Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 2203: An Act establishing a pilot program for access to regulated psilocybin

HD 4196 establishes a two-year pilot program (starting January 2026) allowing research into psilocybin-assisted therapy for adults aged 21+ with specific conditions like PTSD, end-of-life distress, or depression in designated areas. The program, managed by the Department of Public Health, will partner with universities and community-based providers (such as mental health clinics and hospices) to conduct studies under FDA-approved pathways. Key provisions include developing professional standards, training facilitators, collecting data on efficacy and cost, and reporting annually to legislative committees on statewide impacts and potential MassHealth coverage feasibility. The pilot focuses solely on research in controlled settings, not legalization, with funding covering administration, training, data collection, and community education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes pilot program for psilocybin therapy for PTSD, expanding mental health treatment access under Department of Public Health90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 2208: An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund

HD 2877 creates the Perinatal Behavioral Health Care Workforce Trust Fund to address shortages in mental health providers specializing in perinatal care (pregnancy through one year post-birth). The fund provides grants to organizations developing training programs for behavioral health professionals serving perinatal individuals, with priority given to programs targeting medically underserved populations or areas with racial, geographic, or health outcome disparities. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must administer the grants, publish annual reports on grant recipients, participant demographics, and program impacts, and ensure funds address workforce shortages. This bill directly affects perinatal individuals (including new parents, adoptive/foster parents, and those experiencing pregnancy loss) in underserved communities by aiming to expand access to specialized mental health care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes trust fund for perinatal behavioral health workforce, directly funding mental health services under healthcare topic per bill title and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 3762: An Act relative to The Ride service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

This bill (HD 2613) requires the MBTA's The Ride service to provide transportation to Boston for medical appointments for residents living within 25 miles of Boston. It directly affects low-income or medically-needing residents in that geographic area who rely on The Ride for healthcare access. The key provision mandates the MBTA to offer this service, with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board responsible for reimbursing the MBTA's costs. The bill establishes a clear funding mechanism to ensure the service remains available without direct MBTA expense.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands MBTA 'The Ride' services for medical transportation, improving patient access to healthcare services within 25 miles of Boston.65% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2551: An Act relative to public health volunteer responders

HD 2073 creates a state registry for volunteer health personnel (like nurses, EMTs, or public health workers) who can be activated during emergencies. The Department of Public Health will verify their licenses, require training, and establish a process to credential volunteers. During declared public health emergencies, state emergencies, or when local resources are exhausted, the commissioner can activate volunteers, granting them employee status for legal protections and benefits (like workers' compensation) under state law during their duty. This directly affects health volunteers who sign up for the registry and the state's emergency response capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health volunteer registry to enhance service delivery and program support, aligning with strengthening public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 2490: An Act establishing a physical therapy licensure compact

This bill establishes a physical therapy licensure compact, allowing physical therapists licensed in one member state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed physical therapists seeking to provide care across state lines and patients in states with participating licenses. Key mechanisms include mutual recognition of licenses, requiring therapists to hold an unencumbered home-state license, pass background checks, pay fees, and meet any remote state's jurisprudence requirements. The compact also mandates states to share disciplinary information and maintain data systems for oversight, while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice within its borders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes physical therapy licensure compact, enabling cross-state practice and improving patient access to physical therapy services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2223: An Act relative to benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

HD 2523 defines benzodiazepines (like alprazolam) and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (like zolpidem) for regulatory purposes. It requires pharmacists to include bolded cautionary statements about long-term use risks on medication labels and to distribute educational pamphlets covering misuse, addiction risks, storage, and treatment resources. The bill also mandates written patient consent before prescribing these drugs, limits refills to less than 10 days without a new prescription, and creates a commission to study safe discontinuation protocols. These changes directly affect patients prescribed these medications, pharmacists, and healthcare providers in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates benzodiazepines to improve mental health and substance use treatment protocols under Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 422: An Act relative to creating a voluntary licensure pathway for traditional Asian bodywork therapy practices

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 422) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf for legislation to establish a board of registration of Asian bodywork therapy. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishing licensure for bodywork therapy creates regulatory standards for health services, aligning with healthcare regulation and consumer protection in the profession.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 2607: An Act establishing the hospital to home partnership program

Senate, September 18, 2025 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 495) of John C. Velis, Paul K. Frost, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to codify the Hospital to Home Partnership Program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2607).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes hospital-to-home partnership program improving patient transition care, enhancing access to post-hospital services and continuity of care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2230: An Act relative to overdose mapping

This bill requires emergency medical services, hospitals, law enforcement, and other first responders to record and submit the location of both fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses to the state department within 24 hours. The data will be compiled into a public online database by the Center for Health Information Analysis, showing overdose locations across Massachusetts without revealing personal details like names or addresses. All data collection must comply with federal privacy rules (HIPAA), and the database will be updated monthly with new reports. The law takes effect January 1, 2024, aiming to improve public health tracking of the opioid crisis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates public overdose database under Mental Health/Substance Use, enabling data-driven public health initiatives and resource allocation for healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 4200: An Act authorizing a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James J. O'Day for legislation to authorize a pilot program for the use of psychedelics in certain licensed treatment facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes psychedelic pilot for mental health/substance use treatment, expanding access to innovative care under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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