Massachusetts Bills

This is a procedural bill (HD 5576) that requires the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to submit its fiscal year 2026 budget report detailing expected surpluses or deficiencies. It does not change any laws or directly affect residents; it is a routine administrative filing. The bill serves as a formal request for CPCS to provide its budget status to the legislature. This submission is part of standard fiscal oversight, not a policy change.

Report of the Department of Mental Health (pursuant to line item 5046-0000 of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its Fiscal Year 2025 report on the Distribution of Funds

This is not a legislative bill but a communication from the non-insurance members of the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board (ABLRAB). They submitted an alternative executive synopsis to state officials, arguing that Massachusetts auto body labor rates are "materially inadequate" based on 17 years of consistent findings (2008, 2022, 2025), with independent economic analysis confirming insurers hold excessive bargaining power, suppressing rates below market reality. The communication emphasizes that six of seven non-insurance board members recommended rate increases to address underpayment, repair quality risks, and workforce instability, while opposing insurance industry claims of a "healthy" market. It urges the Division of Insurance to act on these findings rather than further delay.

Senate, February 5, 2026 -- The committee on Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 359) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to promote a healthy culture and climate within schools; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 368) of Adam Gomez, Michael J. Barrett, Joanne M. Comerford, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the Senate for legislation to reduce exclusionary discipline for grooming and dress code violations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 376) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to promote the education success of court involved children; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 380) of Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish statewide targets for addressing persistent disparities in achievement and suspension and expulsion in public schools; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 387) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to safer schools, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2952).

H 4902 would increase the disability pension for Christopher Taylor, a retired Saugus police officer injured in 2020 while on duty, to match the salary he would have earned had he remained an active officer. The bill requires the Saugus retirement board to pay him this full amount (plus cover medical expenses related to his injury), allow him to earn half his pension without penalty, and provide survivor benefits to his spouse and children if he dies. It overrides standard pension rules to specifically address Taylor's case, including funding through the Saugus retirement board. This is a personal bill for one individual, not a general policy change.

HD 5612, the PRICE Act, prohibits businesses from charging different prices for goods or services based on consumers' online activity - including searches, browsing history, location data, or time spent viewing items. It directly affects consumers whose prices might otherwise change due to their digital footprint. The bill defines "online surveillance pricing" and explicitly excludes standard discounts (like for seniors or students), loyalty programs, and insurance/credit pricing. If passed, it would amend Chapter 93A to ban this specific pricing practice while allowing legitimate cost-based or widely disclosed discounts. The bill is currently referred to the House Rules committee.

This bill requires health insurance plans in Massachusetts to cover prescription medications for gender-affirming care services as defined in state law. It mandates coverage for up to a 12-month period for subsequent dispensings of the same medication, allowing full or partial dispensing within that timeframe. Coverage must be provided regardless of enrollment status when the prescription was first issued, but insurers are not required to cover more than one 12-month prescription per plan year. The bill directly affects insured individuals seeking ongoing gender-affirming medication treatment.

H 4649 establishes a special commission to study micro-transit services in Massachusetts. The commission will examine different operating models (including those run by regional transit authorities and other entities), assess funding needs and gaps, define micro-transit for state funding eligibility, and estimate annual state funding required to support these services. It will specifically focus on closing mobility gaps, improving connectivity, and addressing transportation inequities in underserved areas and populations. The commission, composed of transit officials, community representatives, and rural stakeholders, must submit a final report to state leaders within three months of the bill's effective date.

H 4969 authorizes the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to study six specific bills (H345, H350, H381, H430, H439, and H467) related to consumer protection and professional licensure. The committee must investigate these documents and submit recommendations, including draft legislation, to the General Court by December 31, 2026. This bill does not create new laws but sets a process for the committee to examine existing proposals and propose future actions. It directly affects the committee’s work and the legislative process, not the public or businesses.

Report of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (pursuant to Chapter 309 of the Acts of 2020) submitting its Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund FY25 annual report

This bill (H 5030) simplifies property title clarity by addressing minor technical errors in recorded deeds or property documents. It states that if a property deed or similar document has a technical flaw (like an incorrect signature format, missing seal, or minor error in how it was written) and no legal challenge is filed within 10 years of its recording, the document becomes fully valid as if the error never existed. This directly affects property owners and title holders who have documents with such minor defects, removing barriers to selling, refinancing, or transferring property. The rule applies to all documents recorded on or after January 1, 2027, but does not override existing court cases challenging titles.