HIGHER EDUCATION

An act establishing a student loan bill of rights -- Establishes a bill of rights for student loan borrowers in Massachusetts, licenses student loan servicers that operate in Massachusetts, and with those fees, creates an office of the student loan ombudsman, to better educate and support student loan borrowers across the Commonwealth.

An Act to establish a finish line grant program to encourage college completion -- creates a scholarship to cover the entire cost of tuition and fees for any year after the first leading to an associate or bachelor’s degree at a Massachusetts public college or university for Massachusetts residents whose household income fall under twice the median household income.

An act relative to breaking generational cycles of poverty.-- Establishes a fund to be used to provide and fund job opportunities for students who receive cash assistance under transitional aid to families with dependent children (TAFDC) and who are enrolled full-time in a certificate or associate’s degree program at a community college in Massachusetts.

An Act to fund a more affordable public higher education system in Massachusetts (in house counsel) Directs the casino revenue dedicated to public higher education to the Finish Line Grant (HD3443 -- see above).

SEXUAL VIOLENCE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

An act relative to sexual assault counselor task force -- establishes a task force to make recommendations on establishing statewide certification and updating training standards for sexual assault counselors.

An act relative to innocent spouses -- This bill would make it clear that a divorced or legally separated spouse or a spouse/joint filer who has lived separately from the other for at least one year, may elect to avoid liability for understatements of the other spouse/joint filer.  These changes are based on recent federal changes.

Mental Health Education

H.482 -- An Act relative to the promotion of mental health education
This legislation mandates mental health education in our public and private schools. Mental health education programs shall recognize multiple dimensions of health by including mental health, so as to enhance student understanding, attitudes and behaviors that promote health, well-being and human dignity.

H.483 -- An Act relative to Safety And Violence Education for Students (the SAVE Students Act)
This new legislation in Massachusetts is aimed at combating the crisis of violence, bullying, and suicide that is devastating our nation’s schools. If passed, this bill would set a new national standard for statewide school safety programming.

Increasing Access and Removing Stigma around Mental Health Care

H.1001 -- An Act relative to behavioral health telemedicine
Allows for coverage for behavioral health services provided by telemedicine at a rate of reimbursement no less than the applicable coverage for behavioral health care services provided through in-person consultation or in-person delivery of services.

H.1721 -- An Act to expand access to medically assisted treatment providers
Creates a voluntary professional training module for physicians on the prescribing and administration of naltrexone, both pill and injectable form, for the treatment of opioid use disorders and alcohol use disorders. 

H.1722 -- An Act relative to the safe care of residents with active substance use disorder accessing skilled nursing facility care

H.1723 -- An Act to further define medical necessity determinations
Clarifies that medical necessary services for mental health treatment shall be determined by the treating clinician in consultation with the patient and noted in the patient’s medical record

H.1000 -- An Act relative to mental health providers
Would add occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistants to the law defining licensed mental health providers.