2025-2026 House Public Health Bills

HB1 (HD1) - An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2026

Sponsor:

Governor Maura Healey (D)

Summary:

Submits the Governor’s fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations — appropriates roughly $62 billion, including roughly $7.32 billion for Chapter 70 aid to school districts, $1.34 billion in unrestricted local aid, $1.66 billion for the University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges, $2.25 billion for the Commonwealth's debt service, $2.4 billion for the Commonwealth's share of group insurance, $617.6 million for MassDOT, and $687 million for the MBTA. This proposal also accounts for a total of $1.95 billion in spending financed by expected “fair share” revenue, including a $765 million transfer to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund, $275 million for grants to childcare providers, $225 million for Student Opportunity Act expansion, $170 million for universal free school meals, $94 million for a free community college program, and several other items. The outside sections would authorize automated traffic enforcement through the use of speed cameras; impose penalties on drug manufacturers for excessive price increases; provide for broker's fees to be paid by the party that originally engaged the broker for residential rental transactions; impose an assessment on pharmacies operating in Massachusetts; facilitate the closure of the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children; and make a variety of tax changes, including the elimination of a sales tax exemption for candy.

HB15 (HD15) - An Act relative to retail electricity suppliers

Sponsor:

Office of the Inspector General

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HB36 (HD36) - An Act modernizing the Massachusetts alcohol laws

Sponsor:

Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg (D)

Summary:

Makes several technical changes to the provisions of GL c.138 relative to licenses authorizing sale of beverages to be drunk on premises, including: Amending references to premises that are operated as “appurtenant and contiguous to and in conjunction with each other” to strike out the reference to contiguous; Eliminates the provision that no license may be issued to any applicant who has been convicted of a violation of a federal or state narcotic drugs law, or of a felony in general; Establishes that no applicant shall be issued a license unless their character is satisfactory to the licensing authorities; and Expands the time to appeal a licensing authority decision from 5 to 10 days.

HB37 (HD37) - An Act authorizing charity alcohol auctions

Sponsor:

Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 12D to GL Chapter 138 allowing local licensing authorities of cities and towns to grant temporary licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises to non-profit charitable corporations; limits such licenses to a maximum of 10 days; limits issuance of such licenses to a particular non-profit to no more than 2 times a year; requires any alcoholic beverages sold under such license to be donated to the non-profit; repeals existing language allowing non-profits to accept donations of alcoholic beverages under a special license; further authorizes and regulates the issuance of temporary licenses to non-profits for the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises at auction; repeals language expiring the right of cities and towns to issue temporary licenses to non-profits for the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises.

HD57 - An Act expanding the definition of beverage

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 94:321, expanding the definition of beverage in the “Bottle Bill” to include water and all alcoholic beverages, which would place a $0.05 deposit on said beverages when sold in glass, metal or plastic containers.

HD75 - An Act relative to American Sign Language training

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Amends various provisions of General Law to require that both fire service personnel and EMTs have training and on-going education courses that allow for basic understanding of American Sign Language.

HD80 - An Act to create an open-container law for marijuana

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 24L½ to GL Chapter 90 to create a fine of between $100 and $500 for having an open container of marijuana or edibles in the passenger area of a motor vehicle; eliminates the same fine in GL Chapter 94G, which does not have a minimum amount.

HD83 - An Act relative to requiring trauma kits in public buildings

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Adds new Section 237 to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to require all public buildings as well as any buildings required by statute to house an AED to have clearly visible, centrally located and easily accessible trauma kits ready for use at all times by an appropriately qualified trauma kit designee; provides that the number of trauma kits required per building shall be determined by a formula to be promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; immunizes a person who, in good faith, attempts to render emergency aid without compensation; amends GL 69:8A to require schools to include the availability and location of trauma kits and those personnel designated as trauma kit designees in their medical emergency response plans; authorizes expenditures from municipal Community Preservation Funds for the procurement of trauma kits and trauma kit designees in a town or city owned building or a public school facility; defines trauma kit, trauma kit designee and public building.

HD124 - An Act relative to the availability of personal floatation devices at certain municipal and recreational programs and camps

Sponsor:

Rep. Bud Williams (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:127A½ (Requirement of Personal Flotation Devices for Municipal and Recreational Programs and Camps for Minor Children) to extend said requirement to swimming pools, wading pools and other artificial bodies of water at such camps and programs.

HD138 - An Act to advance health equity

Sponsor:

Rep. Bud Williams (D)

Summary:

Establishes a new Chapter 6F in the General Laws, Executive Office of Equity. “Equity” is defined for these purposes as the “consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities” and “Health equity” is defined as the “fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.” The new Equity Office is, among other things, tasked to develop multi-year strategic plans to advance equity within each executive office of the Commonwealth; develop standards for the collection, analysis, and public reporting of disaggregated data by race, ethnicity, language, and other socio-demographic factors; and create and publish data dashboards stratified and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, language, and other socio-demographic factors. The new Chapter also establishes an Advisory Board, and issue an annual report. Finally, the bill makes a number of technical changes that make reference to the Equity Office in other parts of the General Laws, and requires the Center for Health Information and Analysis to gather and publish certain health equity information.

HD139 - An Act to improve sickle cell care

Sponsor:

Rep. Bud Williams (D)

Summary:

Makes a number of amendments and additions to existing law to enhance detection of and treatment of sickle cell disease (an inherited blood disorder marked by defective hemoglobin, often found in minority populations). In particular: Defines terms like “iatrogenic infertility” (which is medically induced infertility, when a person becomes infertile due to a medical procedure done to treat another problem, most often chemotherapy or radiation for cancer) and outlines coverage criteria based on evidence-based standards of care. Directs the Division of Medical Assistance to apply for a Medicaid waiver to implement coverage for fertility preservation services before January 1, 2024, subject to approval; Mandates that health insurance policies subject to specific chapters must cover medically necessary expenses for standard fertility preservation services when medical treatment may cause iatrogenic infertility; Prohibits discrimination in health insurance coverage based on various factors, including age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status; Establishes a Statewide Steering Committee on Sickle Cell Disease within DPH, and requires the committee to study and make recommendations on enhancing access to services, establishing a sickle cell disease registry, coordinating healthcare services for pediatric to adult transitions, and engaging with communities through outreach and education; Directs DPH to provide certain information on the sickle cell trait to individuals and families, including its health impacts, mode of transmission, and implications for pregnancy; Establishes a program within DPH to promote screening and detection of sickle cell disease, especially among underserved populations; Includes a statewide education and outreach campaign, grants to approved organizations for screening services, data compilation, and healthcare professional education programs; Establishes a system for reporting information on sickle cell disease and its variants, including a central registry; Mandates reporting of certain information by healthcare facilities, laboratories, and healthcare providers; Requires notification and counseling for parents when sickle cell trait is detected in newborn screening; Establishes a central registry for sickle cell trait patients, with follow-up consultations recommended at specific intervals; Requires the implementation of a sickle cell disease quality strategy, including measurable goals, provider network capacity, care coordination, provider training, and exceptions to prior authorization for pain medications; Requires an annual sickle cell disease management and accountability report to legislative committees.

HD141 - An Act relative to medical debt exclusion from creditor reports

Sponsor:

Rep. Bud Williams (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 93:52 to prohibit consumer reports from including information from more than seven years prior and information pertaining to bills, charges, debts, payments, or collections of bills, charges, debts, or payments for medical services by a healthcare provider.

HD190 - An Act relative to establishing a minimum age of entry for cannabis related events

Sponsor:

Rep. Hannah Kane (R)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 94G (Legalization of Marijuana) to require any marijuana-related event, forum, convention or conference to promote or encourage marijuana use or to educate users or prospective users on marijuana use, marijuana products or marijuana accessories held at any location in the Commonwealth to have a minimum age requirement of 21 years of age; further requires the organizer of such event, forum, convention or conference to ensure that any person attending the event is at least 21 years of age; exempts marijuana use prevention programs for youth, youth educational programs or substance misuse programs related to marijuana use from these requirements; establishes penalties for failure to comply with these requirements; provides that an event organizer who reasonably relies on: (i) a liquor purchase identification card; (ii) a motor vehicle license; (iii) a registry of motor vehicles identification card; (iv) a valid passport issued by the United States government, or by a foreign government recognized by the United States government; or (v) a valid United States issued military identification card for proof of a person's identity and age shall be presumed to have acted with due care and shall not be found to have failed to comply with this section; further provides that such presumption shall be rebuttable.

HD226 - An Act to permit the scattering of unclaimed cremated remains at sea

Sponsor:

Rep. Patrick Kearney (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 114:43M to allow funeral homes to scatter at sea the cremated remains of bodies that remain unclaimed for 1 year following cremation.

HD229 - An Act relative to prohibiting billboard advertisements of non-prescription marijuana

Sponsor:

Rep. Patrick Kearney (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL 94G:4 relative to the powers of the Cannabis Control Commission with respect to recreational marijuana by separating out the prohibition on advertising by billboard from the other restrictions on advertising, which currently include a prohibition on advertising, marketing, and branding by means of television, radio, internet, or print publication unless at least 85% of the audience is reasonably expected to be 21 years of age or older, as determined by reliable, up-to-date audience composition data.

HD231 - An Act related to granting three additional liquor licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk off the premises in the town of Marshfield and three additional licenses for alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of Marshfield

Sponsor:

Rep. Patrick Kearney (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD245 - An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer

Sponsor:

Rep. Carmine Gentile (D)

Summary:

Directs the Department of Public Health to administer a comprehensive pancreatic cancer initiative to provide coordinated pancreatic cancer prevention, screening, education and support programs in the commonwealth; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a pancreatic cancer advisory committee within the Department of Public Health; directs the department and advisory council to conduct a study to ascertain the prevalence and incidence of pancreatic cancer in the commonwealth, the unmet needs of persons with pancreatic cancer and their families, time-of-diagnosis statistics and likely risks for pancreatic cancer; details components of the study. Additionally, directs the Commissioner of Insurance survey health insurers in the Commonwealth to ascertain coverage benefits of genetic testing for pancreatic cancer across health insurance plans; instructs the Center for Health Information and Analysis shall conduct a review and update of its mandated benefit review of pancreatic cancer screenings; requires the advisory council to have its initial meeting within 60 days.

HD268 - An Act relative to payments for use of ambulance services

Sponsor:

Rep. Dennis Gallagher (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 3C to GL Chapter 176D, requiring health insurance carriers, including health maintenance organizations, hospital service corporations, preferred provider arrangements and insurance companies, to directly and promptly pay ambulance service companies for emergency services rendered to an insured, even if they are not under a contractual agreement; requires the insured to assign their benefits to the ambulance company in order to facilitate payment, even if the insurance contract prohibits assignment of benefits; does not classify payment of the insured as payment of the ambulance company; establishes payment rates equal to those established by municipalities, unless they are a non-profit licensed to operate critical care services for both ground and air transport; does not create an entitlement to coverage for ambulance services.

HD271 - An Act relative to informed consent for concurrent surgical procedures

Sponsor:

Rep. Hannah Kane (R)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 70I to GL Chapter 111 requiring physicians to provide patients notice of elective concurrent surgical procedures at least 14 days in advance; additionally requires at least 48 hours notice to patients undergoing secondary emergency concurrent surgery; requires written informed consent by the patient prior to conducting the surgery; requires the notice to detail the availability of the physician during the surgery; instructs the department of public health to develop a written, standardized form for use in obtaining such patient consent; additionally requires attending physicians to note their presence or absence in a patient’s medical record, and who was in attendance during periods of absence; requires medical facilities that perform concurrent surgical procedures to publish notice on their webpages and on the webpages of surgeons who perform the concurrent surgeries; amends GL 111:70E (patients’ and residents’ rights) by allowing patients to refuse to undergo a concurrent surgical procedure except in cases of emergencies.

HD280 - An Act promoting the proper disposal of miniatures

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 94:321, the 'bottle bill,' to include 'miniatures' (or 'nips') under its bottle deposit requirements; defines a miniature as a bottle or container with a capacity of not more than 100 milliliters and which is produced for the purpose of containing an alcoholic beverage.

HD283 - An Act relative to emergency room procedure for prescribing or dispensing pain medication to certain persons on probation

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to require a treating clinician, prior to prescribing or dispensing pain medication to a patient presenting in an acute-care hospital or satellite emergency facility to ask said patient whether he is on probation and whether he is currently required to take court mandated drug tests as a condition of his probation; requires the clinician, if the patient answers in the affirmative to both such questions, to administer a urinalysis drug test prior to the prescribing or dispensing of any pain medication; further requires that said clinician inform the patient that the results of the drug test will be shared with the department of probation; provides that, if the patient answers in the negative to either or both questions, the clinician shall not administer a drug test; requires that, if the patient answers in the affirmative to both such questions and submits to a drug test as required by this section, the treating clinician shall, in a timely manner, provide the department of probation with: (i) the patient’s name, (ii) the responses to the questions and results of the drug test, and (iii) a copy of the prescription for any pain medication the clinician prescribed or dispensed; prohibits this Act from affecting the clinician’s diagnosis and treatment of the patient, including the prescribing or dispensing of pain medication or from preventing the clinician from dispensing pain medication as necessary to a patient in need of urgent medical treatment.

HD289 - An Act returning liquor license control to municipalities

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 138 (Alcoholic Liquors) to strike out provisions that currently cap the number of liquor licenses that a city or town may issue based on the size of the population. In its place, the bill gives cities and towns essentially unfettered discretion to determine the number of licenses the city or town wants to issue, so long as it is done so pursuant to a plan that has been approved by the mayor, city council or board of selectmen. These plans have to be adopted after the city or town has held public hearings on the matter; licenses issued to registered pharmacists are to be exempt from the calculation of the number of licenses. NOTE: Without the adoption of a plan, cities and towns will be limited to 1 license for each 5000 residents.

HD290 - An Act relative to LSDs (Lysosomal Storage Disorders) in infants

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:10A, the statute governing Tests of Newborns for Treatable Disorders or Diseases, to require such testing for Krabbe, Fabry, Gaucher, Pompe, MPS I and Niemann Pick A/B.

HD315 - An Act relative to cannabis marketing

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 94G:4 relative to the Cannabis Control Commission, to increase from 85% to 90% the threshold for the percentage of the audience that must be at least age 21 or older before any advertising, marketing and branding by means of television, radio, internet, billboard or print publication for cannabis products may be marketed to that audience.

HD316 - An Act relative to cannabis advertisements by out of state dispensaries

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 94G:4 (Cannabis) to direct Cannabis Control Commission to prohibit advertising by dispensaries that operate exclusively outside of the Commonwealth.

HD318 - An Act relative to billboard advertisements for cannabis

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 94G:4 (Cannabis) to direct Cannabis Control Commission to review every billboard or other large public facing advertisement and approve the imagery, size, location, font size, size of the required disclaimers and any other element of such advertisements.

