Massachusetts Bills

This bill removes specific geographic descriptions from Massachusetts housing court jurisdiction rules. It deletes outdated language about which cities and counties fall under Boston, western, Worcester, northeastern, or southeastern court divisions. The bill does not change housing court procedures or who can file cases; it only revises the legal text describing court boundaries. The change is procedural and would take effect immediately upon passage, but the bill is still pending in committee.

This bill (HD 5711) adjusts the pension calculation for Shannon LaPorta, the surviving spouse of fallen Uxbridge police officer Stephen LaPorta. It directs the Worcester Regional Retirement System to calculate her annual pension based on Stephen’s rank as a sergeant at the time of his death, overriding standard pension rules. The bill specifically affects Shannon LaPorta and does not change general pension laws for other officers. It takes effect January 8, 2026.

This bill designates the roundabout at the intersection of Routes 146 and 16 in Uxbridge as the "Officer Stephen A. LaPorta Memorial Roundabout" to honor a local officer. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation would install a memorial stone and plaque there, coordinating with Uxbridge town and police officials on placement and design. It is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes, solely recognizing an individual through public space naming.

Senate, February 26, 2026 -- The committee on Health Care Financing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 251) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to health equity and community health workers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 292) of John C. Velis for legislation to create coverage and regulations for group therapeutic care; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 537) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation to strengthen the strategic preparedness stockpiles; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 538) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to emergency response and preparedness in the event of surges in pediatric or adult hospitalizations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 699) of Brendan P. Crighton and Erika Uyterhoeven for legislation relative to unilateral contract changes with health care providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 714) of Julian Cyr for legislation to strengthen the control of contagious and infectious diseases in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 738) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to provide for a medical exemption for manufacturer coupons; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 744) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to group insurance commission procurement; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 745) of Paul R. Feeney and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to limit out of pocket health expenses; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 746) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 755) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation related to health insurance benefits for municipal employees; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 772) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins, Michael J. Barrett and others for legislation to increases mandatory coverage for addiction care recovery; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 773) of John F. Keenan for legislation to expand access to mental health services for inpatient treatment; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 775) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 781) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to medication synchronization; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 782) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to increase health insurer reporting transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 800) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to pharmacists as healthcare providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 828) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to health purchasing cooperatives; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1120) of Adam Gomez and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1381) of Michael D. Brady for legislation to expand access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1382) of Michael D. Brady and Kenneth P. Sweezey for legislation to establish a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1394) of Julian Cyr for legislation to ensure efficient and effective implementation of behavioral health reform; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1397) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish five regional pilot programs to examine alternative models for transport of behavioral health patients; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1398) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to create intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1405) of John F. Keenan for legislation to repeal the sunset date for drug stewardship; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1406) of John F. Keenan and James K. Hawkins for legislation relative to the prescription monitor program; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1408) of Robyn K. Kennedy and Michael D. Brady for legislation to provide appropriate care for certain populations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1414) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, James B. Eldridge, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the Senate for legislation to increase access to Applied Behavior Analysis services by recognizing assistant level providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1419) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to protective custody; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1420) of Bruce E. Tarr and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1478) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to reduce the risks associated with allergic reactions by enhancing the availability of epi-pens; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1492) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to provide written materials on safe sleep practices at the time of infant’s discharge from the hospital; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1503) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Susannah M. Whipps, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the closing of hospital essential services; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1536) of Paul R. Feeney that provisions be made to address EMS and health care services shortfalls in southeastern Massachusetts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1572) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to acute hospital governance; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1580) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to ensure access to a resident representative in long-term care facilities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1608) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jason M. Lewis, Steven George Xiarhos and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to physician assistant interstate compact; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1610) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Michael D. Brady for legislation to assess healthcare access; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1632) of John C. Velis and Michael D. Brady for legislation to provide safeguards for home healthcare workers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1633) of John C. Velis, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., John F. Keenan, Jacob R. Oliveira and others for legislation to regulate staff at home health and hospice agencies; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1634) of John C. Velis for legislation to ensure access medical records by not allowing a separate fee to be charged for the transmission of data; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1711) of John F. Keenan for legislation to require all state and county correctional facilities to provide medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2732) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to prohibit denials of certain payments for health care service; Senate, January 5, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No; Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No; and Senate, January 8, 2025 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2972).

Senate, February 26, 2026 -- The committee on The Judiciary to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1138) of John F. Keenan, Jason M. Lewis, Brendan P. Crighton, Patrick M. O'Connor and others for legislation to clarify a right of a durable power of attorney, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2969).

S.2970 authorizes the transfer of two state-owned parcels in Brockton to specific entities for community development. It directs the commissioner to convey land to Catholic Charitable Bureau for affordable housing (for households at or below 80% area median income) and a community services center, with a 2030 deadline for completion. The bill also allows conveyance of another parcel to the city of Brockton for redevelopment, requiring the city to share net proceeds equally with the state (or at least 40% to the state). Both transfers occur for $1 consideration and include strict usage requirements, with land reverting to the state if purposes are not maintained.

This bill creates a public dashboard showing how residential energy bills are calculated, including detailed breakdowns of charges from gas and electric companies and explanations of each bill component. It requires energy companies to submit quarterly reports on rates, customer data, and clean energy program costs, and mandates the dashboard include analysis of benefits like reduced emissions, system reliability, and avoided energy costs. The bill also requires utilities to return 70% of certain clean energy payments directly to ratepayers through annual bill credits. These changes apply to Massachusetts residential electricity and gas customers and affect all energy companies operating in the state.

H 5148 requires Massachusetts' Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study the environmental and economic impacts of discharging wastewater from nuclear power plant spent fuel pools - including methods that speed up evaporation of radioactive materials like tritium. The study must assess effects on industries like fishing, tourism, and restaurants, monitor pollution levels, and recommend ways to reduce harm. The DEP must submit a report with findings and proposed standards to relevant legislative committees by December 2026. This bill directly affects nuclear power plant operations and state agencies, but does not ban discharges or create new regulations itself.

Order relative to authorizing the committee on Environment and Natural Resources to make an investigation and study of certain House documents relative to plastics, Boston Harbor islands and other related matters.

This bill amends Massachusetts' historical exoneration record for individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial times. It adds eight specific names - Margaret Jones, Alice Lake, Elizabeth Kendall, Anne Hibbens, Goody Glover, Hugh Parsons, Eunice Cole, and Elizabeth Morse - to the official list of exonerated people. The bill removes the specific year "1692" from the text and adds explanatory language acknowledging others who faced accusations without conviction. It does not create new legal rights or affect current laws; it solely updates historical records to correct past injustices. This is a symbolic, non-procedural correction of historical documentation.

Senate, February 26, 2026 -- The committee on Senate Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate Bill updating the unit pricing exemption threshold (Senate, No. 267),- reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2965).

Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 477) of Robyn K. Kennedy, Joanne M. Comerford and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establish the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2825).