Week in Review

Five Stories Making News in North Reading Last Week

Snow captivated our attention, but there was a lot going on in town.

Patch takes a look back at the top news-making stories in North Reading from the past week:

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New MA Law Mandates Coverage for Autism Treatments

Insurers must begin providing coverage when a patient’s policy renews this year. North Reading schools do not expect to see an impact on their services.

A new state law that went into effect Jan. 1 aims to make certain treatments, tests and services for autism more affordable for Massachusetts families. The law, which Gov. Deval Patrick signed last August, requires health insurers in Massachusetts to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, which includes autism disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorders, according to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Private insurers, employers and retirees under the state plan, hospital service plans, and health maintenance organizations all would be required to begin providing coverage when a patient’s policy renews this year. According to Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, a …

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New Massachusetts Laws Ring in New Year

One new state law improves autism health care, another imposes penalties on schools for not monitoring head injuries in student-athletes.

Massachusetts rang in the new year with a host of new laws that took effect Jan. 1. The measures were passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Deval Patrick. Here's a sampling of the new laws: House Bill 4935 makes health care for those with autism "more affordable," Patrick said. Senate Bill 2469 imposes penalties on school athletic programs that do not take steps to prevent and monitor students who have suffered head injuries. The law actually took effect last year, though the penalty stipulation kicked in Jan. 1. House Bill 4285 requires coolant and antifreeze sold in the state to contain a bittering agent that prevents the toxic substances from being ingested. The law is aimed at protecting young children and animals. Patrick …

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DiPaola Successor Likely to be Named by Week's End

Governor is expected to name Middlesex County sheriff by Jan. 1.

By Jan. 1, Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to name a successor to Middlesex County Sheriff James V. DiPaola, who authorities say killed himself in a Maine hotel room in November after he came under scrutiny for planning to simultaneously collect a pension and salary. The successor Patrick plans to name by the beginning of the new year will hold office until the next state election in 2012, according to reports from the Associated Press. A spokesman from the governor's office said Tuesday that the announcement is expected to be made soon. DiPaola won reelection as Middlesex County sheriff in the Nov. 2 election, but announced his retirement on Nov. 22, effective Jan. 6, after The Boston Globe reported that he planned to exploit a loophole …

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