Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5229: An Act modernizing the six fundamental rights

This bill modernizes the six fundamental rights for individuals in mental health and substance use treatment facilities by updating state law to expand access to communication, visitors, and personal living spaces. It ensures people can make confidential phone calls, send and receive mail without censorship, receive visitors daily, and have private access to personal care items that respect their gender identity. The legislation also clarifies when rights can be temporarily suspended, requires facilities to establish clear rules for suspensions, and creates a new enforcement system with fines and a dedicated fund to support affected individuals. Additionally, it expands the list of professionals who can visit patients and strengthens accountability by mandating penalties for facilities that violate these rights.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient rights in mental health facilities, improving access to communication, visitors, and personal care, directly supporting mental health services and patient protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 5230: An Act relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care

This bill establishes minimum payment rates for psychiatric collaborative care services across multiple types of health insurance and programs in Massachusetts, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and health maintenance organizations. It requires these payers to reimburse providers for specific psychiatric collaborative care billing codes at rates equal to or higher than the current Medicare fee schedule, with provisions for annual adjustments. The law applies to all contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2027, and includes a list of specific billing codes that must be covered while allowing insurance regulators to add additional codes through future regulations. The bill aims to standardize reimbursement practices for mental health care services delivered through collaborative models across different insurance systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes minimum payment rates for psychiatric collaborative care across multiple insurance programs, expanding access and funding for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 5275: An Act reducing emergency department boarding

This bill amends existing mental health laws to protect individuals held in emergency departments who are being restrained while awaiting psychiatric evaluations. It requires facilities not authorized to perform evaluations to inform patients and their guardians about their right to voluntary admission and limits restraint to a maximum of 72 hours. If a person is held longer than 48 hours at such a facility, they must be told they can request a lawyer, and the state will appoint one if needed. The bill also allows individuals to request an emergency court hearing within one business day if they believe the restraint was improper. These changes directly affect patients, their families, and mental health facilities across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights of individuals in mental health crisis by limiting restraint duration and ensuring legal representation, aligning with criminal justice reform and rights protection.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights in mental health settings, limits restraint duration, and ensures legal representation, directly supporting healthcare access and patient safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 2974: An Act to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care

The committee on Health Care Financing to whom was referred the Senate Bill to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care (Senate, No. 1401), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2974).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill aims to improve timely treatment for inpatient mental health care, directly supporting mental health services and patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SD 3650: An Act for long-term coverage of gender affirming care medications

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Julian Cyr for legislation for long-term coverage of gender affirming care medications. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates long-term insurance coverage for gender-affirming medications, expanding healthcare access and funding for a specific treatment.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 3, 2026

H 5050: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for responding to recent federal actions

H 5050 is primarily an appropriations bill that allocates additional funding for state government operations in fiscal year 2026, including $300 million for group insurance premiums and $31 million for correctional facility operations. Its most significant policy change (Section 5) creates new restrictions on civil immigration enforcement at child care facilities: it prohibits law enforcement from entering licensed child care centers, family child care homes, or school-aged programs without a judicial warrant and prior approval from the facility director. The bill also requires these facilities to establish policies for handling immigration enforcement interactions, including verifying warrants and designating staff to manage such encounters. These provisions directly affect child care providers and law enforcement agencies operating near early childhood facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds correctional facilities ($31M), directly supporting criminal justice operations per appropriations allocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $300M for group insurance premiums, directly funding health coverage under state operations per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 9, 2025

SD 3278: Order considering Senate Bill, No. 1483 during the Senate Session of October 16, 2025

SD 3278 is a procedural order that advances Senate Bill 1483 (which would require manufacturers to disclose ingredients in menstrual products) to a second reading on October 16, 2025, by overriding standard Senate scheduling rules. This order, adopted on October 9, 2025, ensures immediate consideration of the bill and its committee-drafted update (Senate Bill 2641) without following typical procedural delays. It directly affects the legislative process for menstrual product transparency legislation but does not change the bill's substance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdvances bill requiring menstrual product ingredient disclosure, a public health measure to inform consumers about health risks related to product safety.85% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 5091: An Act relative to health care quality for children and youth

H 5091 requires the state bureau providing medical services to children and youth in the care of the Department of Children and Families to follow MassHealth and Department of Public Health pediatric care standards. This includes ensuring access to mental health, physical health, preventative care, and health promotion services. The bill also mandates the bureau to monitor medical contracts to improve both access to care and the quality of services for these children. It directly affects children in state custody by establishing concrete health care standards and oversight mechanisms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pediatric care standards compliance, mandates access to mental/physical health services, and monitors contracts to improve care quality for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 12, 2026

H 5089: An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children's vision

This bill creates a Children's Vision and Eye Health Advisory Council within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to advise on vision programs and recommend improvements. It also establishes a statewide confidential registry where healthcare providers must report children's vision screening results and follow-up care, with strict privacy protections limiting data sharing to authorized healthcare providers, school nurses, and specific state agencies. The registry will track screening data to address vision disparities affecting students, particularly in underserved communities, and allow parents to correct errors or view access records. The law amends school health screening requirements to include this registry system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes vision programs and registry to address student health disparities affecting learning, directly advancing K-12 educational outcomes by closing achievement gaps through health intervention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a registry and council to improve children's vision screening follow-up, enhancing health services for children's vision care.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a confidential registry with strict privacy protections for health data, directly advancing data privacy (a technology topic) through mandated safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 5021: An Act to expand the doula workforce

H 5021 creates the Maternal Health Justice Fund to expand the doula workforce in Massachusetts. The fund, managed by the Department of Public Health, will provide scholarships for doula certification (prioritizing historically marginalized groups, low-income individuals, and underserved areas), support community doula programs, and fund workforce development. It requires certification programs to teach clinical knowledge (like anatomy and labor support), health equity, anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and cultural competence. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals, birth parents, and doulas by increasing access to non-medical support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds doula certification and programs to expand maternal health services, targeting underserved communities, directly advancing healthcare access and equity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds doula certification scholarships, workforce development, and prioritizes marginalized groups in employment, directly advancing labor/employment opportunities in maternal healthcare sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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