Author: Cindy Friedman

New law supports safety and well-being of children, brings national uniformity to child custody cases 

(BOSTON—10/7/2024) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation to simplify and modernize child custody jurisdiction laws in the Commonwealth.  

An Act relative to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act would simplify custody jurisdiction laws and bring Massachusetts into conformity with other states around the country. By so doing, the Commonwealth would be creating a more streamlined process for families going through challenging times while supporting the safety and well-being of children who find themselves in custody challenges. 

Under the new law, clear rules would be established for multi-state custody cases, prioritizing the home state of the child and ensuring Massachusetts courts can work effectively with courts in other states nationally and in other countries for international child custody orders. Going forward, once Massachusetts courts have exercised jurisdiction over custody, those courts would maintain jurisdiction over potential changes in the judgment or order, so long as a parent or the child remain in state. This will prevent forum shopping and competing lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions. 

“Today’s action in the Senate will help bring our Commonwealth in line with the practices of many other states to ensure that questions of custody challenges can be resolved in a more efficient way,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I thank Majority Leader Creem for spearheading this initiative to make these already challenging situations easier for the families and children involved.”… Read more.

New name centers skills and strengths of people with disabilities, removes offensive terminology 

(BOSTON—9/5/2024) Today the Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to MassAbility, a change that will define the agency’s role in supporting residents with disabilities live independently. 

The name change reflects the intention to empower individuals living with disabilities and move away from outdated terminology as the office undergoes broad changes towards a more expansive model for disability employment services and independent living. 

The legislation also removes offensive terminology in the Massachusetts General Laws referring to people with disabilities in sections of the law that pertain to MassAbility. 

“Renaming the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility reflects the important mission of the agency, and more accurately represents the role of government that I work towards for our residents, which is to help people,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This agency works with individuals to provide the tools that make the ability to live an independent life so much easier in Massachusetts, and I am glad to see a name change and archaic language changes that reflect this positive vision for all residents of the Commonwealth.” 

Having passed both chambers of the Legislature, the measure will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature.  

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Bill increases oversight, allows for basic health services to be offered at assisted living residences, and boosts workforce for care of older adults in Massachusetts 

(BOSTON—8/29/2024) Today, the Massachusetts Legislature passed sweeping reforms to the long-term care and assisted living sectors, taking a powerful step towards delivering high quality and safe care for older residents across the Commonwealth.  

An Act to improve quality and oversight of long-term care strengthens the Commonwealth’s oversight of nursing homes, provides critical anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ nursing home residents, and permanently allows assisted living residences to offer basic health services. 

“Our long-term care and assisted living facilities and the care models they employ are integral components of our overall health care system,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This legislation offers sweeping reforms that will modernize and improve the experience for those needing long-term care and for their families, in part by bolstering the workforce and expanding state oversight to ensure that patients are being provided high-quality care in a safe setting. I appreciate the great work of my colleagues in the Legislature and the many advocates from the community who have brought forward these strong policy proposals, and  I look forward to seeing the successful implementation of these reforms.”  

The bill includes provisions related to basic health services administered in assisted living facilities and oversight of long-term care facilities, including the following: 

Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Residents. The legislation requires each long-term care facility to provide staff training on the rights and care of LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV.… Read more.

Comprehensive maternal health legislation expands physical and mental health care options for all pregnant women

BOSTON — Today, Governor Maura Healey signed An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options. This comprehensive legislation will overhaul maternal health practices in Massachusetts and expand coverage for midwifery, birth centers, doulas and screening and treatment for postpartum depression, among several other initiatives to save lives.    

“Massachusetts is home to the best health care, but there was work to be done to improve birth options and health equity for families across the state,” said Governor Healey. “These important expansions in the law will help make it both safer and easier to start and grow a family here in Massachusetts, while making sure that women can make the best health care decisions for themselves.”  