HD336 - An Act relative to a temporary possession ban of animals for animal abusers

Sponsor:

Rep. Tram Nguyen (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD338 - An Act establishing free broadband internet access in public housing

Sponsor:

Rep. Dan Sena (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 121B:32 to require the provision of free broadband internet to residents of public housing; additionally directs the Department of Public Health to conduct a study on the availability of broadband internet in the Commonwealth and its relationship to public health.

HD375 - An Act related to comprehensive clinical and extended support services

Sponsor:

Rep. Adam Scanlon (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD380 - An Act relative to privileged communications

Sponsor:

Rep. Joan Meschino (D)

Summary:

Amends various provisions of human services law to essentially exempt anybody hired by legal counsel as part of a legal representation from mandated reporter statutes; provides that various mandated reported statutes not apply to a person who is retained by an attorney to assist the attorney in his or her representation of an individual client or employed by a legal service provider to assist its attorneys in their joint representation. The statutes in question include GL 19A:15 (Elder Affairs), GL 19C:1 (Disabled Persons Protection Commission), GL 111:72G (home health care and hospice patients), and GL 119:51A (protection and care of children).

HD400 - An Act protecting vulnerable elders from abuse

Sponsor:

Rep. Tram Nguyen (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions relative to the mandatory reporting of elder abuse, by adding provisions relative to what happens when the elder is abused in the care and custody of a state agency, including in correctional and mental health facilities. In particular, the bill: Establishes that “caretakers” of the elderly include any person or agency responsible for an elderly person’s health or welfare in any custodial or residential facility; Carves out an exception from the abuse statue for elders in prisons our house of correction resulting from physical contact in carrying out correctional duties; Expands the prohibitions on retaliatory actions relative to reporting elder abuse; Extends the protective services system to elderly who have been involuntarily committed under GL Chapter 123; Establishes that reports of elder abuse taking place within state agencies are to be reported to the General Counsel of EOHHS for investigation; and Establishes that no elderly person residing in a prison, jail, civil commitment center, house of correction, or similar facility may be charged for the provision of protective services.

HD403 - An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need

Sponsor:

Rep. Hannah Kane (R)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 38OO to GL Chapter 63 (Corporate Excise) to establish a credit for the donation of food crops to a nonprofit food distribution organization by a farm incorporated as a business corporation. The credit is to be limited to the fair market value of the donated crops up to an aggregate deduction of $2,000, and if certain other triggers are met. Expands the exception from liability for anyone donating food which may have exceeded its sell by date and may have spoiled, as set forth in GL 94:328, by making it clear that the exemption from liability includes not only the person handling the food, but any other person who may be affected by it.

HD430 - An Act authorizing charity alcohol auctions

Sponsor:

Rep. Joan Meschino (D)

Summary:

HD441 - An Act relative to making the charter of the city of Chicopee gender neutral

Sponsor:

Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD449 - An Act relative to transparency and accountability in procurement

Sponsor:

Rep. Christopher Worrell (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD457 - An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health

Sponsor:

Rep. Christine Barber (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions relative to Bridgewater State Hospital to move the administration of the hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health. In particular, the bill establishes that the Commissioner of DMH is to have the responsibility for the operation and oversight of Bridgewater State Hospital and for providing the medical and mental health treatment for all men sent to that facility; it requires DMH to develop and maintain a division of forensic mental health services to provide forensic services such as court-ordered evaluations of competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and aid-in-sentencing, among others. Finally, the bill repeals the section that currently lists Bridgewater State Hospital as one of the institutions of the Department or Correction, and also strikes out references to the Medical Director of Bridgewater State Hospital.NOTE: Please note that Bridgewater State Hospital has a long history of being administered by both the Department of Correction and the Department of Mental Health, often with the different departments having responsibility over different aspects of the hospital, such as treatment and security.

HD460 - An Act relative to fees for student organizations

Sponsor:

Rep. Adam Scanlon (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD479 - An Act relative to historic building tax credits

Sponsor:

Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD490 - An Act relative to student safety in interscholastic athletic activities

Sponsor:

Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD513 - An Act concerning equitable allocation of recovery proceeds for subrogation claims

Sponsor:

Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D)

Summary:

Regulates allocation of amounts recovered by a defendant in accident cases; amends GL 111:70A (hospital lien) by splitting attorneys fees and costs accrued in a case involving an accident or injury between the health maintenance organization, or hospital, medical or dental service corporation that provided treatment and the injured person; excludes accidents covered by workers compensation; adds a new Section 70D½ to GL Chapter 111, which prohibits health maintenance organizations, or hospitals, medical or dental service corporations that provide treatment for a person injured in an accident from establishing a lien, a right of reimbursement, a subrogation claim or a claim of recoupment for more than their proportionate share based on the value of services provided; requires fair apportionment of damages awarded in workers compensation cases between the injured and the insurance company; authorizes reduction of an insurer’s lien in workers compensation cases if the settlement, judgment or funds available to satisfy the judgment are less than the amount of plaintiff’s total damages.

HD516 - An Act relative to the requirement of explosive gas sensor devices

Sponsor:

Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 148:26F to require that the owners of any residential building containing combustible gas burning equipment install working combustible gas detection alarms, that are approved by the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations; requires landlords and building superintendents to install such alarms at the beginning of any rental period and to annually replace batteries in battery operated alarms and inspect hard-wired alarms; requires inspection by the fire department for compliance with the combustible gas detector requirement, which was in effect on the date of the issuance of the relevant building permit, upon upon sale or transfer of a residential building; and requires that the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations and the Department of Public Health each adopt regulations to effectuate these provisions.

HD532 - An Act relative to supporting sustainability in the cannabis industry

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL 94G:4 relative to the Cannabis Control Commission, to require the Commission to convene a sustainability working group to meet with representatives from the cannabis industry to discuss measures that will increase sustainable practices and reduce the use of natural materials in the cannabis industry.

HD543 - An Act to promote equitable access to parole

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD575 - An Act extending live and simulcasted horse racing in the Commonwealth

Sponsor:

Rep. Tackey Chan (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD578 - An Act for informed consent in public health

Sponsor:

Rep. John Gaskey (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD581 - An Act relative to patient care access

Sponsor:

Rep. William C. Galvin (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:1 (Public Health) to clarify definition of "Medical peer review committee"; amends GL 112:5C (Medical Malpractice) to provide that the offering of expert testimony in a medical malpractice action constitutes the practice of medicine; adds a new Section 193V to GL Chapter 175 (Insurance), which requires insurers and risk management organizations that provide malpractice and liability insurance to physicians to annually submit reports to the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction; articulates mandatory components of these reports, including, but not limited to identifying the top ten losses and claims for damage for personal injuries allegedly caused by error, omission, or negligence; amends GL 231:60G (Judgments) to permit award reductions when damages are replaceable, compensable or indemnifiable by a third party; amends GL Chapter 231 to establish two new sections: 60M, which defines procedures for periodic payments over time when malpractice judgments exceed $50,000, and 60N, which sets post-judgment interest rate at weekly average one year constant maturity Treasury yield.

HD583 - An Act to encourage quality reviews and reduce costs in health care

Sponsor:

Rep. William C. Galvin (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 231 to include actions for wrongful death under medical malpractice damages (they are currently exempt); establishes new burdens of proof on plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases; amends GL Chapter 111 by exempting peer review committees established by health care providers from the public records law; amends the formula for the calculation of damages for unfair business practices under GL Chapter 93A, by eliminating language using the judgment amount on the underlying claims and instead using judgment interest applied to the judgment by the courts.

HD591 - An Act preserving access to hospital services

Sponsor:

Rep. Margaret Scarsdale (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:51G, directing the DPH to create a state receivership process in which the closure of hospitals or free-standing clinics providing essential health services occurs without a 90 day notice or results in a discontinuation of necessary services within the area.

HD592 - An Act relative to contractor liability for unpermitted construction

Sponsor:

Rep. Margaret Scarsdale (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD600 - An Act to update postural screenings in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Rodney Elliott (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 71:57 to eliminate postural screenings yearly in grades 5-9, instead requiring one screening during grades 6, 7, 8, or 9.

HD601 - An Act relative to the practice of acupuncture

Sponsor:

Rep. Rodney Elliott (D)

Summary:

Establishes and regulates the membership and operation of special commission on acupuncture and wellness within the department of public health; amends various general laws to require health insurance policies (GL Chapter 175), nonprofit hospital service corporations (GL Chapter 176A), medical service corporations (GL Chapter 176B), health maintenance organizations (GL Chapter 176G) and the contributory health insurance system for public employees (GL Chapter 32A) to provide coverage for acupuncture and oriental medicine based diagnosis and treatment in the areas of pain management, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse treatment and nausea; prohibits health benefits providers from differentiating reimbursement rates for acupuncture services by provider type; limits acupuncture services reimbursement to licensed acupuncturists or medical doctors.

HD607 - An Act relative to solid waste disposal facilities in environmental justice communities

Sponsor:

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:150A governing solid waste disposal facilities to direct DEP to adopt regulations related to permit violations by said facilities in environmental justice communities; allows for penalties to include fines, as well as permit revocation for repeated violations.

HD610 - An Act to encourage solar development on buildings and disturbed land

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 164 (Electricity generation) to encourage the construction of solar facilities on “disturbed land” and “built land”; defines these terms to include areas without natural plant life due to pre-existing human activity, and parking lots, brownfields, landfills, etc.; exempts certain net metering facilities on built land from limitations on net metering capacity; directs DOER to incorporate facilities on built land into the solar incentive program; commissions a study regarding the use of federal funds to support the equitable deployment of solar facilities located on built land; and creates an incentive for roof repair or replacement as part of a rooftop solar project.

HD624 - An Act ensuring equitable access to cannabis related expungement

Sponsor:

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 276:100K to provide for expungement of now-decriminalized and certain marijuana-related offenses upon a simple request of a petitioner; directs DOC and sheriffs running houses of correction to review the sentencing mittimus of persons incarcerated for now-decriminalized offenses or marijuana-related parole violations; provides for their release.

HD634 - An Act ensuring safe drinking water in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 160H to GL Chapter 111, establishing the Safe Drinking Water at School Act, requiring all schools and child care centers to test each drinking water outlet for elevated lead levels; regulates collection processes and the process for remediating drinking water outlets that show elevated lead levels, including use of point-of-use filters and water fountain replacement; requires all schools and child care centers to submit plans of action for preventing water lead contamination, and subsequent progress reports; requires schools and child care centers to publish information on testing and results at each drinking water outlet, and to post “non-drinking” at outlets not intended for drinking.

HD635 - An Act prohibiting the requirement of a COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA vaccine, or gene-altering procedure

Sponsor:

Rep. John Gaskey (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD690 - An Act relative to the creation of additional business opportunities for alcohol retailers

Sponsor:

Rep. Sean Reid (D)

Summary:

Amend various provisions related to the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to allow license holders to make online sales of wine or malt beverages for direct shipment to consumers; requires retail licensees shipping wine and malt beverages to hold a shipper’s license; directs the alcoholic beverages control commission to make licenses available for the operation of online wine and malt beverages stores; requires such stores to have a physical address in Massachusetts, but not an operating storefront; allows license holders to transport and delivery alcoholic beverages outside the commonwealth; directs the alcoholic beverages control commission to promulgate related regulations by December 31, 2025.

HD699 - An Act to update postural screenings in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Sean Reid (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 71:57 to eliminate postural screenings yearly in grades 5-9, instead requiring one screening during grades 6, 7, 8, or 9.

HD716 - An Act protecting children from harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 243 to GL Chapter 111 on sale of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building; prohibits the sale to anyone under the age of eighteen; directs retail establishments to restrict access to customers, have the products only accessible by employee, and request identification of customers attempting to make a purchase; outlines responsibilities of delivery sellers; establishes a $1000 fine for violating this section; and lists determining factors for evaluating whether a product falls under this category.

HD718 - An Act relative to containers, litter, ecology and nips (CLEAN Act)

Sponsor:

Rep. Ken Sweezey (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 94:321 (definitions related to refund value of beverage containers) to include alcoholic beverages sold in a miniature as those beverages subject to a refund deposit; increases container handling fees from 1 cent to 3 cents; prohibits municipalities from banning the sale of miniatures.

HD729 - An Act requiring licensure for use of graduated electronic decelerators

Sponsor:

Rep. William C. Galvin (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 244 to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to regulate the use of any “graduated electronic decelerator,” which is defined as a device that applies a noxious electrical stimulus or electric shock to the skin of a person with a disability to alter behavior. Specifically, DPH is to promulgate rules and regulations for the training, certification and licensing of individuals to use a graduated electronic decelerator, and prohibits any person from using such a device without a license. In addition, no entity operating within the Commonwealth may permit an individual to use such a device without a license. Violations will be punishable of a fine not to exceed $500.

HD730 - An Act relative to preventing death by drug overdose

Sponsor:

Rep. William C. Galvin (D)

Summary:

Amends various provisions relating to the treatment and transportation of individuals suffering from a drug overdose; requires law enforcement officials to assist emergency medical technicians in the restraint of a patient if requested; requires any person treated with an opioid antagonist by a law enforcement official, firefighter or EMS personnel to be transported to a hospital for monitoring, observation and possible treatment, with or without their consent; authorizes the restraint of individuals transported after treatment when necessary; authorizes law enforcement searches to discover and seize dangerous weapons if there is a reasonable belief of a safety threat; immunizes EMS personnel who transport individuals treated with an opioid antagonist from liability for damages or expenses resulting from actions undertaken in good faith; exempts people who render emergency care, including transportation to a hospital or administration of an opioid antagonist, from liability when undertaken in good faith and without compensation.

HD731 - An Act relative to patient access to information regarding breast reconstructive surgery

Sponsor:

Rep. William C. Galvin (D)

Summary:

Requires a facility providing mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection, or a lumpectomy to provide information to the patient concerning the option of reconstructive surgery; directs the information provided to include those matters, outlined herein, prior to the consent of surgery.

HD733 - An Act establishing a fund for the care of retired police dogs

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD749 - An Act relative to the siting of facilities dealing with refuse

Sponsor:

Rep. William C. Galvin (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:150A, relative to solid waste disposal facilities; introduces the concept of a 'facility density zone' as a geographical area or zone where 5 or more existing facility sites are situated within 4 miles of a proposed new or expanded facility; authorizes the Board of Health of any other municipality within one-half mile of a proposed new or expanded facility site within a facility density zone to hold public hearings to consider the public health and safety impacts of the proposed facility on its community before making a written determination on the suitability of the proposed facility; authorizes any person, including a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, desiring to establish a new facility or expand an existing facility to a determination of whether an environmental review is required for the proposed facility under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act; requires an environmental impact report for a proposed new or expanded facility, without exception or waiver, where the facility site is located in a facility density zone and the facility's planned new or expanded capacity is 20 tons or more, per day of refuse, or where the facility's planned new or expanded capacity is 150 tons or more, per day of refuse. Prohibits the granting of a permit for a new or expanded facility unless the environmental impact report, if required, provides in specific detail that the proposed facility meets all such siting requirements.

