Healthcare (Public Health)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 4078: An Act relative to establishing protocols for the early detection and treatment of patients with sepsis

HD 2021 requires hospitals and licensed healthcare facilities to implement standardized protocols for detecting and treating sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock. It mandates facilities to adopt evidence-based screening tools, time-specific treatment goals, nurse-driven testing, and electronic health record integration for both adult and pediatric patients. Facilities must establish multi-disciplinary committees to monitor adherence to protocols, collect quality data, and provide annual staff training on sepsis care. The Department of Public Health must issue these guidelines by September 1, 2025, with full facility compliance required by that date, effective October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health protocols for sepsis detection/treatment, improving patient care access and outcomes under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 29, 2025

H 2476: An Act to finance the Betsy Lehman Center’s statewide provider health care safety education pilot program

This bill allocates $1.5 million from the Board of Registration in Medicine Trust Fund to fund the Betsy Lehman Center's health care safety initiatives. It directly supports Massachusetts healthcare providers by financing a pilot program for electronic health record safety monitoring and a statewide safety education program. The key mechanism is a specific transfer of funds to implement the Center's "roadmap to health care safety." The bill focuses on concrete funding for these two safety-focused programs without altering existing laws or regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds a healthcare safety education pilot program to improve provider training and patient safety under Public Health, directly advancing healthcare quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1335: An Act relative to a medical marijuana pilot program

HD 1335 establishes the "Crosby Project," a three-phase pilot program allowing Massachusetts veterans to use medical marijuana to treat conditions currently managed with opioids and combat opioid use disorder. The program directly affects veterans with qualifying medical conditions who are seeking alternatives to opioid-based medicine. Key mechanisms include Phase 1 research (reviewing medical studies, consulting veterans' groups, and evaluating other states' programs), Phase 2 launching a Boston-based veterans health center with staff and complementary services like acupuncture, and Phase 3 evaluating results to develop a statewide program. The Department of Public Health must submit a report detailing the program structure and findings by December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical marijuana pilot for veterans to treat opioid use disorder, expanding treatment access and alternatives to opioids, directly advancing healthcare options for a specific condition.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly provides veterans with medical marijuana as opioid alternative for healthcare, improving access to treatment for qualifying conditions through dedicated pilot program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 13, 2025

HD 4476: A communication from the Department of Public Health (see Section 2RRRR of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting the Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund Annual Report for fiscal year 2024.

This bill (HD 4476) is a procedural measure requiring the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to submit its annual report for the Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund covering fiscal year 2024. It does not create new policy but mandates the routine reporting of how the fund - used to purchase naloxone (an overdose reversal medication) for local communities - was administered. The bill directly affects the Department of Public Health, which must provide this report as required by law. The bill was placed on file on March 13, 2025, with no substantive changes to laws or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting on naloxone fund administration, ensuring transparency for a public health program that reverses opioid overdoses, directly supporting patient access to life-saving treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 29, 2025

H 170: An Act addressing public health risks related to cannabis products

By Representative Shand of Newburyport, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 170) of Dawne Shand for legislation to address public health risks related of certain cannabis products. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses public health risks from cannabis products, aligning with healthcare protection goals under public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Aug 10, 2026

S 1491: An Act relative to chaperones for medical exams

By Mr. Crighton, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1491) of Brendan P. Crighton, Rory McCarthy, , James B. Eldridge and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to chaperones for medical exams. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates chaperones for medical exams to protect patient privacy and rights during sensitive procedures, aligning with patient safety standards in healthcare delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 3, 2025

S 1519: An Act relative to medical records requests

By Mr. Durant, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1519) of Peter J. Durant and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to medical records requests. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables patient access to medical records, enhancing transparency and rights within healthcare system95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2505: An Act relative to end of life options

HD 2540 creates a legal process for terminally ill Massachusetts residents to request medication for a peaceful death. It requires patients to be mentally capable adults with a terminal diagnosis (expected death within 6 months), prove Massachusetts residency, and complete a 15-day waiting period after an initial oral request. The process involves two physicians confirming the diagnosis and mental capacity, plus two non-family witnesses verifying the patient’s voluntary participation. Patients with legal guardians are excluded, and the bill explicitly does not affect existing hospice or palliative care options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes physicians to prescribe medical aid in dying, expanding patient access to end-of-life healthcare options under public health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 2563: An Act establishing the dentist and dental hygienist compact

HD 1446 establishes the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, allowing licensed dentists and dental hygienists in participating states to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This "compact privilege" eliminates redundant licensing requirements, promotes workforce mobility (especially for military members and spouses), and creates a streamlined process for cross-state practice. The compact requires practitioners to follow each state's scope of practice rules and enables states to share disciplinary information and monitor licensure. It directly affects licensed dental professionals seeking to work across state lines and aims to improve public access to dental services in underserved areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishing a dental compact improves access to dental services, a healthcare component, by enabling professional mobility across states under public health framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 2480: An Act regarding registered nurse first assistants

HD 1626 requires health insurance policies, hospital service plans, and medical service agreements in Massachusetts to cover surgical first assistant services provided by registered nurses (RNs) licensed under Chapter 112, rather than other providers. This directly affects insurers, hospitals, and RNs by mandating that existing coverage for "surgical first assisting" must specifically include RNs. The bill amends Chapters 175, 176A, 176B, and 176G of the General Laws to clarify this interpretation. Additionally, it requires the Department of Public Health to report by September 2026 on RN first assistant services, including patient outcomes and satisfaction data from hospitals and insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands registered nurse scope of practice for surgical first assistant roles, improving access to surgical care teams and supporting healthcare delivery under Public Health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Public Health

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