By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1718) of Joan B. Lovely, Vanna Howard, Hannah Kane, Paul W. Mark and other members of the General Court for legislation to require health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence. Public Safety and Homeland Security.
By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 30) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to protect children from addictive social media feeds. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
This bill creates a 23-member Healthcare Industry Recruitment and Education Advisory Council to advise state agencies on workforce development strategies and establishes the HIRE Fund, financed by excise taxes and other sources. The fund must allocate at least 30% annually through competitive grants to support healthcare education, including facility upgrades, expanded health science programs, faculty pipelines, and culturally competent curricula in low-income schools. It specifically targets increasing diversity in healthcare careers by prioritizing grants for underrepresented youth through summer internships, mentorship, and partnerships with healthcare providers. The bill directly affects healthcare education institutions, K-12 schools in underserved areas, and underrepresented student populations seeking healthcare careers. The council must submit annual recommendations by March 31, including draft legislation to implement its findings.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2077) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to tax credits for affordable housing. Revenue.
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1367) of Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a standard for prevention of heat illness in outdoor public sector workers. Labor and Workforce Development.
This bill requires hospitals in Massachusetts to provide 90 days' notice before closing or discontinuing any "essential health service." The Department of Health must define "essential health service" through regulation, hold public hearings on proposed closures, and assess whether the closure would reduce access to necessary care in the community. Hospitals must also submit a community benefits plan - including strategies for maintaining essential services - to the Department when applying for a new acute-care hospital license. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to close facilities or discontinue services, and the Department of Health, which gains oversight authority to protect access to critical care.
This bill amends the legal definition of "office-based surgical center" in Massachusetts law. It defines such centers as offices or facilities owned/operated by medical practitioners (solo or group) providing surgical services, while explicitly excluding hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and facilities following specific surgical guidelines. The definition also clarifies that dental practices and oral/maxillofacial surgery by licensed dentists are not covered under this definition. This change directly affects medical practices operating in non-hospital settings seeking to provide surgical services.
HD 1266 creates a new "senior psychologist" licensure category in Massachusetts, specifically for psychologists who hold a doctoral degree in psychology and have been licensed and practicing in another state for many years but lack accessible paper records of their training. The state Board of Psychology must establish this category by July 1, 2026, and set specific requirements through regulation, including proof of a regionally accredited doctoral degree, minimum years licensed in other states (members of ASPB), years of recent practice, and a clean disciplinary record. The bill allows the board to require standard exams like the jurisprudence test but prohibits adding unreasonable burdens on applicants. This change directly affects out-of-state psychologists seeking licensure in Massachusetts who face documentation challenges.
HD 3046 requires external medical reviews for denied treatments to be conducted by a Massachusetts-licensed physician certified in the relevant specialty. This physician must identify themselves to the patient, provide a detailed written report with peer-reviewed citations, conduct physical exams when needed, and carry malpractice insurance. The bill also allows patients to appeal denied reviews in superior court and, if successful, recover all attorney fees and costs from the health plan. It directly affects patients challenging insurance denials for medical care. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in the external review process.
HD 2790 requires Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families to create action plans for parents with substance use disorder, allowing parents to help design these plans and listing available resources. It mandates objective standards in plans to gradually increase restricted parenting time and permits recovery coaches or licensed counselors to attend department meetings. The bill also requires the department to provide family counseling after six months of maintained recovery (if appropriate for the child's best interests) and to train staff using input from recovery professionals and medical experts. This directly affects parents in child welfare cases seeking to maintain or regain parenting rights while addressing substance use.
By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2041) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to close a corporate tax haven loophole. Revenue.
This bill creates a state program to help towns reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon storage on natural lands like forests, wetlands, and farms. Municipalities qualify for grants, loans, and technical assistance by adopting specific local policies - such as tree protection ordinances, land conservation zoning, or fees for development that harms natural areas. The program uses existing funding from the Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund to support these local climate actions. It directly affects participating towns that choose to implement qualifying land management strategies.