HD753 - An Act relative to assault and battery against healthcare personnel, school officials, and first responders

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 265:13A governing assault and battery to increase penalties in cases where the victim is a police officer or public safety employee, teacher or other school employee, a registered nurse, or police dog.

HD761 - An Act establishing a designation of a state protection and advocacy system

Sponsor:

Rep. Christine Barber (D)

Summary:

Establishes a protection and advocacy system for the purpose of investigating abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of persons with disabilities occurring in the Commonwealth and advocating for the civil and human rights of such persons; provides that system shall be an independent private nonprofit corporation which has been designated as the protection and advocacy system for the commonwealth under the federal law.

HD762 - An Act to require a suitable ride home from the hospital for all cognitively impaired discharges

Sponsor:

Rep. John Marsi (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD774 - An Act removing barriers to care for physician assistants

Sponsor:

Rep. Christine Barber (D)

Summary:

Amends various provisions related to the licensing and supervision of physicians assistants, including their scope of practice, their ability to bill independently, and the legal responsibility for treatment of patients; allows physicians assistants to undertake various services when within their education, training, experience and competency.

HD811 - An Act relative to responsibly reducing emissions in the transportation sector

Sponsor:

Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD829 - An Act relative to rental protections for elderly, disabled and low-to-middle income tenants

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven Ultrino (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 31 to GL Chapter 186 allowing certain tenants to terminate a rental agreement or tenancy without a penalty by submitting written notice 30 days prior to the date of termination; applies only to seniors, persons with disabilities, or those earning 80% or less of area median income and residing in nursing, age restricted or assisted living facilities, or in low or moderate income housing; directs the department of housing and community development to promulgate rules and regulations implementing these provisions.

HD881 - An Act relative to drug driving

Sponsor:

Rep. Tackey Chan (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 90:24 (Driving while Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor, etc.), by subjecting drivers in the commonwealth to implied consent to drug testing performed by a certified Drug Recognition Expert when arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs and controlled substances; defines drug recognition experts as police officers who complete requisite training.

HD882 - An Act relative to the responsible sale of alcoholic beverages

Sponsor:

Rep. Tackey Chan (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:15 to eliminate the requirement that 50% of revenue produced by a restaurant licensed as a common victualler be derived from the sale of grocery items.

HD883 - An Act relative to alcoholic beverage containers

Sponsor:

Rep. Tackey Chan (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:15 to clarify that individuals who have been licensed to sell alcoholic beverages are permitted to sell them in any size container approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

HD884 - An Act providing living organ donor protections

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 175 and Chapter 176U (Insurance) to prohibit insurers issuing policies against disability from: (1) declining or limiting coverage of a person solely due to the status of the person as a living organ donor; (2) precluding a person from donating all or part of an organ as a condition of continuing to receive coverage; or (3) otherwise discriminating in any condition of coverage, based solely and without any additional actuarial risks upon the status of a person as a living organ donor; provides that a violation constitutes an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice.

HD889 - An Act relative to providing dental care to senior citizens

Sponsor:

Rep. Tackey Chan (D)

Summary:

Amends GLs 118E:8 and 118E:53 to require that the Division of Medical Assistance provide MassHealth coverage for dentures, restorative, endodontic and periodontal treatment for MassHealth benefit recipients ages 65 and older.

HD915 - An Act to improve sickle cell care

Sponsor:

Rep. Bud Williams (D)

Summary:

HD924 - An Act relative to clinical laboratory testing

Sponsor:

Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111D:8 (Clinical Laboratories) to add a person from whose body a specimen was derived to the list of persons who may request a clinical laboratory to examine the specimen.

HD933 - An Act to promote high value and evidence-based behavioral health care

Sponsor:

Rep. James Arciero (D)

Summary:

Requires EOHHS to establish a special commission charged with expanding access to specialty behavioral health care inpatient beds for adults and youth; requires EOHHS to coordinate an interagency statewide planning committee to annually study the need for behavioral health care services across the commonwealth, beginning with inpatient psychiatric units and department of mental health beds; requires the Health Policy Commission to develop guidelines for the delivery of evidence-based delivery of behavioral health services, and to conduct a study on the variation of the practice of behavioral health providers in the Commonwealth; requires the Department of Elder Affairs to establish clinical competencies and additional operational standards for care and treatment of patients admitted to facilities licensed pursuant to 104 CMR 27.00; and makes other technical changes relative to determination of need and behavioral health.

HD943 - An Act to promote equity joint venture partnerships

Sponsor:

Rep. Sam Montaño (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD947 - An Act relative to healthy youth

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 32B to GL Chapter 71 requiring that any district or charter school offering sexual health education provide it in a medically accurate, age appropriate, and comprehensive fashion; outlines the components of such a curriculum, including instruction on human development, anatomy, and reproduction, the benefits of abstinence, the prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancy, how to effectively discuss safe sex and consent, healthy relationships, and recognizing and preventing dating violence; requires instruction to include age-appropriate information regarding gender identity and sexual orientation; provides for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework to be reviewed and updated every 10 years; and authorizes DESE to issue rules implementing these provisions, and to set minimum education and training qualifications for sexual health education instructors. Additionally, further outlines requirements regarding parental rights as it relates to sexual health instruction; requires schools to notify parents of the curriculum offered by the school, and allows parents to inspect instruction materials; and authorizes parents to withdraw students from all or part of the instruction. Adds a new Section 1E½ to GL Chapter 69 to require school districts to file a biennial report with DESE regarding their sexual health education policy, including a description of any relevant curriculum offered, time spent on sexual health instruction, and numbers of students who participated or withdrew; and provides for this data to be submitted to DPH and made publicly available.

HD971 - An Act relative to enhancing child safety

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 101:16A regarding the sale of frozen desserts on or from motor vehicles and the necessity of flashing lights on such vehicles; imposes a fifty dollar fine for failure to have flashing amber dome lights and front and rear warning lights; requires inspection of the lights during annual motor vehicle maintenance; requires a failed motor vehicle inspection for vehicles that without such lights.

HD982 - An Act requiring universal changing stations in public buildings

Sponsor:

Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 143:93 relative to the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards in the chapter on Inspection and Regulation of, and Licenses for, Buildings, Elevators and Cinematographs requires that any newly constructed, reconstructed, or remodeled state-owned and maintained public building in Massachusetts with a public toilet room must include at least one universal changing station by January 1, 2026. A universal changing station is defined as an “adult-sized changing table capable of holding at least 350 pounds and accessible to individuals of any age or sex who require assistance with diapering.” In addition: Outlines specific requirements for the changing stations, including weight capacity, size, accessibility features, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; Mandates signage indicating the station's location, instructions for use, and safety features; Requires exemptions for cases where installation is not feasible, would violate accessibility standards, affect historic properties, or exceed a certain cost threshold; Requires the Architectural Access Board to promulgate regulations providing that any public building or place of public accommodation that is newly constructed, reconstructed or remodeled on or after January 1, 2026 must install and maintain at least 1 universal changing station.

HD986 - An Act in the town of Hanson local licenses and permits; denial, revocation or suspension for failure to comply with conditions of approval

Sponsor:

Rep. Ken Sweezey (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD994 - An Act to reduce waste in school cafeterias

Sponsor:

Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1004 - An Act relative to retailer-backed coupons

Sponsor:

Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:25C to permit a licensee authorized to sell alcoholic beverages at retail for off-premises consumption to issue coupons to customers for the purchase of alcoholic beverages at prices below current posted prices provided that the final cost to a customer is not below the retailer’s invoiced cost after applicable discounts.

HD1010 - An Act authorizing the town of Marshfield to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages

Sponsor:

Rep. Patrick Kearney (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1017 - An Act relative to recovery housing in environmental justice communities

Sponsor:

Rep. Christopher Worrell (D)

Summary:

Repeals GL 17:18A relative to voluntary training and accreditation program for operators of alcohol and drug free housing within DPH. In it's place, enacts a new §18B, establishing regulating recovery housing (or “sober homes”) under which DPH is to determine the regional need for recovery housing throughout the Commonwealth. DPH may issue a “determination of need” permit to operate recovery housing to various applicants, so long as the homes don't all end up in an “impacted community,” which are essentially poor communities disproportionately impact by addiction.

HD1021 - An Act modernizing the Massachusetts Laws

Sponsor:

Rep. Christopher Worrell (D)

Summary:

Makes several technical changes to the provisions of GL Chapter 138 relative to licenses authorizing sale of beverages to be drunk on premises, including: Amending references to premises that are operated as “appurtenant and contiguous to and in conjunction with each other” to strike out the reference to contiguous; Eliminates the provision that no license may be issued to any applicant who has been convicted of a violation of a federal or state narcotic drugs law, or of a felony in general; Establishes that no applicant shall be issued a license unless their character is satisfactory to the licensing authorities; and Expands the time to appeal a licensing authority decision from 5 to 10 days.

HD1035 - An Act to facilitate labor peace among the cannabis workforce

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven Owens (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 94G relative to recreational marijuana by adding provisions that mandate that a prospective cannabis establishment seeking a license attests to not obstructing union agents' communication with employees about their labor rights. For existing cannabis establishments renewing their licenses, a similar attestation requirement is introduced, emphasizing the establishment's commitment to not interfering with employees' union formation and maintenance, along with the provision for union agents to communicate labor rights. Failure to comply with these terms could result in the denial of an application or a license renewal.

HD1049 - An Act concerning the regulation of kratom

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Hunt (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1089 - An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

Amends multiple GLs to include, in the definition of acute treatment services, any medically necessary services provided to individuals who have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorder and who are receiving treatment in a facility licensed or certified by the Department of Mental Health of Department of Public Health.

HD1090 - An Act to improve oral health for all Massachusetts residents

Sponsor:

Rep. Patricia Duffy (D)

Summary:

Modifies numerous provisions of the general laws to promote improved oral health for all residents of the commonwealth; requires public schools to notify parents and guardians of the importance of public health on a form developed by the department of public health; allows a licensed dental therapist under the supervision of a practitioner to possess and distribute controlled substances.Establishes a comprehensive system for the licensing of dental therapists under GL Chapter 112; requires applicants to have a master's degree in dental therapy program that includes both dental therapy and dental hygiene, to pass a comprehensive examination in dental therapy approved by the board of registration in dentistry, and to have liability insurance; requires applicants to have practiced under the direct supervision of a supervising dentist for at least two years or 2,500 hours before practicing under general supervision under a collaborative management agreement; directs the board to approve the exam by January 1, 2020; regulates the licensure process, including for individuals licensed in other states.Defines the scope of practice for licensed dental therapists; allows licensed dental therapists to perform all acts of a public health dental hygienist and those in the commission on dental accreditation dental therapy standards, including performing oral evaluations, assessments of disease, development of treatment plans, and dispensing non-narcotic analgesics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics; prohibits dental therapists from supervising more than two dental hygienists and two dental assistance; prohibits them from overseeing other dental therapists; regulates the scope of their practice; allows performance of advanced procedures after completing 2,500 hours and under the direct supervision of a supervising dentist, including simple extractions, fabrication and placement of crowns and pulp capping.Directs the Department of Public Health to evaluate the impact of dental therapists practicing under general supervision, and to make recommendations on whether they should be able to perform advanced procedures under general supervision; requires the board of registration in dentistry to establish regulations that implement the relevant scope of practice and working conditions recommended by DPH for dental therapists; regulates the permissible patient panel of a dental therapist; defines areas of consideration for DPH in its study of the impact of dental therapists; requires completion of the study within three years of the first graduating class of dental therapists.

HD1095 - An Act relative to license suspensions

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R)

Summary:

Requires any suspension of a license for the sale alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises, resulting from sales to a minor or an already intoxicated individual, to terminate all commercial, non-alcoholic sales activity; specifies that the suspension does not apply only to sale of alcoholic beverages.

HD1097 - An Act to increase the cannabis purchase and possession limits

Sponsor:

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1132 - An Act relative to hoisting license renewal

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 146:53 relative to the necessity of license or temporary permit for operating hoisting machinery not run by steam, by prohibiting the commissioner of Public Safety from promulgating any rules or regulations requiring more than two hours of classroom credit every four years for the renewal of a hoisting license.

HD1135 - An Act recognizing EMS as a disease dangerous to the public health, requiring inclusion in MAVEN, establishing the Massachusetts EMS registry and requiring biennial reporting as part of population health trends

Sponsor:

Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 244 to GL Chapter 111 directing DPH to designate Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) as a disease dangerous to the public health, collect and disseminate information regarding EMS to health care providers, and establish an EMS disease registry and related advisory committee to collect information regarding the prevalence of EMS in the Commonwealth.

HD1195 - An Act relative to waste disposal

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 270:16 (Disposal of Rubbish, etc. on or near Highways and Coastal or Inland Waters; Penalties; Enforcement) to require large waste disposal bags that have or exceed the dimensions of: (i) eight feet in width, (ii) two and one-half feet in height, and (iii) 4 feet in depth, to have affixed on their strap handles and siding an identifying serial number; further requires sellers of such bags to have a tracking system in place using said serial numbers to ensure proper disposal of waste

HD1228 - An Act establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Chapter 175N to the General Laws, to create a single-payer system for health care in Massachusetts; establishes the Massachusetts Health Care Trust, which will be the single-payer body responsible for the collection and disbursement of funds required to provide health care services for every resident of the Commonwealth; establishes a 29 member board to include representatives nominated by health care professionals, labor, senior citizens, single-payer advocates, people with disabilities and caregivers, children's advocates, providers of legal services for people of low-income; 8 people elected by the citizens of Massachusetts; and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Administration and Finance, and the Commissioner of Public Health; creates a position of Executive Director and a number of offices to administer the trust. Guarantees health care access to all residents without regard to citizenship status, incarceration, financial or employment status, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, previous health problems, or geographic location; directs the trust to pay for care sought by Massachusetts residents in bordering states; directs the trust to control costs by establishing a global budget; by capital budgeting and limiting duplicative expenditures for construction and major equipment; by negotiating statewide wholesale prices for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies; and by more efficient use of health care facilities. Establishes eligibility criteria for both participants and health care providers, the enumeration of covered benefits, provisions relative to wraparound coverage for federal health programs, and the establishment of a Health Care Trust Fund to finance the operation, with a dedicated health care tax imposed on employers, workers, and citizens. Establishes an employer payroll tax of 7.5%, exempting the first $20,000 of payroll per establishment; an additional employer payroll tax of 0.5% on establishments with 100 or more employees; a payroll tax of 2.5% on employees, exempting the first $20,000 of income; a payroll tax on the self-employed of 10%, exempting the first $20,000 of payroll per self-employed resident; and a 10% tax on unearned income (including dividends, capital gains, rents, and profits) excluding the first $20,000, as well as social security, unemployment benefits, workers compensation, sick pay, paid family and medical leave, and pensions.

