Malden Delegation Announces Passage of Legislation to Maximize Federal Funding for Massachusetts

BOSTON (October 3, 2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a bill that will enable the Commonwealth to effectively compete for federal grant funding across multiple sectors, including transportation, housing, climate, economic development, and technology innovation.

An Act to provide for competitiveness and infrastructure investment in Massachusetts leverages the interest accrued on the Commonwealth’s Stabilization Fund to provide required state matching funds needed to compete for many federal funding opportunities. Through three pieces of federal legislation-- the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act-- more than $2 trillion is being made available to states through competitive grant programs and formula allocations. With the passage of this bill, the Commonwealth will be maximizing its ability to capitalize on these substantial federal funding opportunities.

“We should do everything possible to maximize our share of federal grant opportunities that help save money for Massachusetts taxpayers,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “Using excess interest from the Commonwealth’s Stabilization Fund to unlock these federal opportunities is a smart way to do so, and will enable the state and local municipalities to fund many important infrastructure projects in the years to come.”

“I am delighted to see the passage of this transformative legislation, as we commit to increasing our competitiveness and investments into vital infrastructure for the Commonwealth,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “We are now able to strategically position ourselves to compete for federal grants that can be used to increase funding for essential services. Also, with the help of the Stabilization Fund, its excess interest can help assist in the long-term prosperity of Massachusetts.”

“This piece of legislation allows Massachusetts to keep our competitive edge in obtaining federal grant dollars so we can continue to support the growth of our cities and towns,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “This agreement will not only save taxpayer dollars but allow us to extend funding to further invest in transportation, infrastructure, climate resiliency, and job creation to create a better future for our Commonwealth.”

“I was glad to join the full legislature in supporting this legislation to ensure Massachusetts is well-positioned to compete for federal funding opportunities,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “Using the interest accumulated in our Rainy Day Fund, which has a historically high balance, we will be able to seek investments that will enhance the economic vitality and infrastructure of our communities, supporting workforce opportunities in the process.”

At its current level, the Stabilization Fund is anticipated to accumulate approximately $250 million in interest annually. This bill will allow the state to transfer interest from the Stabilization Fund to the Commonwealth Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund when amounts exceed 10 percent of budgeted revenues for the previous fiscal year and the balance of the fund has not decreased in the previous year. When a diversion does occur, the interest will be used for two key purposes: required matching funds for federal grants during this unique opportunity to capture federal investments; and long-term debt management strategies.

Over the coming years, this bill is expected to unlock more than $800 million in funds that will be used to cover the state or municipal match requirement for federal competitive grant opportunities, as well as planning work that will help municipalities with the process of preparing applications for federal grants. Once federal grant opportunities expire, money left in this fund will go toward reducing the Commonwealth’s long-term liabilities.

After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill into law on September 24, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Supports Passage of Comprehensive Maternal Health Legislation

BOSTON (September 20,2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a comprehensive maternal health bill that 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 health insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder screenings for perinatal individuals.

“Access to affordable, high-quality healthcare should be a basic human right and even in Massachusetts there is more we can and must do to improve healthcare,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “This important legislation will significantly improve access to care and reduce racial disparities for new mothers and infants, and continue to make Massachusetts a national and global leader in reproductive healthcare.”

“This comprehensive maternal health bill represents the legislature's commitment to addressing health care disparities, improving midwifery, prenatal, and postpartum care, and ensuring every mother has access to quality healthcare,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “It is important that we invest into maternal health because not only are we supporting families, but we are also strengthening our communities. I am honored to have co-sponsored such an important public health bill.”

“This groundbreaking legislation reflects Massachusetts’ promise and dedication to strengthening access to affordable and high-quality maternal healthcare,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “By expanding access to essential care and supports, we are taking a step in the right direction in closing the gaps that exist in maternal health care, especially for birthing people of color.”

“I was glad to join my colleagues in the Legislature in supporting this critical legislation to enhance maternal health broadly and to reduce maternal health disparities in our communities of color,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “As a mother who suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of my first son, I’m particularly proud of the provisions ensuring that all new mothers be offered a postpartum depression screening covered by insurance. Following the birth of my second son, I received such screenings at each of his pediatrician appointments– something that did not exist with my first motherhood experience and benefitted firsthand from the attention that such a responsive resource offered.”