“Midwife services and doula services are essential family planning tools that should be guaranteed for everyone in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “At a time when this country faces a maternal health crisis, I am proud to stand alongside Governor Healey to sign these significant initiatives into law.” 

This legislation would require MassHealth to cover doula services for pregnant people up to 12 months postpartum while mandating insurance coverage for postpartum depression screenings for any member who recently became a parent or lost a pregnancy. MassHealth will also be required to cover midwifery services. This legislation establishes the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health, a nine-member board appointed by the Governor, charged with establishing regulations to govern the practice of midwifery and overseeing the licensure of midwives.   … Read more.

Bill expands access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options

(BOSTON – 8/15/2025) Today, The Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive maternal health bill which creates a state licensure pathway for midwives and lactation consultants, encourages the creation of more freestanding birth centers, establishes a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder, and expands the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program. This legislation also mandates that insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder screenings for perinatal individuals.

“Today we made important strides to reduce maternal health disparities by breaking down barriers to safe, adequate and equitable maternal health care,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and of the conference committee. “This bill takes significant steps to expand coverage and protections for essential health services that are key to improving maternal and perinatal health outcomes, as well as increasing access to care for those whose needs and pain have often been ignored. While we still have work to do to cover and protect the full spectrum of pregnancy care, this legislation addresses some of the most pressing needs and improves the health care system statewide.”

The legislation passed today creates a state license that certified professional midwives must receive in order to practice midwifery, and requires certain insurance providers, such as MassHealth, to cover doula and midwifery services including prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care. The bill creates the Board of Registration in Midwifery within the Department of Public Health (DPH) to license and provide oversight of licensed certified professional midwives.… Read more.

$5.16B housing bond bill adds resources for new units, makes sweeping policy changes to simplify and incentivize development  

(BOSTON—8/5/2024) The Massachusetts Legislature has passed the Affordable Homes Act, the largest housing investment in Massachusetts history and a powerful first step in tackling the state’s housing affordability crisis.  

The legislation authorizes $5.16 billion in bond authorizations and tax credits to spur housing production in Massachusetts, while implementing sweeping policy initiatives to facilitate the development of affordable housing and preserve public housing in Massachusetts.  

“The Affordable Homes Act continues the work of the Legislature to address one of the most pressing needs in the Commonwealth: availability of and accessibility to affordable housing,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation, which features billions in investments from bond authorizations coupled with necessary policy updates, will help to rejuvenate the housing stock across our state. I hear far too often that the lack of affordable housing is hurting our state immeasurably on different levels. We need affordable housing to be in reach to allow our young residents to stay and build their lives in Massachusetts, to prevent our senior citizens and longtime residents from having no way to afford downsizing a house, and to ensure our public safety workers and health care professionals all have access to housing in the areas where they work. This bill will drive the creation and renovation of private and public housing and help remove barriers to stable housing for families across Massachusetts.… Read more.

(BOSTON—8/1/2024) — Governor Maura T. Healey signed into law An Act relative to disability pensions and critical incident stress management for violent crimes. This legislation ensures that first responders who are seriously injured in the line of duty can receive their full compensation until retirement. This applies to police officers, firefighters, public and municipal EMTs, and public and municipal licensed health care professionals. 

“Our first responders go above and beyond to keep our communities safe and respond to emergencies. That’s why it’s critical that we support them when they experience emergencies of their own,” said Governor Healey. “This legislation ensures that first responders who are injured in the line of duty have access to the pay and health care, including mental health care, that they need to support their families and their road to recovery. I’m grateful to the Legislature for prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our first responders and proud to sign this bill.” 

“First responders always have our backs – we need to make sure we have theirs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This legislation sends a clear message that our heroes aren’t alone when they sustain serious injuries. Massachusetts will make sure they have the resources and support needed to get through this difficult time.” 

“We depend on our emergency responders to bravely run toward danger when others are running away. It is imperative they have our full support in the event they are seriously injured while performing their duties,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.… Read more.

