Healthcare

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1407: Resolve to ensure delivery of mental health services to adults with acute mental illness

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1407) of Edward J. Kennedy that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to ensure delivery of mental health services to adults with acute mental illness. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to ensure delivery of mental health services for adults with acute illness through a commission study, directly supporting mental health services as per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 1410: An Act helping overdosing persons in emergencies

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1410) of Joan B. Lovely relative to the requirements and procedures necessary for first responders to provide urgent help to persons at risk of serious and deadly harm from opioids and opioid overdose. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes emergency response protocols for opioid overdoses, directly enhancing urgent care access for substance use disorders under mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 1416: An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment

This bill requires public schools to update their substance use prevention policies to include specific education about opioid dangers and legal protections for reporting overdoses. Schools must teach students about addictive substances' risks, particularly opioids, and explain immunities under state law that encourage overdose reporting. It also mandates schools to assess their programs, share effective strategies with other districts, and collaborate with health departments to improve prevention efforts. The policy directly affects all public schools and their students in Massachusetts, aiming to strengthen education and reporting around substance use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases substance use prevention and awareness, directly supporting mental health services and public health initiatives to reduce overdoses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 492: An Act protecting the rights of older adults and people with disabilities

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 492) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to protect the rights of older adults and people with disabilities in nursing homes. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects rights of nursing home residents (healthcare setting), directly advancing patient rights and care standards in healthcare facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 19, 2026

H 1913: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

HD 873 changes how courts handle probation for individuals with substance use disorders. It requires courts to assess whether someone on probation needs treatment instead of solely mandating drug testing. If treatment is ordered, courts must use licensed providers or evidence-based programs and cannot impose extra testing beyond the treatment plan. Crucially, a positive test or relapse during treatment is not considered a probation violation, shifting focus from punishment to supporting recovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill redirects court focus from incarceration to treatment for substance use disorders, promoting rehabilitation over punishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects court focus from incarceration to treatment for substance use disorders, advancing healthcare access for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3866: An Act relative to waiving education requirements for skilled veterans to be LPNs

This bill creates a waiver program allowing military veterans who completed medical training in the service to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) exam without graduating from a formal nursing program. It directly affects veterans with relevant military medical experience seeking LPN licensure in Massachusetts. The nursing board must establish this waiver program, and the Department of Public Health must create implementing regulations by January 1, 2026. The key change removes a standard education requirement for qualified veterans, streamlining their path to LPN certification.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill waives education requirements for veterans to become LPNs, expanding healthcare workforce access and supporting nursing services by facilitating entry into healthcare roles.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill waives education requirements for veterans to become LPNs, directly supporting veteran employment in healthcare through streamlined licensure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2235: An Act ensuring safe disposal of hypodermic needles and lancets in the Commonwealth

This bill requires pharmacies, health clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes to participate in sharps disposal programs for hypodermic needles and lancets. It expands the existing program by mandating that all facilities selling or distributing these items must be included, replacing previous language about "medical facilities, pharmacies, and municipal facilities" with "participating facilities." The bill removes outdated references to establishing sharps collection centers, streamlining the program's requirements. This directly affects healthcare providers and pharmacies that handle these medical waste items.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safe disposal of medical waste to prevent public health risks, directly supporting mental health and substance use recovery programs through safer community practices.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 28, 2025

H 780: An Act establishing the hospital to home partnership program

By Representative Lipper-Garabedian of Melrose, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 780) of Kate Lipper-Garabedian and others that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services be authorized to establish a hospital to home partnership program. Elder Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes hospital-to-home partnership program under Health & Human Services, improving post-hospital care access for elderly, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 709: An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 709) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to supportive care for serious mental illness. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly establishes supportive care for serious mental illness, advancing mental health services within healthcare policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 1427: An Act prohibiting municipal bans of face coverings for protective or medical use

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1427) of William N. Brownsberger, Joanne M. Comerford, Colleen M. Garry and Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to prohibit municipal bans of face coverings for protective or medical use. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits municipal bans on face coverings for medical use, protecting patient access to necessary medical aids and aligning with patient rights indicators.85% confidence

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