHS interviews of people in custody, and bans automatic notifications to DHS about individuals' release from custody (except for end-of-sentence releases). The law also prohibits police from acting as immigration officers under federal agreements and mandates training for law enforcement on these provisions. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts residents, especially immigrant communities, and apply to state/local police, sheriffs, and correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Massachusetts' state bureau to list sober homes (alcohol and drug-free housing) by city or town only on public websites, not by full address, to protect residents' privacy. It amends sections 18 and 18A of Chapter 17 of the General Laws to mandate that the bureau's daily website listing of facilities with open beds must omit full addresses for sober homes. The change directly affects residents of sober homes by limiting public disclosure of their exact locations. The key mechanism is updating the state's website requirements to require city/town-level location details instead of precise addresses for these facilities.

Maddy summaryHD 2707 creates the "Nature for All Fund" to finance nature-based climate and conservation projects across Massachusetts. The fund, financed by specific sales tax revenues (codes 459110, 441210, and 713910), will support parks, trails, water protection, farm/forest conservation, and indigenous land access - prioritizing underserved communities and environmental justice areas. It establishes a 15-member board to oversee spending, requiring annual reports on funds directed to environmental justice populations. The fund will supplement, not replace, existing conservation programs and may issue bonds secured solely by its revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill addresses two main areas: regulating unfair fees in rental housing and encouraging housing production. It limits what landlords and brokers can charge tenants, allowing only first and last month's rent, a security deposit, and key costs, while prohibiting extra fees for lease renewals or adding optional charges like internet or insurance unless clearly described and opt-out options are provided. The bill also caps late payment penalties at five percent of monthly rent and restricts when landlords can charge attorney fees to tenants. Additionally, it promotes housing development by reducing parking requirements near transit stations, defining underutilized land for redevelopment, and ensuring publicly owned property is prioritized for low and moderate income housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals or amends several Massachusetts statutes related to religious references in legal contexts. It specifically removes archaic provisions requiring religious oaths (like "so help me God") and replaces them with a new standard: legal oaths must make no religious reference, requiring individuals to simply hold up their hand and affirm truthfulness under penalty of perjury. The bill directly affects anyone taking legal oaths (e.g., in court, for official documents) and the officials administering those oaths. Key provisions include repealing sections in Chapters 71, 233, and 272 that mandated religious elements in oaths or related legal procedures. The change modernizes legal practice by ensuring oaths are secular and accessible to all.

Maddy summaryH 1981 would prohibit discrimination against individuals who wear necessary medical protective equipment, such as masks or gloves, for health reasons. It requires businesses, employers, and public accommodations to provide equal access without denying services based solely on the use of such equipment. The bill directly affects people with medical conditions requiring protective gear, including those with respiratory illnesses or allergies. This legislation aims to ensure individuals are not treated unfairly for using medically necessary protective equipment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs and services throughout the commonwealth, primarily affecting health organizations, service providers, and individuals involved in substance use support. It creates a new legal definition for harm reduction programs, which can include needle exchanges, distribution of opioid antagonists, drug testing services, and referrals to treatment, and requires these programs to be approved by the state department and local health boards. The legislation grants immunity from criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional disciplinary action to program operators and participants acting in good faith, while excluding cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting on program activities and data collection to track outcomes, and clarifies that entering or using a harm reduction program cannot be used as grounds for law enforcement searches or seizures.