HD1254 - An Act relative to the environmental protection of Joint Base Cape Cod

Sponsor:

Rep. David T. Vieira (R)

Summary:

Amends various provisions relative to the environmental protection of the Massachusetts military reservation on Cape Cod, also known as the Joint Base Cape Cod, or JBCC; repeals reference to the department of fisheries, wildlife and environmental law enforcement, and replaces it with the department of fish and game and the department of conservation and recreation; further replaces reference to the department of environmental affairs to the department of energy and environmental affairs; includes the department of fish and game and the commissioner of conservation and recreation on the environmental management commission; modifies the membership of the advisory committees, by removing appointees of the Governor and replacing them with at-large representatives.

HD1255 - An Act to close the achievement gap by addressing disparities in children's vision

Sponsor:

Rep. Christine Barber (D)

Summary:

Adds new Sections 238 and 238A to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to establish and regulate a children’s vision and eye health advisory council within the Department of Public Health.

HD1289 - An Act to restrict the use of polystyrene

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 5T to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to prohibit food establishments from dispensing food to customers in disposable containers made from polystyrene as of August 1, 2022; prohibits retail establishments from selling or distributing disposable food containers made of polystyrene as of the same date; authorizes the department of public health to promulgate regulations to enforce this prohibition, including fines; establishes a process for food establishments to obtain a one year waiver from compliance; defines disposable food container, food establishment, polystyrene, prepared food and retail establishment.

HD1294 - An Act to incentivize the adoption of local climate resilience policies

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 12 to GL Chapter 21N on climate resilience policies and establishes the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, which incentivizes municipalities to participate in climate resiliency programs with funds disbursed through the MVP Trust Fund; mandates municipalities adopt a specialized stretch resiliency code to be eligible for these funds; outlines the standards of this code, which serve to prepare municipalities to withstand climate risks; allows the code’s interpretation and enforcement to be appealed. Establishes a new Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Trust Fund on the books of the Commonwealth, under the control of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Makes changes to the State Building Code to harmonize with the provisions of the MVP progam.

HD1308 - An Act providing for diabetes management in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Frank A. Moran (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL 71:54B relative to the administration of medications in school settings by establishing that the school nurse or physician may delegate the authority to administer the treatment of low blood sugar and monitor symptoms of students with type 1 diabetes to a trained health assistant. Each student with diabetes is to be placed in a classroom with a health or instructional assistant already supporting other students in this classroom. Requires that all school staff will be trained to administer treatment for low blood sugar and monitoring symptoms yearly.

HD1343 - An Act increasing the liability for permitting an intoxicated arrestee to operate a motor vehicle

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Requires the vehicle of an intoxicated person under arrest to be impounded for 12 hours; requires any individual summoned by the person to transport or accompany them from a jail to be shown and made to sign a written statement indicating liability for allowing the person to operate a vehicle; regulates the impoundment process and return of the vehicle to the person.

HD1361 - An Act relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1362 - An Act relative to creating accessible CNA training

Sponsor:

Rep. Tackey Chan (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1364 - An Act establishing guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

Makes several discrete amendments in the chapter on Medicaid relative to the appointment and use of professional guardians. In particular: Prohibits immediate family members (a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling) from being a a “provider” within the meaning of the Medicaid statute; Requires EOHHS to also establish rates for “professional” guardians along with rates of payment for social service programs; Amends provisions currently establishing that no claim for medical care or services is to be reimbursed if any health insurer is already liable for it, with provisions that in the case of a guardian, no claim for care or services shall be reimbursed if any department of the state or federal judiciary is liable for such claim; Adds provisions establishing what evidence a guardian needs to submit to present satisfactory evidence of their qualifications to provide professional services.

HD1368 - An Act relative to emergency stock supply of epinephrine in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 71 (Public Schools) to require every school to maintain a stock supply of non-patient specific epinephrine available to all students, including students with individualized health care plans prescribing epinephrine injections, to be administered in the event of an anaphylactic emergency; directs DPH to promulgate regulations requiring school districts to adopt and implement policies pursuant to this Act; identifies several areas to be covered by said regulations; indemnifies a school nurse or other authorized individual who provides, administers, or assists in the administration of epinephrine to a student believed in good faith to be having an anaphylactic reaction from any civil damages for negligence in acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment; provides that the cost of supplying nonpatient specific epinephrine to schools pursuant shall be assessed on surcharge payers as defined in GL Chapter 118E (Division of Medical Assistance).

HD1372 - An Act to eliminate fees for the removal of a child’s body by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Sponsor:

Rep. Homar Gómez (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1377 - An Act relative to proper classification of health care workers during a public health emergency

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1378 - An Act relative to abandoned remains

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 38:16 relative to required reports relating to certain controlled substances in the chapter on Medical Examiners and Inquests by adding provisions that require the Chief Medical Officer to accept for temporary storage abandoned remains of persons who have died of natural causes in facilities licensed by DPH, or other non-DPH facilities upon written request of the appropriate facility administrator. “Abandoned” remains are those of a dead body that no one has taken legal authority of for a period of 15 days.

HD1384 - An Act relative to certified medical directors at skilled nursing facilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (D)

Summary:

Requires medical directors of nursing homes to be certified until January 1, 2033; provides guidance on certification process; penalizes medical directors in violation of this section; and directs the department to submit a report with a permanent requirement for medical directors of nursing homes by January 1, 2031.

HD1402 - An Act relative to cider

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:1 by increasing the permissible alcohol content of cider exempted from the definition of wine from six percent to eight percent.

HD1405 - An Act relative to national criminal background checks for Section 12 and 15 licenses

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 172P to GL Chapter 6 permitting the alcoholic beverages control commission to obtain available criminal offender record information for every applicant pursuing a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages under GL 138:12 and GL 138:15 and share said information with the local licensing authority.

HD1406 - An Act relative to creating uniform standards for section 12 and 15 license applications

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 138 to specify that licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on premises are prohibited for applicants who have been convicted of a felony, unless said applicant was convicted before the ten-year period and has demonstrated rehabilitation.

HD1431 - An Act relative to emergency stock epinephrine in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 71:54B to require school districts to allow students to self-administer epinephrine; requires schools to maintain a supply of epinephrine stored in an easily accessible location to be administered in the event of an anaphylactic emergency; directs the department of public health to promulgate regulations governing these provisions and explore avenues to acquire free epinephrine; indemnifies school nurses and other authorized individuals in the administration of epinephrine.

HD1443 - An Act delivering a fair share of cannabis revenue to communities harmed by the war on drugs

Sponsor:

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1449 - An Act to improve Massachusetts home care

Sponsor:

Rep. Thomas M. Stanley (D)

Summary:

Enacts three new sections into GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to require licensure for home care agencies; requires certain measures be included in regulations, including background checks, wage and labor compliance, and training requirements; allows for fines for the operation of an unlicensed home care agency or violations of regulations; establishes a home care worker and consumer abuse stakeholder advisory committee and a home care oversight advisory council; articulates the qualifications for members; requires each to review and report on the home care industry and status of home care licensure; applies employer non-discrimination statutes to individuals using a personal care attendant.

HD1453 - An Act warning consumers of the health risks of gas stoves

Sponsor:

Rep. Amy Mah Sangiolo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1455 - An Act relative to civil commitments and the appeal of those commitments

Sponsor:

Rep. Amy Mah Sangiolo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1470 - An Act expanding access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols

Sponsor:

Rep. Kathleen LaNatra (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 123:12 (Emergency restraint and hospitalization of persons with mental illness) to add licensed mental health counselors to list of licensed persons authorized to order restraint; authorizes all such licensed persons not to order hospitalization but instead to authorize an evaluation of the need for hospitalization.

HD1483 - An Act relative to the promotion of mental health education

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Higgins (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 71:3 to require schools to teach mental health education; amends GL 76:1 to require school committees to approve a private school when satisfied that the instruction in all the studies required by law equals in thoroughness, efficiency and progress that of the public schools in the same town, in addition to the incorporation of a mental health education program into the curriculum; prohibits school committees from withholding such approval on account of religious teaching; authorizes cities and towns to appropriate money for conveying pupils to and from any schools approved under this section.

HD1513 - An Act expanding after-death care options

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Higgins (D)

Summary:

Amends laws pertaining to burial and cremation of the deceased to additionally authorize alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction upon bodies of the dead; defines alkaline hydrolysis as the reduction of human remains to bone fragments and essential elements in a licensed hydrolysis facility using heat, pressure, water, and base chemical agents; further defines the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil; bans alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction upon the body of a deceased person within 48 hours after death, unless the person died of a contagious or infectious disease.

HD1517 - An Act authorizing local control of waste collection hours of operation

Sponsor:

Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:31A (Permit for Removal or Transportation of Garbage) by allowing municipal boards of health to restrict the hours in which business, residential, or commercial garbage, offal or other offensive substances may be collected.

HD1535 - An Act promoting patient safety and equitable access to care

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Higgins (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 231A to GL Chapter 111 to establish a statewide limit, specific to each hospital unit, for the number of patients a registered nurse can attend to at one time; directs the Attorney General to enforce limits; lists penalties for hospitals in violation of limits; and takes effect within two years of passage.

HD1538 - An Act preserving essential services in our hospitals

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Higgins (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:51G relative to the licensing of acute care hospitals by striking out provisions that currently require hospitals to submit a plan for assuring access to necessary services following the hospital's closure of a service, and to assure continuing access to services in the event that DPH determines that their closure will significantly reduce access to necessary services.

HD1550 - An Act relative to a humane response to a mental health crisis

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Higgins (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1560 - An Act protecting Norwood healthcare access

Sponsor:

Rep. John H. Rogers (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1563 - An Act authorizing the University of Massachusetts Building Authority to purchase and construct a hospital in the town of Norwood to be operated by UMass Memorial Health Care, Inc

Sponsor:

Rep. John H. Rogers (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1590 - An Act relative to containers, litter, ecology and nips (CLEAN Act)

Sponsor:

Rep. Brian M. Ashe (D)

Summary:

HD1591 - An Act promoting climate safe buildings

Sponsor:

Rep. Joan Meschino (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 143 (Building Inspection) to establish the state board of building regulations and standards to adopt a state building code to consist of uniform standards and requirements for construction and construction materials, compatible with accepted standards of engineering and fire prevention practices, energy conservation, climate resilience, and public health and safety; defines expanded floodplain map based on forward-looking climate projects for use by city or town; defines scope of authority of building code appeals board and requires appeals board to adopt a standard procedure for considering applications for variances to buildings or construction within a floodplain; amends GL Chapter 21A (Executive Office of Environmental Affairs) to direct the office to produce a municipal opt-in specialized stretch resilience code that incorporates forward-looking data on climate risks including, but not limited to, inland and coastal flooding, extreme temperatures, wind, and changes in precipitation patterns and that is more stringent than the most recent edition of the international building code and international residential code.

HD1594 - An Act authorizing the town of Ashland to grant additional liquor licenses for the sale of all alcohol beverages to be drunk on the premises

Sponsor:

Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis (D)

Summary:

Authorizes the town of Williamstown to allow for an additional alcoholic beverage license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk off the premises to Asnit LLC, dba Gold Leaf Shop, located at 240B Main Street.

HD1613 - An Act relative to removing liquor license caps in communities

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul K. Frost (R)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 138, governing alcohol, to allow municipalities to set the total number of licenses in their communities pursuant to a plan approved after at least one public hearing; excludes the City of Boston, for which there are specific statutes in place.

HD1615 - An Act relative to determination of need of new technology

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:25B (Determination of Need) to exclude computerized tomography and any equipment that is widely utilized as standard diagnostic, treatment or therapeutic technology from the statute's definition of new technology.

HD1616 - An Act to support quality improvement in nursing homes

Sponsor:

Rep. Thomas M. Stanley (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1626 - An Act regarding registered nurse first assistants

Sponsor:

Rep. David Paul Linsky (D)

Summary:

Adds a set of parallel provisions to GL Chapter 176A, Chapter 176B and Chapter 176G relative to Non-Profit Medical Service Corporations, Medical Service Corporations and Health Maintenance Organizations that require that when a health insurance plan provides for payment of 'surgical first' assisting benefits, these are to be construed as providing for the payment of a registered nurse. In addition, the bill requires DPH to prepare a report on care by registered first nurse assistants and their effect on the quality of care for patients.

HD1631 - An Act relative to alcohol sales on Thanksgiving

Sponsor:

Rep. David Paul Linsky (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:33 to repeal the existing statutory prohibition on sales of alcoholic beverages before noon on Thanksgiving Day.

HD1632 - An Act to remove HCA real estate barriers to equitable participation in the cannabis industry

Sponsor:

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 94G:4 governing the sale of recreational marijuana to direct the Cannabis Control Commission to establish procedures allowing municipalities to enter into host community agreements with social equity businesses and economic empowerment priority applicants without requiring a signed lease or real estate letter of intent.

HD1650 - An Act providing a stipend for first justices and regional administrative justices

Sponsor:

Rep. David Paul Linsky (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 211B:4 regarding salaries of the justices of the Trial Court, by granting an annual stipend of $2,500 to justices servicing as a first justice or as a regional administrative justice.

HD1655 - An Act relative to the financial health of violence survivors

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1656 - An Act relative to bodily autonomy and family integrity

Sponsor:

Rep. Justin Thurber (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1658 - An Act relative to the closing of hospital essential services

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Kushmerek (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:51G relative to the licensing of acute care hospitals; requires hospitals to provide at least one year's notice to the Department of Public Health of a proposed closure or discontinuation of service and at least 30 days notice of the proposed closure or discontinuance of an essential health service; requires hospitals to inform its patient and family council, each staff member, every labor organization that represents the hospital's workforce, the members of the General Court who represent the district in which the hospital is located, as well as certain local officials; additionally requires the hospital to notify DPH of any community engagement and planning which has already occurred; requires initial notice to include evidence of support or non-opposition to the proposed change from each municipality to which it provides the service as a health care resource, directs DPH to determine whether any such discontinued services are necessary for preserving access and health status in the hospital's service area, in which case the hospital must submit a service plan to DPH; instructs the Attorney General is to seek an injunction in cases where hospital executes a plan to discontinue an essential health service without DPH approval.

