Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 27, 2026

H 3762: An Act relative to The Ride service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

This bill (HD 2613) requires the MBTA's The Ride service to provide transportation to Boston for medical appointments for residents living within 25 miles of Boston. It directly affects low-income or medically-needing residents in that geographic area who rely on The Ride for healthcare access. The key provision mandates the MBTA to offer this service, with the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board responsible for reimbursing the MBTA's costs. The bill establishes a clear funding mechanism to ensure the service remains available without direct MBTA expense.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands MBTA 'The Ride' services for medical transportation, improving patient access to healthcare services within 25 miles of Boston.65% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 17, 2026

H 2551: An Act relative to public health volunteer responders

HD 2073 creates a state registry for volunteer health personnel (like nurses, EMTs, or public health workers) who can be activated during emergencies. The Department of Public Health will verify their licenses, require training, and establish a process to credential volunteers. During declared public health emergencies, state emergencies, or when local resources are exhausted, the commissioner can activate volunteers, granting them employee status for legal protections and benefits (like workers' compensation) under state law during their duty. This directly affects health volunteers who sign up for the registry and the state's emergency response capacity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes public health volunteer registry to enhance service delivery and program support, aligning with strengthening public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 2490: An Act establishing a physical therapy licensure compact

This bill establishes a physical therapy licensure compact, allowing physical therapists licensed in one member state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed physical therapists seeking to provide care across state lines and patients in states with participating licenses. Key mechanisms include mutual recognition of licenses, requiring therapists to hold an unencumbered home-state license, pass background checks, pay fees, and meet any remote state's jurisprudence requirements. The compact also mandates states to share disciplinary information and maintain data systems for oversight, while preserving each state's authority to regulate practice within its borders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes physical therapy licensure compact, enabling cross-state practice and improving patient access to physical therapy services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2223: An Act relative to benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

HD 2523 defines benzodiazepines (like alprazolam) and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (like zolpidem) for regulatory purposes. It requires pharmacists to include bolded cautionary statements about long-term use risks on medication labels and to distribute educational pamphlets covering misuse, addiction risks, storage, and treatment resources. The bill also mandates written patient consent before prescribing these drugs, limits refills to less than 10 days without a new prescription, and creates a commission to study safe discontinuation protocols. These changes directly affect patients prescribed these medications, pharmacists, and healthcare providers in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates benzodiazepines to improve mental health and substance use treatment protocols under Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 6, 2025

H 422: An Act relative to creating a voluntary licensure pathway for traditional Asian bodywork therapy practices

By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 422) of David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf for legislation to establish a board of registration of Asian bodywork therapy. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishing licensure for bodywork therapy creates regulatory standards for health services, aligning with healthcare regulation and consumer protection in the profession.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 17, 2025

S 2607: An Act establishing the hospital to home partnership program

Senate, September 18, 2025 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 495) of John C. Velis, Paul K. Frost, Susannah M. Whipps, Joanne M. Comerford and other members of the General Court for legislation to codify the Hospital to Home Partnership Program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2607).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes hospital-to-home partnership program improving patient transition care, enhancing access to post-hospital services and continuity of care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2230: An Act relative to overdose mapping

This bill requires emergency medical services, hospitals, law enforcement, and other first responders to record and submit the location of both fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses to the state department within 24 hours. The data will be compiled into a public online database by the Center for Health Information Analysis, showing overdose locations across Massachusetts without revealing personal details like names or addresses. All data collection must comply with federal privacy rules (HIPAA), and the database will be updated monthly with new reports. The law takes effect January 1, 2024, aiming to improve public health tracking of the opioid crisis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates public overdose database under Mental Health/Substance Use, enabling data-driven public health initiatives and resource allocation for healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

H 4200: An Act authorizing a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James J. O'Day for legislation to authorize a pilot program for the use of psychedelics in certain licensed treatment facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes psychedelic pilot for mental health/substance use treatment, expanding access to innovative care under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1383: An Act establishing peer-run respite centers throughout the Commonwealth

This bill establishes 14 peer-run respite centers across Massachusetts, requiring at least one per county. It mandates two specialized centers for LGBTQIA+ individuals (run by LGBTQIA+ staff with lived experience) and two for BIPOC communities (run by BIPOC staff with lived experience), all operating as non-clinical, short-term, community-based programs. Centers must provide voluntary, trauma-informed support focused on recovery and social connection, not clinical services, with staff trained in peer support. The state department must fund these centers to cover staffing, training, and operations while ensuring compensation rates support retention of qualified peer supporters. The bill directly affects individuals experiencing mental distress seeking crisis support and peer supporters with lived experience in behavioral health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes peer-run respite centers for mental health support, expanding access to crisis intervention services under mental health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 2552: An Act relative to student heart health

This bill requires Massachusetts public schools to include hands-only CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) training as a graduation requirement. It mandates that this training follow current national guidelines and include hands-on practice ("psychomotor skills") to develop practical abilities. Schools must provide this training through licensed teachers (who don’t need CPR certification) or certified instructors for courses leading to certification. Additionally, the state offers financial incentives via grants or subsidies to school districts - prioritizing high-need schools (e.g., those with 50%+ students eligible for free meals or Title I status) - to support equipment and staff training for this program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates public health educational guidelines for student heart disease symptoms, advancing preventive health awareness within healthcare policy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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