Senate, July 23, 2026 -- Text of amendment (511) (offered by Senator Creem) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3178) to the House Bill relative to economic development in the commonwealth.
Senate, July 23, 2026 -- Text of amendment (471) (offered by Senator Rush) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3178) to the House Bill relative to economic development in the commonwealth.
Senate, July 23, 2026 -- Text of amendment (110) (offered by Senator Mark) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3178) to the House Bill relative to economic development in the commonwealth.
Senate, July 23, 2026 -- Text of amendment (277) (offered by Senator Gómez) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3178) to the House Bill relative to economic development in the commonwealth.
Senate, July 23, 2026 -- Text of amendment (151) (offered by Senator Brownsberger) to the Ways and Means amendment (Senate, No. 3178) to the House Bill relative to economic development in the commonwealth.
By Representative Shand of Newburyport and Senator Finegold, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Dawne Shand and Barry R. Finegold for legislation to establish a sick leave bank for Andrew Bartlett, an employee of the Department of Public Health. Public Service.
This bill amends existing state legislation to allow vessels to cross over State Highway Route 28 in the town of Barnstable. Specifically, it authorizes the transportation of boats at various intersections within the villages of Marston Mills and Osterville. The amendment modifies Chapter 390 of the acts of 2024, incorporating language added in 2025 to clarify these crossing permissions. This policy change directly affects maritime navigation and transportation within the specified areas of Barnstable.
This bill creates a special legislative commission to study perimenopause and menopause care across Massachusetts, with 19 members representing diverse health, community, and advocacy organizations. The commission will collect data on care access and disparities, evaluate insurance coverage and treatment options, identify gaps in medical education for providers, and submit a report with recommendations by December 2027. Additionally, the state Department of Public Health will develop public education materials in multiple languages about menopause symptoms and treatments, provide training for healthcare workers, and support research on causes and therapies. The bill also establishes September as Perimenopause Awareness Month to increase public understanding of this life stage.
This bill requires insurance plans and Medicaid to approve non-emergency medical transportation (like ambulances and wheelchair vans) for specific services - dialysis, behavioral health, and post-acute care - valid for at least 3 business days, reducing delays for patients. It also mandates that insurers pay providers at least 2.5 times standard rates for these services to ensure adequate compensation. The law applies to Medicaid managed care organizations, commercial insurers, and health plans covering these transportation needs. A study on reimbursement adequacy and workforce impacts is also required.
H 5046 ("Freddy’s Law") requires all Massachusetts high school athletes participating in MIAA sports to undergo one electrocardiogram (EKG) screening before competing, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates that all health insurance plans sold in Massachusetts - including state employee coverage, employer group plans, and individual policies - must cover this screening at no cost to families. It also directs the state to work with the MIAA to create policies covering athlete compliance, handling abnormal results, religious exemptions, and sharing screening results across schools. The law directly affects all high school athletes in MIAA sports and their insurance providers, ensuring EKG screenings are accessible without out-of-pocket costs.
H 5039 establishes the Massachusetts Merged Market Advisory Council to study the state’s combined health insurance market for small businesses and individuals (regulated under Chapter 176J). The council, composed of 13 members including industry experts and government officials, will analyze market data, identify affordability challenges, and recommend policy changes to stabilize coverage. It must submit a final report with findings and suggestions by December 2026, considering factors like premium trends, cross-subsidization, and new coverage options. This bill directly affects small employers and individuals purchasing health insurance in Massachusetts’ merged market.
This bill (H 5045) requires transparency for dental networks leased by third-party insurers. It mandates that Provider Network Entities (which manage dental provider networks) must provide dentists with written notices listing all insurance plans (Third-Party Health Plans) accessing their network, including specific fee schedules and administrative policies. Third-party Health Plans must also clearly inform patients when they use a leased network, report annually on patient usage per network, and maintain consistent quality standards across all networks they access. The law directly affects dentists participating in leased networks, insurers leasing networks, and patients receiving dental care through these arrangements.