HD1673 - An Act relative to veteran health, opportunity, notification, observance and respect

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R)

Summary:

Directs the Commissioner of Public Health to develop information to advise veterans exposed to open burn pits; directs the Commissioner of Veterans' Services to contact any known veteran who may be eligible to participate in the federal Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry; establishes the National Guard family education program to allow for National Guard members to share tuition credits with dependents; declares state holidays for the anniversaries of the founding of the United States Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard; prohibits the publication by municipalities of identifying information for veterans owing taxes; requires funeral director provide information to veterans on funeral and burial benefits available to them; authorizes veterans' organizations to hold limits slot machine licenses; regulates the operation of those slot machines; directs UMass Medical School to develop continuing education for counselors on mental health needs specific to service members and veterans; establishes a special commission for the commemoration of Deborah Samson; establishes a veteran equality review board to award veterans benefits to veterans discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

HD1683 - An Act reforming juvenile offender law

Sponsor:

Rep. Russell E. Holmes (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 119:52 to extend the age of delinquent children and youthful offenders to 19; amends GL 119:72B, regarding minors convicted of murder, to apply the existing provisions to youthful offenders age 16 through 19 and direct younger offenders to youth court; enumerates conditions for why offenders incarcerated under the section may be barred programming and treatment; eliminates the existing provision for psychological evaluation of alleged delinquent offenders in GL 123:15; enacts a new section into GL Chapter 123 setting forth procedures specifically for the evaluation of an alleged delinquent offender's competence; provides for dismissal of cases with prejudice and the initiation of civil commitment proceeding if competence is not attain within certain lengths of time for misdemeanors, felonies, and murder; implements a new procedure for granting parole under GL 127:130.

HD1687 - An Act relative to the fair participation of minority and women-owned businesses on public construction projects

Sponsor:

Rep. Russell E. Holmes (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 7C:6, GL 149:44F and GL 149A:8 to authorize sub-bidders to subcontract out portions of their work in order to meet goals pertaining to the hiring of minority and women-owned businesses on projects with DCAMM, MassPort and the UMass and Massachusetts State College Building Authorities.

HD1697 - An Act requiring informed consent for marijuana testing

Sponsor:

Rep. Russell E. Holmes (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 70I to GL Chapter 111 prohibiting hospitals, physicians, or other medical providers from test any individual for the presence of cannabis or THC without the individual’s written informed consent; additionally prohibits disclosing the results of the test, or identifying the subject of such tests, without the individual’s written informed consent.

HD1720 - An Act relative to the electrification of new and substantially remodeled or rehabilitated

Sponsor:

Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 96A to GL Chapter 143 to mandate that all newly constructed or substantially remodeled buildings with a residential dwelling unit use electricity instead of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, cooking, and drying clothes; targets net 0 carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050 for all biolabs and hospitals and outlines policies to reach goal; directs Department of Energy Resources to enforce regulations; takes effect January 1, 2025.

HD1732 - An Act protecting patients and healthcare workers from exposure to surgical smoke

Sponsor:

Rep. Jim Hawkins (D)

Summary:

Adds new provisions to GL c.111 (Public Health) that requires all hospitals and freestanding ambulatory surgical facilities to adopt policies to ensure the elimination of surgical smoke by use of a smoke evacuation system for any procedure that generates surgical smoke. “Surgical smoke” is defined as the by-product, including surgical plume, smoke plume, bio-aerosols, laser-generated airborne contaminants, and other lung-damaging dust, that results from contact with tissue by an energy generating device. Any hospital or freestanding ambulatory surgical facility that violates these provisions is to be punished by a fine of not less than $500 for each violation.

HD1738 - An Act concerning the cardiac health of children and student athletes

Sponsor:

Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1759 - An Act to protect the independence of clinical decision making

Sponsor:

Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1773 - An Act relative to emergency medical services oversight

Sponsor:

Rep. Kathleen LaNatra (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 111C (Emergency Medical Services System) that modify complaint procedures for emergency medical service providers and explore sustainable funding sources to support emergency medical services infrastructure. In particular: Directs the Council to assist in coordinating the efforts of all persons and agencies in the state concerned with the EMS system and to provide recommendations on developing and implementing changes where needed; Requires DPH to establish and implement procedures for handling complaints against individuals certified, licensed, designated, or otherwise approved under Chapter 111C; Requires that procedures, including complaint forms, are to be made available on the Office of Emergency Services website; Requires DPH will to investigate every complaint received, except those not constituting a violation of the chapter or its regulations; Establishes that complaints may be referred to other appropriate agencies or organizations; Requires DPH, in consultation with regional councils, to study and recommend potential permanent funding sources and mechanisms to support emergency medical services infrastructure; Requires a report with findings and recommendations to be issued to the legislative clerks and the committees on ways and means by December 1, 2025.

HD1785 - An Act requiring dignity, privacy, and safety for residents in nursing homes and rest homes

Sponsor:

Rep. Thomas Walsh (D)

Summary:

Requires nursing and rest homes to submit a plan stating how they will treat each of their patients with dignity and prioritize dignity in employee trainings; mandates that plans include how facilities will guarantee single occupancy rooms with individual lavatories for all residents by July 1, 2024; provides guidelines on shared and semi-private rooms; grants residents the option of in-room dining at no additional cost; and penalizes nursing and rest homes in violation of this section.

HD1823 - An Act relative to city and town clerks mailing of early voting ballots

Sponsor:

Rep. Tommy Vitolo (D)

Summary:

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 54 to prohibit city or town clerks from mailing or delivering early voting ballots more than 30 days before the date of a primary or general election.

HD1860 - An Act providing for pre-service training for members of local boards and commissions

Sponsor:

Rep. Christopher Flanagan (D)

Summary:

Amends multiple General Laws to require the departments of public health, environmental protection and housing and community development to establish, conduct and maintain a free annual program of education for all new members of local boards under their purview; requires such members to complete said training prior to their service on such a board.

HD1865 - An Act relative to changing Mass Health estate recoup for people with disabilities beyond age 55

Sponsor:

Rep. Christopher Flanagan (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 118E:31 to repeal a provision allowing MassHealth to recoup expenses from the estates of individuals who received medical assistance while age 55 or over; and leaves in place provisions allowing recovery for individuals who received medical assistance while age 65 or over, or who were permanently institutionalized.

HD1866 - An Act requiring the certification of medical directors in skilled nursing facilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven Ultrino (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1867 - An Act strengthening mental health centers

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1868 - An Act relative to elevator inspection fee waiver for non-profits

Sponsor:

Rep. David DeCoste (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 143:64 to authorize a waiver for non-profit or charitable organizations from the annual state elevator inspection fee.

HD1888 - An Act relative to securing parental consent for human sexuality education

Sponsor:

Rep. David DeCoste (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 71 (K-12 Education) to require schools to obtain parental consent at least 21 days before implementing a curriculum that includes human sexual education or human sexuality issues; requires that the topics of abortion, birth control, and laws regarding minors’ reproductive health be specifically identified for parental consent; provides for payment of $500 for each violation.

HD1893 - An Act relative to responsibly reducing emissions in the transportation sector

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1913 - An Act to address barriers to HIV prevention medication

Sponsor:

Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1930 - An Act relative to health care proxy storage and activation

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1934 - An Act relative to pupil dental health

Sponsor:

Rep. Sean Garballey (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL Chapter 71 (Public Schools) and Chapter 111 (Public Health) requiring that children entering kindergarten must have had an oral health examination in the previous year, or within 30 days of entering kindergarten. The burden is on parent or guardian to present school districts with a certification, although the parent or guardian can refuse to consent; the various public schools must report to the Department of Public Health on the level of compliance, and DPH must make it possible for these schools to report through a website.

HD1944 - An Act promoting resilience against the heat-related impacts of climate change

Sponsor:

Rep. Sean Garballey (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1958 - An Act relative to alcohol purchasing discounts

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul McMurtry (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:25A allowing an individual, partnership, or corporation that holds two or more licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to combine purchases to obtain wholesaler quantity discounts; adds a new Section 15G to GL Chapter 138, allowing between three and seven license holders, or a license holder with up to nine licenses, to enter into a cooperative agreement for joint purchases of alcoholic beverages in larger quantities than might otherwise be purchased in order to attain a quantity discount from the wholesaler; prohibits distribution of alcoholic beverages purchased at a volume discount to licensees who are not a party to the agreement.

HD1968 - An Act to create efficient cannabis testing standards

Sponsor:

Rep. Rob Consalvo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1971 - An Act relative to the sale of wines and malt beverages by food stores

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Cahill (D)

Summary:

Adds new sections to GL Chapter 138 (Alcoholic liquors) to allow local licensing authorities authorized to grant alcoholic licenses to grant food store licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages not to be consumed on the premises; sets requirements for a food store to receive a license, including compliance with age verification requirements; requires Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) to approve licenses before issuance; sets licensing fees; sets limits on the number of such licenses a local authority may issue; allows proximate competing business to apply for small business support grants; sets rules for licensees to obtain quantity discounts from wholesalers; requires ABCC to establish a working group to recommend public policies to encourage market efficiency and discourage market dominance.

HD1974 - An Act relative to insurance coverage of mobile integrated health

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael J. Finn (D)

Summary:

Amends multiple General Laws to prohibit health insurance carriers from declining to provide coverage for medical, behavioral or health care services solely on the basis that those services were delivered by a health care provider participating in a mobile integrated health care program approved by the department of public health; requires that medical, behavioral or health care services delivered by way of an approved mobile integrated health care program shall be covered to the same extent as if they were provided in a health care facility and the rates of payments for otherwise covered services shall not be reduced on the grounds that those services were delivered by a provider participating in such a program; further require that deductibles, copayments and coinsurance may not exceed the payments applicable to delivery of the same services within a health care facility.

HD1976 - An Act to prohibit the sale of "energy drinks" to persons under the age of 18

Sponsor:

Rep. James M. Murphy (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD1999 - An Act relative to cannabis research

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael J. Finn (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2004 - An Act to allow non-profits to purchase alcohol from retail package stores for charitable events

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul McMurtry (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2018 - An Act relative to preventing illegal alcohol sales

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael J. Finn (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:23 to prevent illegal alcohol sales by conducting in-store alcohol sales through face-to-face transactions; and prohibits automated or self-checkout sales of alcoholic beverages.

HD2024 - An Act to prohibit mandatory overtime

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Cahill (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2035 - An Act extending simulcasting and horse racing authorization

Sponsor:

Rep. Adrian Madaro (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2073 - An Act relative to public health volunteer responders

Sponsor:

Rep. Andres Vargas (D)

Summary:

Adds a new section to GL c.111 (Public Health) which requires DPH to establish a registry of volunteer personnel (“the volunteer registry”), comprised of people who are available to provide health and medical services to the public during certain enumerated situations. These include: During a state of emergency or an emergency detrimental to the public health declared by the governor; During a public health incident that the commissioner determines demands an urgent response; Pursuant to a request from a local public health authority, healthcare facility, when local or regional resources have been or are expected to be exhausted; To conduct training and or exercises approved by the Commissioner. DPH is to establish a process to identify and credential personnel in the volunteer registry, which may include a requirement for photographic identification and Criminal Offender Record Information. While activated, the members of the registry are to receive protections under the Tort Claims Act as well as to be eligible for worker's compensation.

HD2079 - An Act relative to clinical laboratories

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111D (Clinical laboratories); eliminates role of advisory committee on clinical laboratories; allows laboratories to categorize certain tests as exempt and to establish minimum qualifications of laboratory personnel.

HD2081 - An Act to conform private with public subrogation policy

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section after 70D to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to establish that no group or individual medical insurer or disability insurer providing benefits for covered services because of an accident may have a lien or right of reimbursement or subrogation claim for more than the 'proportionate share' of the recovery. Either the insurer or the injured person may petition a court for a determination of the reasonableness of the settlement and the fair allocation of amounts payable thereunder.

HD2093 - An Act relative to the well-being of new mothers and infants

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 123:15 (Competence to stand trial) to require that when the competency is doubted of a defendant who had given birth in the last 12 months, they undergo a screening for perinatal psychiatric conditions; amends Section 16 (Hospitalization of persons incompetent to stand trial) to require treatment plans for those hospitalized for perinatal psychiatric conditions be made in consultation with an expert in reproductive psychiatry. Enacts a new section into GL 123 to allow for outpatient treatment for persons hospitalized under Section 16; requires persons found incompetent or not guilty by reason of mental illness, for offenses such as murder or involving bodily harm, be confined in a state hospital for at least 180 days prior to being granted outpatient status; requires notice to the prosecutor, defense counsel, and victim prior to the granting of outpatient status; directs DMH to appoint a community program director to coordinate the process; sets forth further procedure for the granting of outpatient status; limits outpatient status to one year, with a hearing for discharge or renewal; sets forth a procedure fro revocation of the status; requires court approval to re-grant status after revocation; prohibits persons granted outpatient status from leaving the state without written approval from the committing court. Directs state hospitals and treatment facilities to report to the commissioner on the cost of the program by January 1 each year, beginning in 2022; directs the chief justice of the Trial Court to report to the commissioner on reoffense rates under the program on the same schedule; directs DMH to conduct annual evaluations of the program and directs the department to set data gathering standards; immunizes administrators and treatment staff under the program from liability for crimes committed by persons under the program.

HD2103 - An Act assuring that polling places are accessible to elderly and physically challenged voters

Sponsor:

Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 35W to GL Chapter 10 establishing the Polling Location Accessibility Fund to promote improved involvement in the electoral process by physically challenged and elderly individuals; directs the state secretary of establish a grant program financed by the Fund to assist cities and towns with local initiatives to make polling locations more accommodating to elderly and physically challenged voters.

HD2119 - An Act addressing unfair business practices in health care

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2122 - An Act relative to health equity and community health workers

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2124 - An Act providing safeguards for home healthcare workers

Sponsor:

Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 243 to GL Chapter 111 (Pubic Health) to require any home healthcare employer to provide annual comprehensive workplace safety training to all home healthcare workers. Employee training must include methods of reporting to appropriate public safety officials, bodies or agencies and processes necessary for the filing of criminal charges. In addition, each healthcare employer must develop and implement a program to minimize the danger of workplace violence to home healthcare workers; prior to the provision of services, a home healthcare employer must conduct a safety assessment of the venue; must provide home healthcare workers with cellular phones or other two-way communication devices and hand-held alarms or noise devices for use during home healthcare visits; home healthcare workers will be permitted refuse to do provide services in any situation where the home healthcare worker has (i) where possible, requested a home healthcare employer to eliminate the danger previously and (ii) genuinely believes an imminent danger exists; and allows home health care agencies to be fined $2,000 for each violation, if one occurs. Adds a new Section 52F to GL Chapter 149 (Labor and Industries) requiring home healthcare employers to permit home healthcare workers to take up to 7 days of paid leave from work in any 12 month period if: (i) the home healthcare worker is a victim of an assault or assault and battery which occurred in the line of duty and (ii) the home healthcare worker uses the leave to seek or obtain victim services or legal assistance.

HD2146 - An Act relative to protecting public health and reducing health care costs

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 23A to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to require the Department of Public Health create an assessment tool to quantify the health impacts and costs of emissions associated with grid electricity and delivered fuel; sets forth several design elements of the tool; requires the Department to submit the tool to the legislature and the Administration within 12 months of the effective date of this Act and to update it every three years thereafter.

