Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 1427: An Act prohibiting municipal bans of face coverings for protective or medical use

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1427) of William N. Brownsberger, Joanne M. Comerford, Colleen M. Garry and Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to prohibit municipal bans of face coverings for protective or medical use. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits municipal bans on face coverings for medical use, protecting patient access to necessary medical aids and aligning with patient rights indicators.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 4456: An Act expanding licensure opportunity for school counselors

This bill (H 4456) modifies Massachusetts licensure requirements for mental health counselors to directly benefit school counselors. It allows school counselors (already licensed as specialized instructional support personnel) to apply their existing graduate coursework and supervised clinical experience toward mental health counselor licensure, including credits from programs under 60 credits. Applicants must still complete two additional years of supervised clinical experience (with specific supervision requirements) and evidence-based suicide prevention training. The bill explicitly permits school counselors to take the mental health counselor licensure exam, streamlining their path to expanded practice.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands licensure pathways for school counselors, enabling them to provide mental health services in K-12 schools without redundant requirements, directly supporting student access to counseling services and educator professional development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health counselor licensure pathways, increasing access to school-based mental health services by reducing barriers for existing school counselors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Massachusetts · House May 21, 2025

H 4150: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

H 4150 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025 (ending June 30, 2025). It allocates specific funding amounts to state agencies and programs, including $95.5 million for income-eligible child care, $134.5 million for medical assistance, $5.8 million for veterans' benefits, and $6 million for park improvements at UMass Lowell. The bill also includes minor technical updates to existing laws, such as creating a special fund for the Inspector General and adjusting deadlines for benefit programs. It directly affects state agencies administering these programs and the residents who rely on their services, like families using child care assistance and veterans receiving benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $95.5M for child care, $134.5M for medical assistance, and other public services via supplemental appropriations, directly increasing funding for essential programs.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $134.5M for medical assistance, directly funding healthcare services and coverage under state programs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill allocates $5.8 million specifically for veterans' benefits, directly funding this topic area per the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2223: An Act to establish the Whole Child Grant Program

HD 2223 establishes the Whole Child Grant Program to fund public school districts in Massachusetts for student and educator wellbeing. The bill creates a dedicated fund administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, providing $150 per pupil for districts with 20%+ low-income students, $100 for 10-20%, and $50 for under 10%. Funds must be used for specific, allowable purposes including hiring school nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists (following state and national staffing recommendations), implementing mental health programs, and developing policies on student safety and technology use. School districts must submit plans detailing fund allocation, agree to supplement existing funding (not replace it), and report annually on expenditures and progress. The program directly affects all public school districts, with increased support targeted to those serving higher concentrations of low-income students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds K-12 wellbeing programs via grants for staff (nurses, counselors) in high-need districts, directly advancing student/educator support through targeted funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates funds specifically for school nurses, counselors, and psychologists - directly supporting mental health services and healthcare access in schools per allowable uses.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 1999: An Act relative to cannabis research

By Representative Finn of West Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 151) of Michael J. Finn relative to medical cannabis research. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill focuses on medical cannabis research, advancing healthcare research and potential treatment options for patients.85% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1595: An Act enabling trained school personnel to administer life saving epinephrine treatment

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1595) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to enable trained school personnel to administer life saving epinephrine treatment. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables school personnel to administer life-saving epinephrine for allergic reactions, improving emergency health access in schools as part of public health. Directly expands healthcare service access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2209: An Act establishing a special commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including but not limited to investigation of PTSD caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2209) of Colleen M. Garry relative to establishing a commission on post traumatic stress disorder. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to investigate PTSD (mental health), directly addressing mental health services under healthcare topic, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 2, 2025

S 946: An Act creating a scholarship fund to increase the number of medical providers who are knowledgeable in autism

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 946) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to create a scholarship fund to increase the number of medical providers who are knowledgeable in autism. Higher Education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates scholarship fund to increase autism-specialized medical providers, directly improving healthcare access and provider expertise in a critical health area.90% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4049: An Act relative to the creation of an endometriosis task force

This bill creates a state task force to address endometriosis in Massachusetts. The task force, led by the health and human services secretary and including government officials, medical society representatives, patient advocates, and industry stakeholders, will develop annual reports on research, care access, and treatment advances. It must create and update a strategic plan to improve health outcomes, focusing on research, early diagnosis, public awareness, and care delivery for people with endometriosis. The task force will submit its annual recommendations to the governor and state legislators by December 31 each year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to improve endometriosis care through research, diagnosis, and access - advancing healthcare services and patient outcomes.95% confidence

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 24, 2025

H 2723: An Act relative to American Sign Language training

By Representative Vaughn of Wrentham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2723) of Marcus S. Vaughn for legislation to provide sign language training for public safety personnel and emergency medical personnel. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides ASL training for emergency medical personnel to improve communication with deaf patients, enhancing patient access in healthcare settings.85% confidence

Track