Healthcare (People with Disabilities)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1488: An Act relative to more accessible 911 disability indicator forms

This bill requires Massachusetts to create a standardized, accessible disability indicator form for 911 callers. The form, written at a 5th-grade reading level and available in multiple languages where needed, lets people with disabilities (including mobility, vision, hearing, speech, or medical needs) notify emergency dispatchers about their specific requirements. It includes space to list details like service animals, equipment for life-sustaining needs, or communication preferences (e.g., TTY). The form must be available to all phone subscribers and updated annually by the department based on community input.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves emergency healthcare access for disabled individuals by standardizing 911 disability forms, enabling clear communication of medical needs to dispatchers.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities Public Safety

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1111: An Act relative to cueing and supervision in the PCA program

HD 1111 expands eligibility for Massachusetts' Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program to include individuals who require supervision and cueing (verbal or physical prompts) to perform two or more basic daily tasks, such as bathing or dressing. This change directly affects people with disabilities who need this level of support but were previously excluded under program standards. The bill requires the state division overseeing the PCA program to update its regulations to explicitly include these individuals as eligible participants. It amends Chapter 118E of the General Laws to ensure the program standards cover this specific need. The policy change is a concrete adjustment to program eligibility criteria, not a new benefit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands PCA program eligibility to include individuals needing supervision/cueing for daily tasks, improving access to healthcare support for disabled individuals.90% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2660: An Act regarding the use of aversive therapy

HD 2660 bans the use of painful procedures and the denial of basic human needs in facilities serving people with disabilities. The bill prohibits any Commonwealth-funded program, agency, or facility from administering procedures causing physical pain (like hitting, pinching, or electric shock) to change behavior, or denying reasonable access to sleep, food, shelter, or bathroom facilities. It directly affects all facilities receiving state funding that serve individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. The law mandates humane treatment by explicitly prohibiting practices that would be illegal if used on non-disabled individuals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans painful procedures and denies basic needs in disability facilities, protecting patient rights and safety in healthcare settings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 24, 2025

H 1358: An Act advancing health care research and decision-making centered on patients and people with disabilities

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1358) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to health care research and decision-making centered on patients and persons with disabilities. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly advances patient-centered health care research and decision-making, improving access and rights for patients/disabled individuals per title and summary.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 1351: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism

By Representative Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1351) of Christine P. Barber and others relative to ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures equal access to essential medical treatments for people with disabilities, directly improving patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2485: An Act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care

HD 2485 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in Massachusetts healthcare. It bans healthcare providers and entities from denying lifesaving treatment or prioritizing care based on assumptions about a person's quality of life or "worth" due to disability, or using metrics that value lives with disabilities less than others. The law specifically prohibits conditioning treatment on having a "Do Not Resuscitate" order or advance directive, while allowing consideration of short-term survival likelihood in crisis care. This applies to all public and private healthcare entities in Massachusetts, ensuring equal access to treatment regardless of disability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits disability-based discrimination in healthcare access, bans denial of lifesaving treatment, and protects patient rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1026: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism

This bill (HD 1026) requires the Division to cover medically necessary habilitative and rehabilitative treatments for adults aged 21+ who have developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism spectrum disorder and are covered under Chapter 118E. It mandates coverage for treatments like applied behavior analysis (provided by licensed professionals) and both dedicated and non-dedicated communication devices (including tablets), as determined medically necessary by a licensed physician or psychologist. The policy directly affects eligible adults with these diagnoses, ensuring state-funded access to specific therapies and assistive devices previously not guaranteed under the existing coverage. It does not change eligibility criteria but expands required coverage for defined treatments and devices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for medically necessary treatments (like ABA) and communication devices for disability-related healthcare, expanding insurance access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 871: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 871) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to require MassHealth to cover medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates MassHealth coverage for essential treatments for developmental/disability conditions, expanding insurance coverage and improving access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Tags People with Disabilities

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