HD2148 - An Act reducing emergency department boarding

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2149 - An Act ending unnecessary hospitalizations

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2178 - An Act to strengthen the control of contagious and infectious diseases in the Commonwealth

Sponsor:

Rep. Mindy Domb (D)

Summary:

Authorizes the Commissioner of Public Health to designate contagious and infectious diseases of heightened public health importance; prohibits insurance plans, health coverage, and medical assistance and medical benefit programs from charging cost sharing or requiring utilization review for any health care service for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease designated as a contagious or infectious disease of heightened public importance.

HD2183 - An Act relative to the prescription monitoring program

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Directs the Department of Public Health to establish a way to monitor the administration of opioid maintenance treatment in the existing electronic prescription monitoring program under GL 94C:24A, to enable licensed professionals to see prior and current prescriptions; requires all opioid treatment programs to give individuals entering their program a form which provides consent for release of information; requires the form to note that consent is not mandatory for treatment.

HD2184 - An Act regulating body art

Sponsor:

Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D)

Summary:

Adds new GL Chapter 111O (Regulation of Body Art), for the purpose of comprehensively regulating the body art industry; defines body piercing as the piercing of any part of the human body, excluding the ear lobe; directs the Department of Public Health to promulgate rules and regulations relating to the licensure and monitoring of persons engaged in body piercing; establishes requirements for practitioner training, operational sanitation requirements, body art facilities standards and consumer disclosures; prohibits tattooing or piercing of persons under the age of 18 without parental consent.

HD2199 - An Act enabling trained school personnel to administer life saving epinephrine treatment

Sponsor:

Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 54C to GL Chapter 71, entitled 'The Use of Emergency Epinephrine in Schools'; authorizes local school boards and nonpublic accredited schools to adopt and implement policies for the possession and administration of epinephrine by a school nurse or other trained school employee to a student believed to be having an anaphylactic reaction; indemnifies such school employees acting in good faith; authorizes the storage of emergency epinephrine kits maintained by a consultant pharmacist on school property.

HD2205 - An Act establishing a diaper benefits pilot program

Sponsor:

Rep. Mindy Domb (D)

Summary:

Adds new Section 2J to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) establishing a Fund to address diaper insufficiency to be administered by the Commissioner of Public Health; provides that monies from the Fund may be distributed to up to 12 applicants for the following purposes: (i) acquiring diapers, (ii) storing diapers, (iii) distributing diapers, (iv) organizing diaper drives, or (v) marketing the pilot program which this legislation purports to establish; sets forth a geographic distribution for funded proposals; requires DPH to file a report within one year of funding said proposals; sets forth the information said report should include.

HD2210 - An Act relative to selling tattooing, branding, body piercing kit or device to an unlicensed body art practitioner or minor

Sponsor:

Rep. Bruce J. Ayers (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 230 to GL Chapter 111 prohibiting the gift or sale of any tattooing, branding, or body piercing kit or other tattooing, branding, or body piercing device to an unlicensed body art practitioner or a minor.

HD2218 - An Act expanding access to mental health services

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

This omnibus legislation makes numerous amendments to SL 2022:177 (An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health). In particular, the bill: Amends various provisions of general that require a health insurance carrier to cover mental health services received prior to the pre-existing 72 hour notification period, and applies this rulle specifically to GIC, Medicaid, non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations; Adds provisions establishing that a health facility must be licensed by DMH if the facility plans to make a capital expenditure for the development of acute psychiatric services including, inpatient, community based acute treatment, intensive community based acute treatment, partial hospitalization program, and crisis stabilization services; By updating the definition of “Licensed mental health professional” by expanding the definition to various MH providers; By including “addiction medicine” within certain mental health treatment categories; Amends portions of GL Chapter 123 (Mental Health) to authorize licensed physician assistants to render certain services; Establishes a definition for “emergency services programs” to include all programs subject to contract between the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership and provider organizations for the provision of acute care hospital and community-based emergency behavioral health services; Establishes a a task force to evaluate ways to ensure the financial stability of inpatient behavioral health units and facilities; Requires HPC and various other actors to conduct a study and issue a report regarding the design of a behavioral health home hospital program; and Requires DOI to establish regulations that require carriers to reimburse acute care hospitals with emergency departments or satellite emergency facilities for the provision of emergency behavioral health services.

HD2236 - An Act establishing a state-wide drug repository program

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Establishes a program under which a donor may transfer medicine (not including controlled substances) to a recipient legally authorized to possess medicine, for purposes of administering it to an eligible patient; defines terms "donor," "recipient" and "eligible patient"; further regulates transfer, storage and administration of medicine; provides that persons involved in medicine donation, transfer and adminisration shall not be subject to civil liability or professional disciplinary action if acting in good faith.

HD2239 - An Act relative to treatment for substance use disorder

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:51½ (Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment) to authorize an attending physician, if a person has received a substance abuse evaluation and returns to an acute care hospital or emergency satellite facility within seven days of receipt of such evaluation suffering from an opiate-related overdose or has recently been administered naloxone, to use restraints and to apply for the treatment of such person for a 3-day period at an authorized facility.

HD2240 - An Act relative to substance use disorder evaluations

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:51½ (Substance Abuse Evaluation and Treatment) to require the Department of Mental Health to include in its annual report to the legislature on the frequency and location of substance abuse evaluations the number of persons who receive such an evaluation and returned to an acute care facility within the same calendar year for treatment related to an opioid overdose.

HD2250 - An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

HD2254 - An Act relative to rent escrow

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 239:8A relative to rent withholdings in the chapter on Summary Process for Possession of Land by establishing that if the originally scheduled trial date is continued for any reason, upon motion of any party, the court may require the tenant or occupant intending to deposit with the clerk of the court, the plaintiff’s attorney or other secure depository the amount due for use and occupancy each month or due upon the frequency required pursuant to the rental agreement (with certain exceptions). If a tenant or occupant fails to comply with an order requiring deposit, the court must order the matter to be scheduled for bench trial at the earliest date available and make such further orders as the court deems just.

HD2269 - An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and ensuring for a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 149:26 (Employment in Public Works) to set a schedule by which an increasing amount of employment in public works shall be performed by apprentices in bona fide apprentice training programs.

HD2272 - An Act relative to the establishment of a veterans research trust fund

Sponsor:

Rep. Sean Reid (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2274 - An Act relative to safe patient handling and mobility in certain health facilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Requires all health care facilities, including hospitals, teaching hospitals, acute care rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, and long term care facilities, to establish safe patient handling and mobility committees; directs the committees to design and recommend the process for implementing a safe patient handling and mobility program and to oversee the implementation of the program; requires at least half the members of the committee to be non-managerial employees who provide direct care to patients, including nurses, certified nursing assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, maintenance staff and infection control employees; requires adoption of safe patient handling and mobility programs by December 1, 2022; defines components of the program, including analysis of risk injury, to both patients and caregivers, evaluation of ergonomic guidelines, development of safety policies, inventory of necessary equipment, and training; requires facilities to obtain necessary equipment by December 31, 2023; requires the department of public health to ensure all health care facilities have such programs in place.

HD2278 - An Act to modify the revenue requirements for smoking bars

Sponsor:

Rep. Francisco Paulino (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2302 - An Act relative to right of entry to prevent environmental violations

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2326 - An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul J. Donato (D)

Summary:

Adds provisions to GL c.111 (Public Health) that prohibit a health care provider from charging, billing or collecting a facility fee except for (1) services provided on a hospital’s campus, (2) services provided at a facility that includes a licensed hospital emergency department; or (3) emergency services provided at a licensed satellite emergency facility. Establishes that a patient may also not be charged facility fee for a service that may reliably be provided safely and effectively in settings other than hospitals; if a health care provider charges or bills a facility fee for services, the health care provider must provide any patient receiving such service with written notice that such a fee will be charged and may be billed separately; the notice must be given 10 days ahead of an appointment, or if a walk-in, at the time the patient arrives at the facility; a health care provider that violates these provisions may be punished by a fine of up to $1,000 per occurrence, and may be considered, an unfair trade practice under chapter 93A. Further amends GL c. 175H (False Health Care Claims) by prohibiting health care facilities charging an impermissible facility fee or to engage in surprise billing. Amends GL c. 176O (Health Insurance Consumer Protections) to prohibit a provider from charging for unforeseen out-of-network services beyond the applicable coinsurance, copayment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expense that would be imposed if the service was rendered by a participating provider.

HD2328 - An Act relative to acute hospital and nursing home governance

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul J. Donato (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2338 - An Act relative to medical services

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111C (Emergency Medical Services System) and 111O (Mobile Integrated Health Care) to transfer both from the supervision of the commissioner of public health to the commissioner of public safety.

HD2343 - An Act relative to a public health prevailing wage exemption

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2372 - An Act to create a nicotine free generation

Sponsor:

Rep. Tommy Vitolo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2386 - An Act relative to the sale of zero-emission vehicles

Sponsor:

Rep. David Muradian (R)

Summary:

Amends SES 2022:179, removing the goal of eliminating in-state sales of non-zero emission vehicles and replacing it with the goal of increasing access to and affordability of electric vehicle charging and fueling; and repeals the planned prohibition of the sale of new non-zero emission vehicles in 2035.

HD2387 - An Act to protect a patient’s right to a support person at health care facilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2422 - An Act Updating the Administration of medications in schools statute to include epilepsy

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2431 - An Act to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care

Sponsor:

Rep. Kenneth I. Gordon (D)

Summary:

Amends various provisions of GL Chapter 123 to require that mental health regulations be developed consistent with national standards providing evening and night coverage for hospitals and further makes changes that reduce the amount of time allowed in between the request for an independent medical examination or related hearing and the time at which such procedures are to take place.

HD2446 - An Act to protect little lungs

Sponsor:

Rep. Jim Hawkins (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2462 - An Act authorizing the town of Swansea to grant additional alcoholic beverage licenses

Sponsor:

Rep. Steven S. Howitt (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2490 - An Act relative to monitoring dry casks of spent nuclear fuel

Sponsor:

Rep. Hadley Luddy (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2492 - An Act allowing the administration of antiseizure medication on school busses

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2493 - An Act providing for safe and consensual sensitive examinations

Sponsor:

Rep. Mindy Domb (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2501 - An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2506 - An Act to reduce the risks associated with allergic reactions

Sponsor:

Rep. John Moran (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2523 - An Act relative to benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul McMurtry (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 94C (Controlled Substances Act) regulating the use of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics; defines benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics; directs pharmacists to include a cautionary label on such drugs explaining the risks associated with long-term use; directs the DPH to develop a pamphlet describing such effects; prohibits the refilling of a prescription for less than a ten day supply; adds a new Section 12HH to require practitioners to obtain the patient's informed consent before prescribing such hypnotics; establishes and regulates the membership and operation of a special commission to study protocols to safely discontinue the use of benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics and minimize the patient's symptoms of withdrawal.

HD2540 - An Act relative to end of life options

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

Adds a new GL Chapter 201G, entitled the “Massachusetts End of Life Options Act,” establishing a process whereby terminally ill patients can opt to receive “aid in dying” from a physician; authorizes a physician licensed in Massachusetts to prescribe medication, at a terminally ill patient's request, to end that patient's life; sets out various requirements for patients to qualify for this procedure including the capacity to make and communicate medical decisions, an incurable, irreversible disease that will cause death within six months, and an expressed wish to die. Requires the patient to directly communicate to a physician on two occasions, 15 days apart, the patient's request for the life-ending medication; requires the patient to express their wishes both orally and in writing, in a format laid out in the bill; directs the physician to offer the patient an opportunity to rescind their request, and allows patients to reverse their decision at any time and in any manner; requires the patient to undergo counseling in order to determine that the patient is not suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder causing impaired judgment, after which the counselor must submit a written report to the attending physician; directs the physician to recommend to the patient that next of kin be contacted; allows for the patient, after all requirements have been met, to receive and then self-administer the medication. Includes various precautions and exemptions to prevent misuse of these provisions; establishes criminal penalties for altering, forging, concealing or destroying a patient's request (or rescission of a request) for medication if done with the intent of causing the patient’s death; clarifies that a patient with a guardian cannot qualify for this procedure, and that age or disability cannot solely qualify a patient for this procedure; allows various medical professionals to refuse to participate in this procedure.

HD2544 - An Act to modernize the cannabis regulatory environment

Sponsor:

Rep. Dawne Shand (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2566 - An Act protecting patients from surprise bills related to emergency ambulance service

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul McMurtry (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2568 - An Act relative to notification of licenses

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:15A to require alcoholic beverage license applicants notify all other licensees in that city or town.

HD2576 - An Act relative to insurance coverage for doula services

Sponsor:

Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2586 - An Act authorizing the town of Palmer to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages

Sponsor:

Rep. Todd M. Smola (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2589 - An Act relative to increasing access to epinephrine

Sponsor:

Rep. Thomas Moakley (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2593 - An Act assessing health care access

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Directs DPH to commission a study on access to essential health services, including access and projected needs across the different regions of the Commonwealth, and any proposed policy changes.

HD2595 - An Act promoting best practices in youth athletic coaching

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2597 - An Act relative to undesignated glucagon rescue therapies in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL c.71 (Public Schools) by adding provisions relative to Undesignated Glucagon Rescue Therapies, which are treatments that do not require reconstitution for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in a dosage form that can be rapidly administered to the patient in an emergency, as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In particular: Establishes that a school district can obtain a standing order for ready-to-use undesignated glucagon rescue therapy; Establishes that schools can keep a supply of ready-to-use undesignated glucagon rescue therapy in a secure location accessible to school personnel; Specifies that ready-to-use undesignated glucagon rescue therapies can be used on school property, including the school building, playground, school bus, and during field trips or excursions away from school property; Establishes that after administering undesignated glucagon, the school must call 911 for emergency assistance and inform the school nurse (unless the nurse administered the glucagon), the student's parent or guardian, emergency contact (if known), and healthcare provider about its use; and, Establishes that if a student is injured as a result of the administration of ready-to-use undesignated glucagon rescue therapy prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional and dispensed by a pharmacist to a school, the professional and pharmacist cannot be held responsible unless they issued the prescription with a conscious disregard for safety.

HD2598 - An Act creating pathways toward net-zero neighborhoods

Sponsor:

Rep. Tommy Vitolo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2604 - An Act relative to maintenance of certification

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Prohibits accountable care organizations (GL Chapter 6D), hospitals and other medical care organizations regulated under GL Chapter 111 and 112, non-profit hospital service corporations (GL Chapter 176A), medical service corporations (GL Chapter 176B), health maintenance organizations (GL Chapter 176) and preferred provider organizations (GL 176I) from requiring physicians to secure a maintenance of certification (MOC) as qualifying for credentialing or otherwise receiving reimbursement for medical services rendered; defines a MOC as a continuing education program measuring core competencies in the practice of medicine and surgery and approved by a nationally-recognized accrediting organization.