Key provisions in this new law include:

● Creating a state licensure pathway for certified professional midwives, and requiring certain insurance providers, such as MassHealth, to cover midwifery and doula services including prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care.

● Encouraging the creation of more freestanding birth centers, which operate independently from hospital systems, by requiring the Department of Public Health (DPH) to promulgate updated regulations governing the licensure of freestanding birth centers to ensure safe, accessible, and equitable birth options.

● Requiring that MassHealth cover noninvasive prenatal screenings to detect whether a pregnancy is at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities for all pregnant women regardless of age, baseline risk, or family history.

● Requiring health insurers to cover medically necessary pasteurized donor human milk and products derived from it, serving as a critical source of nutrition for the growth and development of babies, particularly for vulnerable premature infants.

● Requiring DPH to conduct a public awareness campaign about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and to develop and maintain a digital resource center that will be available to the public.

● Requiring that perinatal individuals be offered a screening for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder, and that those services be covered by health insurance plans.

● Expanding the universal postpartum home visiting program administered by DPH and providing coverage for the program’s services to better address access barriers and reduce racial inequities in maternal health.

● Allowing Massachusetts residents to use their earned paid sick time in the event of a pregnancy loss.

● Establishing a grant program under the Executive Office of Health and Human Services aimed at addressing maternal mental health to support the creation or expansion of initiatives serving perinatal individuals, particularly those in underserved populations, to improve mental health and substance use disorder prevention and treatment.

● Establishing a task force to study the current availability of, and access to, maternal health services and care, as well as essential service closures of inpatient maternity units and acute-level birthing centers. The task force will identify methods of increasing financial investment in, and patient access to, maternal healthcare in the Commonwealth.

After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the bill was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on August 23, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov

Malden Delegation Supports Passage of Animal Welfare Legislation

BOSTON (September 13, 2024) —State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass an animal welfare bill that bans the use of elephants, big cats, bears, primates, and giraffes in traveling acts, such as circuses. Massachusetts is the sixth state in the nation to enact similar legislation.

“As a life-long animal welfare advocate, I’m very pleased that Massachusetts has taken action to protect these incredible animals from mistreatment in traveling circuses,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “If people wish to see these animals outside of their natural habitats, they should visit accredited zoos, like the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, where the animals are well cared for by professional veterinarians and other staff.”

“This bill is a monumental step forward for animal rights in the Commonwealth,” said State Representative Paul Donato. “I am inspired that the legislature took a stand against the misuse of these majestic animals for entertainment purposes. These creatures deserve to live in an environment that respects their natural behaviors and well-being. I am proud of my colleagues for coming together to show our commitment to the ethical treatment of all animals.”

“I am proud of the legislature’s work to protect animals and the advocacy for animal welfare. The passage of the animal welfare bill and the ban of certain animals in traveling acts will protect animals who are unable to protect themselves,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino. “With this bill, Massachusetts will no longer allow animals to be subject to mistreatment for the sake of entertainment.”

“I was glad to join my colleagues to make Massachusetts the sixth state to ban the use of elephants, big cats, bears, primates, and giraffes in traveling acts,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “Traveling acts, such as circuses, have long been known for their mistreatment and poor conditions for such animals. This legislation ensures our Commonwealth is protecting these animals and promoting their welfare.”

Circuses and other traveling shows are known for fostering dangerous conditions for large animals. Fortunately, many major establishments, such as the Topsfield Fair, have already stopped displaying these animals in recent years.

This legislation will prohibit traveling acts, such as circuses, carnivals, and fairs, from using certain large animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, bears, elephants, giraffes, and primates for entertainment starting in January, 2025. Animals that live at the zoo; animals used for filming movies; and non-exotic animals such as horses, chickens, pigs, and rabbits will be exempt from this new law.

After passing in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, this legislation was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on August 9, 2024.

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Press Contact:

Hannah Li

Office of State Representative Steve Ultrino

Hannah.Li@MAHouse.gov