H 1144 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing

HD 2326, titled "An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing," restricts when health care providers can charge facility fees - fees for hospital-related services separate from professional medical fees. It prohibits these fees except for services on a hospital campus, at facilities with licensed emergency departments, or for emergency services at satellite emergency locations. The bill requires providers to give patients written notice about facility fees before or during care, clearly identify hospital-affiliated locations, and post warnings about potential higher costs compared to non-hospital settings. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per occurrence and are classified as unfair trade practices under state law. This directly affects hospitals, health systems, and patients receiving services where facility fees might otherwise be charged unexpectedly.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Oct 20, 2025
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
5
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Financial Services
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Paul Donato
Paul Donato
DDemocratic
MA
35th Middlesex