HD2605 - An Act to improve the review and regulation of emerging contaminants on public water systems

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:160 (Department of Public Health examination of water supply) to establish the Science Advisory Board; provides that Board's mission is to address the potential for adverse human health impacts from the presence of potentially toxic substances in public water supplies, and to establish science-based procedures for assessing the risks presented by such substances and a cost-benefit analysis to determine the practicality and efficacy of operational and remedial actions with respect to the substances; specifies membership of Board and procedural rules governing Board's activities; establishes Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) to review any proposed drinking water standard and to make an independent determination whether the proposed standard will achieve the objectives of protecting human health, including sensitive sub-populations, in a more cost-effective manner, or with greater net benefits, than other regulatory alternatives.

HD2609 - An Act relative to the availability of prescription medication during an emergency

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 236 to GL Chapter 111 (Public health) to require the commissioner of the Department of Public Health to develop and publicize a statewide plan for ensuring the availability of prescription medicines during a state of emergency declared by the Governor; sets forth several elements of the plan, including allowing early refills of prescriptions.

HD2611 - An Act relative to fire protection systems for buildings and structures

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 6, Chapter 143 and Chapter 148 in several sections to rename the automatic sprinkler appeals board the fire protection and life safety systems board; provides that the provisions of the fire safety code apply to all buildings and structures in the Commonwealth, except the State House; exempts buildings for which a building permit was issued before January 1, 2012 from the provisions of this Act; adds new definitions of 'Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems' and 'Fire Safety Code' to the statute; transfers regulation and inspection of fire safety code matters from the Board of State Building Regulations to the Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems Board.

HD2628 - An Act improving student access to life saving treatments

Sponsor:

Rep. Ted Philips (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 71:54B (Administration of Medicine in School Settings) to direct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Public Health to promulgate regulations for the emergency administration of glucagon by trained members of the school staff when a nurse is not present to a student exhibiting symptoms of severe hypoglycemia if the parent of guardian has submitted written permission for such emergency treatment; indemnifies school staff members acting in good faith.

HD2652 - An Act to address state sanitation code violations regarding infestations of rental units

Sponsor:

Rep. Priscila Sousa (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2654 - An Act relative to license caps

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Cahill (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 138:15 (Sale of alcoholic beverages by package stores) to strike language limiting any person or corporation to a maximum of 9 package store licenses.

HD2670 - An Act protecting children from harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements

Sponsor:

Rep. Danielle W. Gregoire (D)

Summary:

Adds section to GL Chapter 111 on sale of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building; prohibits the sale to anyone under the age of eighteen; directs retail establishments to restrict access to customers, have the products only accessible by employee, and request identification of customers attempting to make a purchase; outlines responsibilities of delivery sellers; establishes a $1000 fine for violating this section; and lists determining factors for evaluating whether a product falls under this category.

HD2708 - An Act promoting drinking water quality for all

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Blais (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2727 - An Act regulating surgical assistants

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Blais (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 13 (Boards of Registration) and Chapter 111 (Public Health) to establish a board of registration of surgical assistants; defines duties of board; establishes requirements for licensure as a surgical assistant.

HD2736 - An Act relative to well water disclosures

Sponsor:

Rep. Todd M. Smola (R)

Summary:

Requires that prospective home-buyers be notified of the presence of 1,4-dioxane (a type of ether) in the well servicing the property; sets forth procedures for proper notification; sets a $1,000 fine for failure to comply; establishes liability; and labels such failure to notify as an unfair and deceptive trade practice.

HD2763 - An Act relative to overdose mapping

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Adds a new section to GL c.111 (Public Health) establishing that emergency medical service providers, emergency departments, state and local law enforcement agencies, sheriffs’ offices, fire departments and coroners — when responding to and reporting on fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses — are to record the location where the opiate overdose or overdoses occurred, and to submit that data within 24 hours after the fatal or nonfatal opiate overdose or after receiving the incident toxicology report. This data, although to be aggregated by CHIA, is not individual data subject to public disclosure.

HD2767 - An Act to create a competitive cannabis testing program

Sponsor:

Rep. Aaron Saunders (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2796 - An Act relative to the requirement of fuel gas alarms/detectors

Sponsor:

Rep. Jeffrey N. Roy (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2830 - An Act to prohibit the use of polystyrene foam food containers

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Prohibits the sale or provision of food containers made of extruded or expanded polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam), effective January 1, 2020.

HD2853 - An Act to ban internet tobacco sales

Sponsor:

Rep. David Paul Linsky (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2859 - An Act relative to school transportation personnel

Sponsor:

Rep. Danielle W. Gregoire (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 71:55A relative to sick, injured or incapacitated pupils to extend the “Good Samaritan” principles to school transportation vehicle drivers or monitors; expands the reach of that law from the grounds of a school to school transportation trips.

HD2861 - An Act to clarify the minimum age for the sale and purchase of adult-use products

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Cahill (D)

Summary:

Establishes that minimum legal age of purchase for alcohol, cannabis products, and tobacco products and for participation in online sports gaming is 21 years of age throughout the Commonwealth, in order to establish that the clear legislative intent is to preclude local action, in response to the SJC decision in Six Brothers, Inc. v. Town of Brookline in which the Supreme Judicial Court held that the Commonwealth’s laws preempt contrary local laws only where “preemptive intent may be stated expressly by the Legislature."

HD2876 - An Act establishing the Hospital to Home Partnership Program

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2880 - An Act relative to cosmetic labeling

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Adds new Section 237 to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) that requires any 'professional' cosmetic manufactured on or after July 1, 2020, which is for sale in the Commonwealth, must have a label affixed on the container that satisfies all of the labeling requirements for any other cosmetic pursuant to the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 301, et seq., and the federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1451, et seq.; a 'professional cosmetic' is one intended to be used only by a professional on account of a specific ingredient, increased concentration of an ingredient, or other quality that requires safe handling; a 'professional' is in turn defined as a person that has been granted a license by the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and barbering to practice in the field of cosmetology, nail care, hairdressing, barbering, or aesthetics.

HD2882 - An Act relative to athletic training

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2884 - An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care

Sponsor:

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2889 - An Act relative to the Massachusetts lead law and promoting equal access to lead-free housing

Sponsor:

Rep. David LeBoeuf (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2890 - An Act relative to improving asthma in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Adds new Section 5T to GL Chapter 111 (Public Health) to require the Department of Public Health to recommend that a public school with a pediatric asthma prevalence of 20 per cent or higher develop an indoor air quality management plan; lists several of said plan's objectives; requires a public school so recommended to create an environmental health committee; articulates the qualifications of the members of said committee; authorizes DPH to recommend that said public school purchase environmentally preferable cleaning services and products that are approved by the EPA; prohibits the use of any cleaning product in a public school unless it meets environmentally preferable purchasing criteria; defines such criteria.

HD2892 - An Act to establish a division of indoor environments within the Department of Public Health

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 111 to create a Division of Indoor Environments within the Department of Public Health to administer and enforce laws and regulations relating to indoor air quality.

HD2902 - An Act providing opportunities for apprentices to complete their training and for ensuring a skilled workforce in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Sponsor:

Rep. Ryan Hamilton (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 149:26 (Employment in public works) to set a schedule by which an increasing amount of employment in public works shall be performed by apprentices in bona fide apprentice training programs.

HD2911 - An Act to expand access to cannabis beverage products

Sponsor:

Rep. Dawne Shand (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2913 - An Act relative to outdoor dining

Sponsor:

Rep. Kristin Kassner (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2943 - An Act relative to environmental public health

Sponsor:

Rep. David Robertson (D)

Summary:

Adds new Section 22 to GL Chapter 17 establishing a United Neighbor's Investing in the Truth for Youth Fund to support public health investigations, cancer surveillance and environmental data collection; and requires any findings to be published digitally.

HD2966 - An Act replacing archaic and stigmatizing language for substance use

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2973 - An Act to increase the safety of individuals with disabilities relying on life-support equipment

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:51D (Discharge Planning from Acute Care Hospitals) to require such a plan to include descriptions of any pharmaceutical, rehabilitative or life-supporting technolocy, machinery or equipment required to maintain medical stability, together with instructions for maintenance and upkeep of such technology; further requires, prior to the release of a client of the Department of Public Health from acute, chronic, or long term care from a hospital, the hospital to communicate the discharge plan and provisions for aftercare services to a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse employed at the patient’s residence or, in the case of a client with intellectual or developmental disabilities, residential facility. In the case of a client with intellectual or developmental disabilities, prior to the release of a client from a hospital, any nurse who receives such a discharge plan must review it with particular adherence to requirements to maintain life-supporting technology, machinery, or equipment used in the client’s residence or residential facility, as well as any individualized education program or individualized service plan that exists under the client’s name, and must sign in writing to acknowledge a full understanding of the requirements of the discharge plan, any individualized education program or service plan; further requires said nurse to advise any residential facility personnel, family members, and personal care attendants on the requirements of the discharge plan, as well as any hospital recommendations, to ensure constant protection and safety of the client; requires DPH to develop and post on its website guidelines and regulations as necessary to implement the provisions of this Act and to conduct any necessary public awareness campaigns.

HD2986 - An Act relative to increased data collection

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2989 - An Act enhancing access to abortion

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2992 - An Act to improve warning labels on THC products

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2997 - An Act relative to affordable housing and environmental adaptation dollars

Sponsor:

Rep. Sam Montaño (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD2998 - An Act relative to conviviality and downtown revitalization

Sponsor:

Rep. Sam Montaño (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3000 - An Act relative to chaperones for medical exams

Sponsor:

Rep. Jennifer B. Armini (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3005 - An Act authorizing the town of Hudson to grant 1 additional license for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Hogan (D)

Summary:

Authorizes the licensing authority in Mansfield to grant one extra license for the sale of alcoholic beverages, excluding on-premises consumption, to Jay Amruta Corporation (operating as Mansfield Liquor Market) at 30 Reservoir Street in Mansfield.

HD3006 - An Act authorizing the town of Maynard to grant an additional license for the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Hogan (D)

Summary:

HD3009 - An Act to improve access to family physicians

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Hogan (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:25N½ establishing and regulating the operation of the primary care residency grant program; includes family care physicians under the scope of the program; increases applicant funding eligibility thresholds related to graduates entering primary care from 50 percent to 95 percent of graduates; requires applicants - including accredited teaching community health centers and teaching health centers - to demonstrate either a proven record of placing graduates in areas of unmet need, a record or written plan of attracting and admitting underrepresented minorities and/or economically disadvantaged groups; or a record of hosting their programs and/or clinical training sites in areas of unmet need; increases the length of the residency program from 9 to 12 months to 3 to 4 years; requires resident trainees to work at least 40 hours a week per academic year; requires assignment of resident trainees as primary care providers; regulates calculation of grant amounts for residents.

HD3014 - An Act halting close proximity antennas and higher frequencies to enforce RadLimits

Sponsor:

Rep. Patricia Duffy (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3051 - An Act regulating the sale of hemp products to protect public health and support farmers

Sponsor:

Rep. James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3055 - An Act adding retail drive-up curbside pickup for marijuana establishments

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Soter (R)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL 94G:12 relative to general marijuana establishment operation by authorizing establishments to create retail drive-up curbside pickup for the sale of medical and recreational marijuana, including but not limited to both external and internal curbside pickup; the establishment must seek approval from the town or city where the establishment is located, and be in compliance with all town or city ordinances regulating drive-up curbside pickup.

HD3059 - An Act relative to student heart health

Sponsor:

Rep. Andres Vargas (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3088 - An Act relative to research by independent testing laboratories

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 94G:1 in the definition of 'independent testing laboratory' to allow for labs to have a financial interest in marijuana establishments licensed to do research and amends GL 94G:15 to allow the employment of persons with such financial interests.

HD3089 - An Act to extend enhanced Medicaid benefits to eligible hospitals

Sponsor:

Rep. Carole Fiola (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3105 - An Act to protect pets

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 129, concerning the sale of animals, to require dogs, cats, and rabbits sold or gifted to be accompanied by a vaccine record and health certificate; prohibits the sale of said animals by people or firms not in compliance with certain federal laws; requires the maintenance of records of USDA inspections and of the origins of any dogs or cats; requires conspicuous descriptions of each dog, cat, or rabbit, including the name of the breeder; prohibits the sale of such animals under 8 weeks of age. Creates a right to return a dog, cat, or rabbit if declared by a veterinarian to be unfit for sale; enumerates valid and invalid reasons for that designation; requires all dogs, cats, and rabbits 'released' (through sale or adoption) in the commonwealth be implanted with a microchip for identification; establishes a $500 fine for each violation for each animal; prohibits the roadside sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits. (New draft of SB175: largely consists of new language.)

HD3110 - An Act relative to the sale of liquor licenses

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3117 - An Act relative to hemp and hemp products in the Commonwealth

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 94G:1 and GL 128:116, governing definitions for marijuana regulation and cultivation, to interdefine 'hemp' with the federal definition; substantially amends Sections 117 through 123 of GL Chapter 128 to deregulate the sale and use for commercial purposes of hemp; excludes cannabidinol (CBD) extracts and hemp products from the definition of 'marijuana.'

HD3131 - An Act relative to provider choice

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3147 - An Act strengthening oversight of health care facility spending

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3148 - An Act relative to transparency of hospital and health system finances

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3150 - An Act related to cannabis retail licensees

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3151 - An Act relative to retail alcohol license caps

Sponsor:

Rep. Mark J. Cusack (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3177 - An Act relative to collaborative drug therapy management optimization

Sponsor:

Rep. Christine Barber (D)

Summary:

Authorizes collaborative drug therapy management in licensed ambulatory care clinics if there is on-site or off-site supervision by the attending physician and a collaborating pharmacist, and if collaborative drug therapy management is approved by the ambulatory care clinic's medical staff executive committee designee, or the clinic’s medical director or designee.

HD3209 - An Act to ensure senior care organization quality and accountability

Sponsor:

Rep. David Robertson (D)

Summary:

Establishes a framework for a comprehensive statewide policy on recovering municipal costs for digital infrastructure in public rights of way, including regulation of use of such digital infrastructure by streaming entertainment services; directs the commonwealth to regulate the commercial sale of streaming digital entertainment services, and recover municipal costs of use of public rights of way by such services; requires such services to pay a cost recovery assessment of five percent of gross revenues to the commonwealth; regulates submission of bi-annual financial statements, and calculation of penalties for failure to submit the calculated assessment; establishes and regulates the use of the streaming entertainment fund for deposit of such assessments; requires distribution of 1/5 of the fund to the general fund, 2/5 to municipalities and 2/5 to community media centers; authorizes municipalities to establish separate accounts for the deposit of such funds.

HD3226 - An Act to advance health equity

Sponsor:

Rep. Bud Williams (D)

Summary:

This omnibus DEI legislation establishes a new Executive Office of Equity under the Governor's Cabinet, led by a Secretary of Equity, to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion across state government. It mandates incorporating health equity into the Health Policy Commission and the Center for Health Information and Analysis and certain other health related agencies. In particular, among other things: Sets primary care and behavioral health expenditure targets. Evaluates legislative impacts on healthcare costs biennially. Creates a special commission to address health inequities with measurable benchmarks. Establishes an Advisory Board with diverse representation. Requires annual reports on equity objectives and outcomes. Establishes a Health Equity Zone Trust Fund for areas with documented health disparities. Amends recruitment initiatives to support individuals from priority populations. Requires health equity training for healthcare licensees. Establishes programs for individuals ineligible for Medicaid due to immigration status. Please note that HD3226 and SD1202 are identical, but HD138, although very similar, is not.

