Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 245: 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 accommodations and aligning with healthcare access rights.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4025: An Act providing equity and fairness to POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease

HD 4025 amends a state law to extend disability benefits for POST-certified police officers disabled by cardiac disease to additional police forces. The bill adds the University of Massachusetts police, Massachusetts Port Authority police, state university and community college police, environmental law enforcement, and Department of Mental Health campus police to the list of covered entities. Previously, officers in these forces were excluded from the same benefit provision that applied to entities like the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. This change directly affects POST-certified officers in these newly included forces by making them eligible for the same cardiac disability benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends disability benefits to additional police forces, supporting officer welfare within law enforcement - a key component of criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends disability benefits for cardiac disease (a healthcare condition) to additional police forces, expanding healthcare access for covered officers with specific health needs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends disability benefits to additional police officer groups, expanding worker benefits under employment protections for covered entities previously excluded.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3821: An Act enhancing podiatric profession's registration and oversight

By Representative Rogers of Norwood, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 459) of John H. Rogers relative to the board of registration in podiatry within the board of registration in medicine. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnhances podiatry registration oversight, strengthening professional standards and patient safety within healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3582: An Act relative to music therapy licensure

This bill would establish a state board to regulate music therapy licensure. It directly affects music therapists seeking to practice professionally and patients receiving music therapy services. The key provision creates a new board under the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure committee to set standards, issue licenses, and oversee compliance for music therapists. This would require practitioners to meet specific qualifications before offering services to the public. The bill does not change therapy practices but creates a formal licensing process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure standards for music therapists, enhancing professional regulation and patient safety in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2236: Resolve relative to children’s mental health in social media

By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 2236) of Joshua Tarsky for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to promote safe social media use, identify best practices for social media platforms to safeguard children’s mental health, and develop guidelines for safe social media use. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to develop guidelines safeguarding children's mental health via social media, directly supporting mental health services as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3884: An Act relative to emergency medical transportation provided to veterans

By Representative Smola of Warren, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3884) of Todd M. Smola and Steven George Xiarhos relative to emergency medical transportation provided to veterans. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides emergency medical transportation for veterans, improving access to emergency healthcare services. Explicitly addresses healthcare service provision.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates emergency medical transportation for veterans, directly enhancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2641: An Act relative to establishing a commission to study the feasibility of joining the counseling compact

This bill creates a commission to study whether Massachusetts should join the counseling compact, an interstate agreement that would allow licensed mental health counselors to practice across state lines more easily. The commission includes legislative leaders, mental health agency representatives, and members from professional associations like the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association. It must study feasibility, make recommendations, and submit a report to the legislature within six months of the bill's passage. The bill itself does not change current licensure rules but sets up a process to evaluate potential future policy changes affecting mental health counselors and their clients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study joining counseling compact, enabling cross-state mental health counseling access, advancing patient access to mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2492: An Act require a suitable ride home from the hospital for all cognitively impaired discharges

By Representative Marsi of Dudley, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2492) of John J. Marsi and Joseph D. McKenna relative to transportation from medical centers for cognitively impaired discharges. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transportation for cognitively impaired patients post-discharge, improving access to safe care transitions and aligning with public health protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2051: Resolve relative to children’s mental health in social media

HD 2051 creates a special commission to investigate how social media affects children's mental health and safety in Massachusetts. The commission, including health officials, educators, advocates, and youth representatives, will study risks like cyberbullying, addictive features, and harmful content, and examine how social media algorithms work. It will also identify best practices for social media companies to protect children and develop recommendations for parents, schools, and public awareness. The commission must submit its final report and draft legislation by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study social media's impact on children's mental health and develop protective recommendations, supporting mental health services within healthcare framework.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates commission to study social media's impact on children's mental health and develop best practices for companies, aligning with regulating tech for consumer safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3534: An Act relative to PANDAS/PANS screening in medical/clinical settings

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1249) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Steven Owens and Samantha Montaño relative to PANDAS/PANS screening in medical/clinical settings. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates PANDAS/PANS screening in clinical settings, enabling early detection and treatment of neurological conditions, directly advancing patient access to specialized healthcare services.95% confidence

Track