An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism
This bill amends Massachusetts law to require the state's medical assistance program to cover specific treatments for adults aged 21 and older with developmental, intellectual, or autism spectrum disorders. The legislation mandates that the program pay for medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative care, including applied behavior analysis and various communication devices like tablets. These services must be deemed medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist and are intended to help individuals develop, maintain, or restore their functioning. The law directly affects the state's healthcare division and the adult population diagnosed with these specific conditions.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Mar 2024
House Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action May 6, 2024
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Mar 28, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
upper
1 primary · 17 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Keenan
DDemocratic
Co
Becca Rausch
DDemocratic
Co
Brendan Crighton
DDemocratic
Co
Carmine Gentile
DDemocratic
Co
Jack Lewis
DDemocratic
Co
Jamie Eldridge
DDemocratic
Co
Jay Barrows
RRepublican
Co
Jo Comerford
DDemocratic
Co
Joan Lovely
DDemocratic
Co
John Cronin
DDemocratic
Co
Mike Brady
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 97
Scope: MA
Hi! I can help you understand S 97. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline