Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 28, 2026

H 2506: An Act decriminalizing psilocybin as a treatment for PTSD and certain other conditions

This bill allows limited possession and transfer of psilocybin for specific groups: U.S. veterans, current/former law enforcement officers, and individuals with medically diagnosed qualifying conditions (like PTSD, based on clinical studies), provided they have no disqualifying conditions (e.g., schizophrenia). It permits up to 2 grams of psilocybin for personal use and up to 50 grams of dried mushrooms for non-commercial transfer, but explicitly prohibits sales, medical use authorization, or driving under its influence. The bill requires public health officials to publish annual lists of qualifying/disqualifying conditions with supporting studies, while stressing the state does not endorse psilocybin as a treatment. It expires if psilocybin is classified as a Schedule II drug under federal law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDecriminalizes psilocybin for PTSD treatment, expanding access to mental health therapy options under public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 2196: An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment

This bill (HD 4212) creates legal protections for harm reduction programs aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving access to treatment. It defines "harm reduction programs" to include services like needle exchanges, overdose reversal, and referrals to treatment, and grants immunity from arrest, lawsuits, and property seizures for program operators, participants, and property owners when operating under department approval. The law also prohibits searches based on program use, requires annual department reports on program effectiveness, and exempts approved programs from certain registration requirements under Chapter 94C. It directly affects program operators, people accessing services, property owners, and government employees involved in approvals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to increase access to treatment for overdose deaths and mental health/substance use recovery, directly advancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1406: An Act authorizing the Executive office of Health and Human Services to establish a direct care worker medication administration program registry

This bill creates a registry for direct care workers who administer medication, requiring their employing agencies to report specific details to the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). Agencies must provide each worker’s name, ID, addresses, job title, certifications, and medication administration status, updating this information quarterly. EOHHS will maintain the registry, making only basic details (like name, ID, and training) publicly accessible while keeping sensitive information confidential unless requested by an agency or employee organization. The registry aims to improve oversight of medication administration, includes exemptions for victims of domestic violence or assault, and minimizes duplicate reporting for agencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates registry for medication-administering direct care workers to ensure safety and compliance, strengthening healthcare oversight and patient protection in medication administration.90% confidence

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1422: An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence

This bill requires health care employers (including hospitals, certain state facilities, and other licensed health care sites like teaching hospitals and non-acute care facilities) to create and maintain workplace violence prevention programs. Key mechanisms include annual risk assessments co-developed with employees, written violence prevention plans detailing hazard mitigation and reporting systems, mandatory employee training on reporting incidents, and designated crisis response teams for affected staff. Employers must submit incident reports every 180 days to the department and local district attorney, with data made publicly available statewide. Violations can result in fines up to $2,000 per offense, and employees cannot be penalized for reporting safety concerns.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates violence prevention programs for healthcare employers, directly protecting medical professionals (a key component of healthcare services) by requiring safety protocols and employee training.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates healthcare employers to implement violence prevention programs with employee involvement, training, and crisis teams, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for workers.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1557: An Act relative to vaccines and preventing future disease outbreaks

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1557) of Edward J. Kennedy and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to vaccines and preventing future disease outbreaks. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill focuses on vaccine access and outbreak prevention, strengthening public health infrastructure directly supporting healthcare services and disease prevention programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1495: An Act relative to healthcare worker and first responder safety

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1495) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to healthcare worker and first responder safety and HIV testing. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safety protections for healthcare workers and includes HIV testing under public health, directly strengthening healthcare infrastructure and worker safety within healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly mandates safety protections for healthcare workers and first responders, directly improving workplace safety standards under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1561: An Act creating an OBGYN loan repayment grant program

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1561) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation to create an OBGYN loan repayment grant program. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates OBGYN loan repayment grants to attract/retain specialists, directly improving access to women's health services under public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 20, 2026

S 253: An Act relative to modernizing licensure of dietitians and nutritionists

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 253) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation to modernize licensure of dietitians and nutritionists by creating a Dietetics and Nutrition board. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Dietetics/Nutrition board to modernize licensure, strengthening professional standards and patient safety in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2237: An Act regarding a minor's consent to substance use treatment

HD 4206 allows minors aged 12 or older to consent to hospital and medical care for substance use disorders without parental permission. A medical professional must first determine the minor has a substance use disorder. This consent cannot be canceled later because the minor is under 18. The bill directly affects minors with substance use disorders seeking treatment and healthcare providers offering such care. It changes existing law to remove parental consent requirements for this specific treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables minors to consent to substance use treatment, improving access to mental health/substance use services without parental barriers, directly supporting patient access in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 878: An Act relative to asset limits for MassHealth

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 878) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to asset limits for MassHealth. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill adjusts MassHealth asset limits, directly impacting healthcare eligibility and access, indicating support for expanded coverage.85% confidence

Track