Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1602: An Act improving pediatric cancer research

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1602) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to improve pediatric cancer research. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve pediatric cancer research under Public Health, directly advancing healthcare through research funding and public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 2579: An Act Toxic-Free Medical Devices Act of 2025

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2579) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Joan B. Lovely and James J. O'Day for legislation to ban the use of DEHP, a plasticizer found in IV bags and tubing, due to concerns about its potential health risks. Public Health.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans DEHP (a known environmental pollutant) in medical devices, reducing chemical contamination and aligning with pollution control efforts despite primary health focus.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill bans DEHP in medical devices (IV bags/tubing) due to health risks, directly protecting patients and advancing public health safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 1093: An Act relative to health care proxy reform

SD 965 updates Massachusetts law to clarify who can make health care decisions for an adult who hasn't appointed a health care agent and lacks decision-making capacity. It establishes a priority order: spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings, or a close relative who has shown consistent care and familiarity with the person's health. Health care agents under this rule must base decisions on what the patient would have chosen, or their best interests if the patient's wishes are unknown. The bill also prohibits individuals under criminal investigation for abuse or neglect, or convicted of certain offenses against incapacitated people, from serving as agents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReforms healthcare proxy laws to strengthen patient decision-making rights, aligning with patient protection in healthcare policy.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 16, 2025

H 2530: An Act protecting children from harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements

This bill prohibits the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and muscle-building supplements to anyone under 18 years old. It requires retail stores to keep these products locked away (behind counters or in locked cases) and check identification for customers who appear under 18. For online sellers, it mandates age verification using government databases, requires an adult signature for delivery, and prohibits shipping to minors. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $1,000.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill regulates harmful supplements to protect children's health under public health initiative, aligning with healthcare protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 15, 2026

H 2442: An Act protecting patients and healthcare workers from exposure to surgical smoke

This bill requires Massachusetts hospitals and outpatient surgical centers to use smoke evacuation systems during procedures generating surgical smoke (such as those using lasers or electrosurgery) to protect patients and healthcare workers from inhaling harmful particles. Facilities must adopt policies ensuring smoke evacuation by January 1, 2026, and report these policies to the Department of Public Health by April 1, 2026. Non-compliance will result in fines of at least $500 per violation. The law directly affects all licensed hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly mandates protection from surgical smoke exposure, directly safeguarding patients and healthcare workers in medical settings per Public Health focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 20, 2025

H 2060: An Act relative to assault and battery against healthcare personnel, school officials, and first responders

This bill (HD 753) increases penalties for assault and battery against specific protected groups while they are performing their duties. It directly affects healthcare personnel (like nurses), school staff (teachers, librarians, counselors, nurses, psychologists), school event officials (referees), and police dogs. The law adds new provisions to criminal penalties, making it a felony to assault these individuals during work hours, with punishments including up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. The bill targets violence against essential workers in healthcare and education settings, aiming to strengthen legal protections for them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaults against protected groups (healthcare, school, first responders), strengthening criminal justice protections by enhancing legal safeguards for vulnerable professionals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare personnel from assault, enhancing safety and support for healthcare services by addressing violence against providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 706: An Act streamlining the prior authorization process

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 706) of John J. Cronin for legislation to streamline the prior authorization process for covered health care services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines prior authorization process, reducing delays in patient access to covered healthcare services95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 1375: An Act prohibiting surprise outside billing

HD 2242 creates a commission to study and recommend solutions for "surprise outside billing" in healthcare. The commission, made up of legislative leaders, health officials, and health policy experts, will examine policies requiring hospitals to offer bundled service packages (including fees for specialists like anesthesiologists) to prevent unexpected charges. It will also review similar laws from other states and develop recommendations, such as prohibiting surprise billing or requiring insurers to cover patients' costs. The commission must submit its final report and proposed legislation to relevant committees within 12 months of the bill's passage. This bill does not directly prohibit surprise billing but sets up a process to develop future policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits surprise billing, protecting patients from unexpected costs and aligning with patient rights in healthcare policy.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Dec 4, 2025

H 4613: An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care

This bill requires licensed healthcare facilities in Massachusetts to collect and submit annual demographic data on their physicians (including race, ethnicity, gender identity, language skills, specialty, and employment details) to state agencies. The data will be aggregated and made publicly available on the Board of Registration in Medicine website within 60 days of each year's end. State agencies must also report on this data to legislative committees and the Department of Public Health by February 28th annually. The goal is to assess how physician workforce diversity impacts health outcomes across the Commonwealth.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates demographic data collection to improve cultural competence in healthcare, enhancing patient access and provider diversity85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4619: An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing

H 4619 prohibits healthcare providers from charging facility fees (separate charges for hospital infrastructure) except for services on a hospital campus, at a hospital emergency department, or for emergency care at satellite facilities. It requires providers to give patients clear written notice about facility fees before or during care, display hospital ownership signage, and disclose if a location changes to charge such fees. The bill directly affects patients receiving care at healthcare facilities and healthcare providers who charge facility fees, aiming to prevent unexpected billing. The Department of Public Health will create rules to enforce these requirements and impose fines for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits surprise facility fees and mandates transparency, directly protecting patients from unexpected costs - aligns with patient rights and access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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