H 4048 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to reduce infection rate post surgery

This bill requires all Massachusetts hospitals operating surgical intensive care units (SICUs) to mandate that staff and visitors wear medical or surgical masks in patient rooms or areas where patients are present. It defines SICUs as specialized post-surgical care units within Commonwealth-operated hospitals. Hospitals must also display clear signage informing visitors of this mask requirement. The Health Policy Commission is tasked with creating implementing regulations, but the core policy change is the mandatory mask-wearing rule in designated SICU settings.
Sub-Topics: Public Health
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Apr 22, 2025 Last action Mar 16, 2026
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
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Public Health
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shirley Arriaga
Shirley Arriaga
DDemocratic
MA
8th Hampden