Legislation expands harm reduction programs, sober home resources, access to naloxone 

(BOSTON—7/30/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate passed legislation expanding support for residents coping with substance use disorder to stem the toll of an opioid crisis that takes thousands of lives each year.  

S.2898, An Act relative to accessing harm reduction initiatives, enables cities and towns to establish a wide range of measures proven to reduce the harms of drug use, including needle exchange programs, drug screenings, and overdose prevention facilities. It makes strides in studying sober home oversight and resources to support those in recovery, and widely expands access to overdose reversal drugs like naloxone.  

“As the former Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, I know all too well that drug use is a persistent issue that we cannot jail our way out of — we need more tools to reduce deaths from overdose,” said Senator Friedman, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “The opioid crisis continues to grip our communities, and having more options at our disposal to help keep those struggling with substance use disorder alive and safe so that we can get them into evidence-based treatment is so important. I hope to see the legislature come to a resolution on this legislation soon.” 

The bill allows cities and towns to opt in to a number of new harm reduction programs. Those programs include:  

• Needle exchange programs 

• Primary care services, including disease prevention and health screenings 

• Access to, or referrals for, evidence-based treatment options 

• Drug testing services 

• Overdose reversal care 

• Supervision of individuals who consume pre-obtained substances  

Programs that provide overdose reversal care and supervision of individuals who consume pre-obtained substances would require approval by the local board of health, select board or city council, and the state Department of Public Health (DPH).… Read more.

Legislation expands mental health, midwifery, doula offerings

(BOSTON—7/30/2024) Today the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to strengthen access to physical and mental health care for pregnant people and new parents in Massachusetts, an expansion of support systems that is intended to keep parents and newborns healthy as they are welcomed into the world.

S.2899, An Act relative to increasing access to perinatal health care, builds on and improves existing perinatal health resources across the Commonwealth, including mental health resources, midwifery, and doula services.

“Far too often, we see and hear stories that demonstrate how important it is that we act to reduce maternal health disparities and barriers to accessing safe and adequate maternal health care,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “While we still have a long way to go, this legislation makes important strides towards these efforts from the moment pregnancy starts through a year after birth, while increasing access to perinatal health care with reforms to midwifery licensure and birthing centers.”

In an effort to proactively address mental health needs, the legislation requires MassHealth and commercial insurance coverage for post-pregnancy depression screenings. It also mandates the Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop and maintain a comprehensive digital resource center on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. 

It requires postnatal individuals receiving care from a postnatal professional to be offered a screening for post-pregnancy depression. Pediatricians will also offer screenings to postnatal individuals during infant wellness visits.… Read more.

Bill enhances oversight, requires outbreak planning, and creates an LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights 

(BOSTON—7/25/2024) The Massachusetts Senate today approved sweeping reforms to the Commonwealth’s long term care and assisted living sectors, taking a powerful step towards delivering the high quality and safe care that Massachusetts seniors deserve. S.2889, An Act relative to long term care and assisted living, substantially strengthens oversight and enforcement while also requiring facilities to create outbreak plans should a health issue arise. 

The bill also creates an LGBTQ+ bill of rights for aging residents to prohibit discrimination based on their LGBTQ+ identity or HIV status. After robust debate, Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) joined her colleagues in unanimously passing the bill. 

“Long term care and support of our aging population are essential to the sustainability of our state’s health care system,” said Senator Friedman, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This legislation contains so many important reforms that continue the Senate’s work to promote accessible, affordable, and high-quality care, a goal that cannot be limited to hospital care. I thank Senator Jehlen for her dedicated work on this legislation and for her collaboration while the bill was in the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.” 

The bill includes provisions related to basic health services administered in assisted living facilities and oversight of long term care facilities, including the following. 

Assisted Living Basic Health Services. The bill makes it easier for residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities to get timely and efficient care by allowing Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) to offer basic health services such as helping a resident administer drops, manage their oxygen, or take a home diagnostic test.… Read more.