Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 292: An Act relative to growing resources to optimize the utilization of group therapeutic care

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 292) of John C. Velis for legislation to create coverage and regulations for group therapeutic care. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates coverage and regulations for group therapeutic care, expanding access to mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 251: An Act relative to health equity and community health workers

By Ms. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 251) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to health equity and community health workers. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes health equity via community health workers, directly improving access to underserved populations and aligning with healthcare access indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 242: An Act to expand access to lactation care and services

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 242) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to expand access to lactation care and services. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands access to lactation care services, improving patient access to maternal health services within healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2025: 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 HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for physical therapists, improving patient access to care without additional licensing barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 953: An Act establishing a community health center nurse practitioner residency program

This bill establishes a 24-month nurse practitioner residency program at community health centers to recruit and retain new nurse practitioners. It requires centers (those receiving federal grants under 42 USC 254b) to offer supervised patient care under physicians or experienced nurses, and mandates participants to commit to at least 18 months of employment at the center. The state must fund the program with $2.5 million annually and seek federal Medicaid reimbursement for this training. The program does not affect existing nursing licensure requirements under Chapters 94C or 112.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds $2.5M annual NP residency program to train providers at community health centers, expanding workforce capacity and improving patient access through mandatory employment commitments and Medicaid reimbursement efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1490: An Act to protect life-saving electronic health records from reckless corporate greed and corruption

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 262) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to protect life-saving electronic health records from reckless corporate greed and corruption. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly protects life-saving electronic health records from corporate corruption, directly safeguarding patient data access and healthcare continuity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4344: An Act relative to insurance coverage for doula services

H 4344 requires all health insurance policies in Massachusetts (including employer plans and MassHealth) to cover doula services without cost-sharing like deductibles or copays. It mandates a minimum of 20 hours of prenatal/postpartum support per pregnancy, continuous labor support, and reimbursement at MassHealth rates, while prohibiting referrals and additional credentialing requirements. The bill directly affects insurers, policyholders, and doulas by standardizing coverage for non-medical support during pregnancy, birth, adoption, loss, and postpartum care. Key provisions include eliminating prior authorization for coverage and requiring policies to follow state-developed doula credentialing standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for doula services without cost-sharing, expanding access to non-medical prenatal/postpartum care95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates insurance coverage for doula services, standardizing reimbursement and removing cost barriers, directly supporting doulas' employment and income as workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 8, 2025

H 476: An Act relative to medical debt exclusion from creditor reports

By Representative Williams of Springfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 476) of Bud L. Williams and Carlos González relative to medical debt exclusion from creditor reports. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes medical debt from credit reports, protecting patients from credit damage due to healthcare costs, aligning with patient rights and access support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 246: An Act to reduce inequities in access to hearing aids

By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 246) of Adam Gomez, Michael J. Barrett and Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide increased access to hearing aids. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to increase access to hearing aids, a healthcare service, directly improving patient access to medical devices under health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 729: An Act requiring licensure for use of graduated electronic decelerators

This bill requires licensing for anyone using a "graduated electronic decelerator" (a device that applies electrical shocks to alter behavior in people with disabilities). It mandates that the state department create training and certification rules covering proper use, alternatives to shock therapy, safety measures, abuse signs, and reporting procedures. The law prohibits unlicensed use or misuse of the device, and requires facilities to ensure only licensed individuals administer it. Violations carry fines up to $500. The bill directly affects individuals with disabilities who might be subjected to this device, as well as care facilities and staff who could use it.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates licensing, safety protocols, and abuse prevention for a device used in behavioral healthcare, protecting vulnerable patients and strengthening patient safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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