Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1420: An Act relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents

SD 1388 requires nursing homes to report quarterly on the use of psychotropic medications (like antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety drugs) to federal agencies. Nursing homes must publicly post these reports online and document in each resident's care plan the prescriber's details, evaluation date, medical justification, and proof of informed consent. Failure to submit reports can result in fines, and repeated failures may lead to suspending new admissions. The bill directly affects nursing homes, residents receiving these medications, and prescribers by increasing transparency and accountability. It focuses on administrative reporting and documentation requirements without changing medication protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates psychotropic drug administration in nursing homes to protect resident safety, advancing mental health care standards and patient rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Dec 18, 2025

H 3313: An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

This bill transfers operation of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Massachusetts Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. It assigns the Mental Health Commissioner full responsibility for running the facility, providing all medical and mental health treatment for male patients there, and managing forensic services like court-ordered evaluations. The bill removes all references to Corrections oversight in hospital rules and creates a new division within Mental Health to handle forensic services. It also requires a study by 2026 on building a new facility to replace Bridgewater.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring a correctional hospital to mental health department aligns with reform by prioritizing specialized care over incarceration for mental health needs, reducing recidivism through proper treatment.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital to Department of Mental Health directly strengthens mental health services, a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 1627: An Act establishing a commission on quality patient outcomes and nurse staffing

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1627) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to establish a commission on quality patient outcomes and nurse staffing. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes commission to improve patient outcomes and nurse staffing, directly advancing healthcare quality standards under Public Health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2228: An Act providing appropriate care for certain populations

This bill creates standardized "forensic units" within certain facilities to provide specialized care for specific patient populations. It defines these units as physically separate areas with incarceration-like restrictions, specialized staff training, and appropriate environments. The law mandates that individuals admitted under certain legal or medical conditions (specified in existing sections of the law) must initially be placed in these forensic units upon facility admission. The bill directly affects patients meeting those admission criteria and the facilities responsible for their care. These changes aim to establish consistent care protocols for vulnerable populations within the state's healthcare system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates forensic units in hospitals for mental health/substance use care, diverting individuals from criminal justice system and supporting rehabilitation, aligning with reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates forensic units for mental health/substance use recovery, directly advancing specialized care services in healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2468: An Act for healthy kids, healthy futures

HD 3609 bans advertising of non-compliant beverages (drinks not meeting USDA nutrition standards under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act) at all school properties, including buildings, fields, vending machines, and uniforms, and prohibits school-based incentives tied to purchasing such drinks. It also requires chain restaurants (20+ locations) to display clear warnings on menus for items exceeding daily added sugar limits, using a specific icon and text explanation. The bill mandates media literacy education in schools (grades 3-12) to help students analyze advertising for food, beverages, and other products. These provisions directly affect school districts, students, and chain restaurants operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates media literacy curriculum in schools, directly enhancing educational content and critical thinking skills per its summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates sugary drinks in schools and mandates nutritional info, directly promoting public health through preventive measures95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1515: An Act relative to enhancing statewide hospital capacity coordination

By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1515) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to enhancing statewide hospital capacity coordination. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly enhances hospital capacity coordination under Public Health, improving healthcare system infrastructure and access without restrictions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1816: An Act relative to health care proxy storage and activation

This bill (HD 1930) changes how health care proxies - documents naming someone to make medical decisions - are handled in Massachusetts. It requires hospitals and clinics to store these proxies electronically in secure digital formats (replacing physical copies) and to integrate them into a patient's electronic medical record, similar to "do not resuscitate" orders. The bill also mandates that facilities notify the designated health care agent (via phone/email) when their authority begins and ensure the agent can participate in medical discussions. It directly affects patients who have appointed a health care agent, hospitals, clinics, and attending physicians.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures proper storage/activation of healthcare proxies, protecting patient decision-making rights under proxy laws, aligning with patient rights protection indicators.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 1290: An Act relative to dental insurance coverage of periodontal treatments

HD 799 requires all dental insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover two specific periodontal treatments: oral cancer screenings (dental exams for mouth cancer signs) and laser bacterial reduction therapy (a procedure using lasers to reduce harmful mouth bacteria). This applies to dental plans offered to Commonwealth employees (active or retired) under the Group Insurance Commission, as well as to all dental benefit plans provided by insurers licensed in Massachusetts. The bill mandates this coverage by amending key sections of the General Laws related to dental insurance regulations. It directly affects all dental insurers and plan administrators operating in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates dental insurance coverage for periodontal treatments, expanding patient access to essential oral healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 111: An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 111) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to ensure access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures access to behavioral health services for children, directly advancing mental health care access within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 16, 2025

H 2400: An Act measuring the impact of Long COVID in the Commonwealth

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to establish a standardized definition for Long COVID (PASC) aligned with national guidelines. It mandates the department to develop a case report form collecting specific patient data - including gender, race, symptoms, infection dates, and diagnosis details - and begin active monitoring of Long COVID cases six months after the law takes effect. The department must publish annual public reports on surveillance findings and submit a detailed progress report to state legislators within one year. This directly affects the state health department's operations and all Massachusetts residents diagnosed with Long COVID through the data collection process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill measures Long COVID impact under Public Health, advancing data collection for healthcare policy decisions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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