Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 3056: An Act relative to medication administration in rest homes

By Mr. Moore, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3056) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore, Patricia D. Jehlen, Robyn K. Kennedy, John J. Marsi and others for legislation relative to medication administration in rest homes. Aging and Independence.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates medication administration in rest homes to improve patient safety and protect resident rights, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 23, 2026

H 5283: An Act relative to providing health education in schools

This bill amends Massachusetts education laws to formally include health education as part of the required curriculum in public schools. It mandates that health education standards be age-appropriate and medically accurate, covering topics such as physical development, nutrition, mental health, substance use prevention, and community health. The legislation also requires school districts to notify parents when implementing sexual education curricula and allows parents to request exemptions for their children without penalty. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the state's health curriculum framework serves as a guide for local districts and explicitly states that health education will not be tested on the MCAS exam.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands required curriculum by mandating health education standards, enhancing student programs and educational access in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates health education in schools covering mental health, nutrition, and substance use prevention, strengthening public health awareness and education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health Mental Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 5, 2026

HD 5706: A communication from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (see Section 30 of Chapter 285 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its “Report on the Plan to End Operations at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center”

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services to develop and submit a plan by December 31, 2026, to end operations at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (MASAC) as a secure facility for involuntary treatment of substance use disorders. The plan must identify and approve alternative facilities with sufficient capacity to handle individuals currently committed under state law, while ensuring geographic distribution across the state. The department must provide quarterly reports to the legislature detailing patient census numbers, transfer statistics, new facility capacities, and financial impacts of the transition.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill mandates closing a substance abuse treatment facility and requires alternatives, potentially limiting access to specialized care and reducing public health infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 2973: An Act to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness

The committee on Health Care Financing to whom was referred the Senate Bill to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness (Senate, No. 1115), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2973).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides continuum of care for severe mental illness, directly supporting mental health services and patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 1, 2026

H 5192: An Act authorizing the division of capital asset management and maintenance to take by eminent domain certain land in the town of Norwood

This bill authorizes the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to use eminent domain to acquire specific land parcels in Norwood owned by MPT of Norwood-Steward, LLC. The acquired land includes Norwood Hospital and any adjacent properties needed to support the project. After acquisition, the Division will transfer control of the land to the Department of Public Health, which will then assign it to a qualified nonprofit hospital operator. The stated goal is to ensure public access to healthcare, and the bill applies specifically to the town of Norwood and the named property owner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables acquisition of Norwood Hospital land to ensure public access and transfer to nonprofit operator, directly supporting healthcare infrastructure and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5274: An Act relative to establishing protections for and ensuring access to harm reduction programming and services in the commonwealth

This bill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs and services throughout the commonwealth, primarily affecting health organizations, service providers, and individuals involved in substance use support. It creates a new legal definition for harm reduction programs, which can include needle exchanges, distribution of opioid antagonists, drug testing services, and referrals to treatment, and requires these programs to be approved by the state department and local health boards. The legislation grants immunity from criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional disciplinary action to program operators and participants acting in good faith, while excluding cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting on program activities and data collection to track outcomes, and clarifies that entering or using a harm reduction program cannot be used as grounds for law enforcement searches or seizures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes harm reduction programs which reduce criminalization of substance use, improve public health outcomes, and support rehabilitation rather than punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs, expanding healthcare services and protecting patient rights in substance use treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

HD 5749: An Act to prevent inappropriate denials by insurers for medically necessary services

By Representative Gómez of Easthampton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Homar Gómez for legislation to prevent certain denials by insurers for medically necessary services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to prevent inappropriate denials of medically necessary services by insurers, protecting patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 2992: An Act establishing medical civil rights

Senate, March 23, 2026 -- The committee on The Judiciary to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1230) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish medical civil rights, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2992).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical civil rights, which protects patient rights and strengthens healthcare access and protections for medical professionals.75% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 5977: An Act authorizing the grant of easements in or takings of certain parcels of land to the city of Boston

This bill authorizes the City of Boston to grant a highway easement over approximately 3,654 square feet of Joslin Park to facilitate construction of a new cancer hospital and related roadway improvements. In exchange, the city will abandon its easement rights over several portions of public streets totaling about 5,000 square feet and receive those same areas from the property owner as land for public park use. The transferred land will be managed by the Parks and Recreation Commission for public recreational purposes, while the property owner retains subsurface utility rights. The bill ensures that the total land area given to the park department is at least equal to the park land being used for the hospital project, maintaining compliance with state constitutional requirements for public land preservation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes land use for new cancer hospital construction, directly expanding healthcare infrastructure and patient access to cancer treatment services.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill facilitates highway easement and roadway improvements for new hospital construction, directly advancing transportation infrastructure development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Roads & Highways

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5207: dental and other healthcare matters

This bill directs the Massachusetts House Committee on Financial Services to investigate and study eight related bills concerning dental insurance, ambulance payments, direct dental care agreements, universal dental care access, pregnancy enrollment in health plans, periodontal treatments, patient discharges, and for-profit healthcare regulations. The committee is authorized to conduct this review during a legislative recess and must submit its findings and any proposed legislation by December 31, 2026. This procedural measure does not enact new healthcare policies itself but instead initiates a formal review process to gather information and recommendations on these specific healthcare topics.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs investigation into dental insurance, universal dental care access, and healthcare regulations, indicating intent to improve and strengthen healthcare services.75% confidence

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