HD3235 - An Act relative to providing health education in schools

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Amends GL 69:1D to direct the commissioner of the Department of Early and Secondary Education to establish academic standards for health education; provides that said standards shall be age-appropriate, medically accurate and shall provide for instruction in certain enumerated areas; requires every city, town, regional school district or vocational school district implementing or maintaining curriculum which primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues to adopt a policy ensuring parental/guardian notification; requires said policy to allow parents or guardians to exempt their children from any portion of said curriculum through written notification to the school principal; requires the foundation budget to be re-evaluated to provide sufficient funding to implement said health education frameworks.

HD3243 - An Act authorizing the voluntary disavowal of eligibility to purchase a firearm

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Establishes a protocol allowing individuals suffering from depression to voluntarily disavow their eligibility to purchase a firearm; directs the commissioner of the department of criminal justice information services to establish a list of individuals who disavow their eligibility to purchase a firearm, and to place them on a list after they file a form submitting a request to do so; directs the department to establish the form for the voluntary disavowal, and to make it available on their webpage; authorizes the revocation of gun dealer licenses for selling a firearm to anyone on the list; requires distribution of the form to hospitals and emergency facilities; requires clinicians to offer the list to patients who voluntarily present themselves and who appear to be suffering from depression; authorizes removal of names from the list upon petition.

HD3244 - An Act to strengthen our public health infrastructure to address Alzheimer’s and all dementia

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

Directs DPH to conduct a public awareness campaign regarding the importance of early detection for Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other related diseases; strengthens data collection and reporting requirements regarding Alzheimer’s and dementia; and creates a Director of Dementia Care and Coordination position within EOHHS tasked with coordinating services for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and assessing the relevant training requirements for health care professionals.

HD3248 - An Act to promote Yes in My Back Yard

Sponsor:

Rep. Andres Vargas (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3249 - An Act relative to the community health initiative payment

Sponsor:

Rep. Todd M. Smola (R)

Summary:

Directs the DPH to waive the community-based health initiative requirement for applicants constructing a nursing facility with a geropsychiatric unit who have filed a determination of need to meet the DPH’s de-densifying requirements.

HD3250 - An Act ensuring access to medical records

Sponsor:

Rep. Andres Vargas (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3266 - An Act petitioning for an emergency restraint bill

Sponsor:

Rep. Donald Berthiaume Jr. (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3291 - An Act to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from drunk drivers

Sponsor:

Rep. Christopher M. Markey (D)

Summary:

Rewrites and restructures language from over 20 sections of GL Chapter 90 addressing the definition of and penalties for various motor vehicle offenses; specific topics addressed include, but are not limited to operation of motor vehicles after suspension or revocation of a license; driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances; cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle resulting in injury; leaving the scene of an accident; implied consent to breath or blood tests while operating a motor vehicle; ignition interlock devices; motor vehicle forfeitures due to operating under the influence; aggravated OUI; child endangerment due to driving under the influence; bodily injury resulting from driving under the influence; misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide; manslaughter by motor vehicle; use of a motor vehicle without authority; use of a motor vehicle for street racing; and others; additionally bans operating a vessel on the water while under the influence.

HD3303 - An Act to regulate hemp-derived beverages like alcohol

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3306 - An Act protecting first responders and enhancing access to behavioral health centers

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3342 - An Act relative to seeds

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Day (D)

Summary:

Amends GL Chapter 94C (Controlled Substances Act), Chapter 94G (Regulation of the Use and Distribution of Marijuana Not Medically Prescribed), and Chapter 94I (Medical Use of Marijuana) by striking any reference to the “seeds” of the plants from the definition of marijuana.

HD3345 - An Act to increase safety on public ways

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Day (D)

Summary:

Adds a new Section 9B to GL Chapter 111E (Drug Rehabilitation) to require that, when an incapacitated person is found to be the operator of or in possession of a motor vehicle on a public way, said vehicle be towed away and impounded for for a period of 12 hours; further requires the costs for the towing, storage and maintenance of the vehicle be borne by the operator or individual who retrieves the vehicle at the end of the impoundment period.

HD3358 - An Act relative to crumbling concrete prevention and protection

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3362 - An Act relative to dental service quotes

Sponsor:

Rep. Marc T. Lombardo (R)

Summary:

Establishes a new GL 111:228 1/2, requiring dental services providers to give quotes for costs associated with dental services upon patient request and before performing such services; a patients or prospective patients to waive quote requirements for individual treatments included as part of a series or continued course of treatment; allows patients to file complaints with the board of registration in dentistry if the provider fails to provide a quote; directs the board to file a written report with the attorney general upon a finding of services that were not medically necessary.

HD3366 - An Act relative to child fatality review

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael J. Finn (D)

Summary:

Adds new provisions to GL Chapter 18C (Office of the Child Advocate) that establishes a state child fatality review team and local child fatality review teams to address preventable child fatalities and near fatalities. In particular: The State Child Fatality Review Team is to include the Child Advocate, Commissioner of Public Health, Chief Medical Examiner, and other enumerated officials. The team is to provide recommendations and reports on findings to the government and the public. The Local Child Fatality Review Teams are to be comprised of the various district attorneys, the chief medical examiner in each county, and representatives from various other departments with designated expertise. The aim is to coordinate data collection, promote cooperation among agencies, understand local child fatality causes, and advise the state team on relevant changes. Information shared among the teams is confidential, subject to exemptions from disclosure. Members cannot be questioned in legal proceedings regarding team discussions. Information, documents, and records of the teams are not subject to subpoena or introduction as evidence, ensuring confidentiality. The bill also repeals GL 38:2 which currently regulates state and local multidisciplinary child fatality review teams. Finally, amends GL 38:3 relative to the duty of various persons to report on the death of a person to the Chief Medical Examiner, or to designated medical examiners, by including the State Child Fatality Review Team in the case of the death of a child.

HD3382 - An Act to reduce temperature related illness in the Commonwealth

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Kushmerek (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3384 - An Act relative to health care worker and first responder safety

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Donahue (D)

Summary:

Amends provisions of GL 111:70F relative to HIV testing; entitles first responders, including healthcare providers, police officers, fire officials, prison guards, or other public officers acting in the line of duty, who come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids, to HIV test results, regardless of whether the patient or tested person provides consent.

HD3397 - An Act to modernize the Massachusetts medical marijuana program

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3398 - An Act regarding consistent care for addiction rooted in evidence

Sponsor:

Rep. Mindy Domb (D)

Summary:

Amends several sections of GL Chapter 127 (Prisons); provides new definition for "medication for addiction treatment"; requires that newly-admitted prisoners be given a physical examination within 24 hours of admission which includes examination for addiction; requires all correctional facilities to offer medication for addiction treatment; requires the establishment of a medically appropriate re-entry treatment plan for the detainee or prisoner in a state or county facility within 120 days of expected discharge; imposes reporting requirements on state and county corrections officers; requires assessments of all prisoners in state and county correctional facilities within 30 days of passage of legislation; repeals 2018 session law on medication-assisted treatment.

HD3414 - An Act amending successor supplier laws

Sponsor:

Rep. John J. Mahoney (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3429 - An Act relative to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael J. Finn (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3440 - An Act banning artificial fluoridation schemes

Sponsor:

Rep. Justin Thurber (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3455 - An Act relative to fluoride in water warnings

Sponsor:

Rep. Justin Thurber (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3463 - An Act relative to primary care access

Sponsor:

Rep. Greg Schwartz (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3498 - An Act relative to patient access to certain health care services

Sponsor:

Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3502 - An Act requiring health care employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence

Sponsor:

Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3504 - An Act promoting the proper disposal of miniatures

Sponsor:

Rep. Nicholas A. Boldyga (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3511 - An Act to increase patient access to certain health care services

Sponsor:

Rep. Nicholas A. Boldyga (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3520 - An Act relative to the sale of malt beverages produced by a pub brewery

Sponsor:

Rep. Jonathan D. Zlotnik (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3525 - An Act relative to fentanyl testing

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3533 - An Act relative to medical health and fitness facilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Paul McMurtry (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3534 - An Act relative to PANDAS/PANS screening in medical/clinical settings

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3539 - An Act known as "Drug Test Consent Bill" aka "Christina's Law"

Sponsor:

Rep. Colleen M. Garry (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3570 - An Act including Krabbe Disease in newborn screening

Sponsor:

Rep. Colleen M. Garry (D)

Summary:

Amends the provisions of GL 6A:18AA and the requirement that EOHHS develop a secure common application portal for individuals to simultaneously apply for state-administered needs-based benefits and services, by adding veteran’s benefits to the type of benefits which must be included in the portal.

HD3572 - An Act establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund

Sponsor:

Rep. Greg Schwartz (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3581 - An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Donaghue (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3583 - An Act to ensure affordable prescription medications through accountability standards

Sponsor:

Rep. Christine Barber (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3584 - An Act relative to hospital profit and fairness

Sponsor:

Rep. James J. O'Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3588 - An Act for cannabis market modernization

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3597 - An Act protecting drinking water quality in private wells

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Blais (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3603 - An Act protecting public drinking water by further regulating solid waste disposal facilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Michelle DuBois (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3609 - An Act for healthy kids, healthy futures

Sponsor:

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3613 - An Act relative to termination of sales to wholesalers by suppliers of alcoholic beverages

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael J. Moran (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3625 - An Act relative to solid waste byproduct management and control

Sponsor:

Rep. Jessica Giannino (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3627 - An Act relative to toxic air contaminant reduction

Sponsor:

Rep. Jessica Giannino (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3633 - An Act relative to the protection of medical exemptions for immunizations for school attendance

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Soter (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3637 - An Act relative to the sale of zero-emission vehicles

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Soter (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3643 - An Act relative to raising the standalone cap for marijuana establishments

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Soter (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3661 - An Act relative to Massachusetts primary care for you

Sponsor:

Rep. Rich Haggerty (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3662 - An Act relative to diabetes prevention

Sponsor:

Rep. Rich Haggerty (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3683 - An Act relative to on-site sewage disposal systems

Sponsor:

Rep. James Arciero (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3695 - An Act to strengthen the Commonwealth's strategic preparedness stockpiles

Sponsor:

Rep. Rich Haggerty (D)

Summary:

Adds new section 5T to GL Chapter 111, directing the DPH to establish a permanent emergency stockpile of strategic emergency readiness supplies, including PPE, medications, and testing kits; requires the DPH to conduct demand planning and stockpile modelling for three separate stockpiles in the Commonwealth: healthcare settings, education settings, and the general public; and mandates that the DPH report its findings from demand planning and stockpile modeling within one year of passage and reassess every two years thereafter.

HD3719 - An Act supporting survivors through financial assistance

Sponsor:

Rep. Sally Kerans (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3722 - An Act expanding access to legal, regulated cannabis delivery

Sponsor:

Rep. Mike Connolly (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3740 - An Act to clarify host community agreement retroactivity

Sponsor:

Rep. David M. Rogers (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3750 - An Act relative to AI health communications and informed patient consent

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3753 - An Act prohibiting the mistreatment of birds

Sponsor:

Rep. Chris Hendricks (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3755 - An Act relative to the operation of crematories by funeral establishments

Sponsor:

Rep. James Arciero (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3775 - An Act relative to routine childhood immunizations

Sponsor:

Rep. Andres Vargas (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3778 - An Act enhancing child welfare protections

Sponsor:

Rep. Jay D. Livingstone (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3780 - An Act to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness

Sponsor:

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3794 - An Act requiring hospital to maintain services

Sponsor:

Rep. Priscila Sousa (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3814 - An Act protecting our soil and farms from PFAS contamination

Sponsor:

Rep. James Arena-DeRosa (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3825 - An Act to update vehicle emissions standards

Sponsor:

Rep. Aaron Saunders (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3839 - An Act to improve access to health care for people with long COVID

Sponsor:

Rep. Mindy Domb (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3840 - An Act measuring the impact of long COVID in the Commonwealth

Sponsor:

Rep. Mindy Domb (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3874 - An Act prohibiting the burning of construction and demolition waste as fuel

Sponsor:

Rep. Michelle DuBois (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3896 - An Act providing for insurance coverage for vision screening for children

Sponsor:

Rep. Bridget Plouffe (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3899 - An Act relative to fire safety

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Ryan (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3944 - An Act relative to the sale of zero-emission vehicles

Sponsor:

Rep. David Muradian (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3957 - An Act requiring reimbursement for the costs of providing competent interpreter services

Sponsor:

Rep. Bridget Plouffe (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3966 - An Act relative to the exposure of public safety officials to HIV

Sponsor:

Rep. Bridget Plouffe (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3983 - An Act to improve care and prepare for the new era of Alzheimer’s and dementia

Sponsor:

Rep. Danielle W. Gregoire (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD3995 - An Act relative to ensuring resources and support for pregnant and parenting families

Sponsor:

Rep. David DeCoste (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4007 - An Act relative to certain hospitality venues

Sponsor:

Rep. Daniel Cahill (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4022 - An Act clarifying meningococcal vaccine policy

Sponsor:

Rep. Patrick Kearney (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4026 - An Act relating to threats of suicide while in court custody (Stavri’s Law)

Sponsor:

Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4028 - An Act protecting the interests of patients in the event of the sale, relocation or closure of certain physician practices

Sponsor:

Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4031 - An Act establishing a division of health insurance

Sponsor:

Rep. John Lawn, Jr. (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4064 - An Act relating to sales at certain venues

Sponsor:

Rep. David Biele (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4079 - An Act relative to pipefitting licensure

Sponsor:

Rep. David Biele (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4087 - An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS

Sponsor:

Rep. Kate Hogan (D)

Summary:

Regulates various aspects of “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances” or “PFAS.” These are a group of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds (sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals”) that came into use after the invention of Teflon in 1938 to make coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Many of these compounds pose health and environmental concerns because they are persistent organic pollutants. In particular: Establishes and regulates the PFAS Remediation Trust Fund, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), prioritizing environmental justice communities for PFAS treatment and remediation in water and soil. DEP must update groundwater discharge permits to include PFAS monitoring per EPA standards. Phases out sludge distribution without site approval and mandates a multilingual public awareness campaign on PFAS health risks. Bans the sale of food packaging with intentionally added PFAS and requires studies on PFAS in agricultural and consumer products. Manufacturers selling firefighting protective equipment with PFAS must provide written disclosure. The use of Class B firefighting foam with PFAS is prohibited for training/testing, with mandatory reporting of any discharge. Exempts agricultural land affected by PFAS from certain taxes and requires an external study on PFAS impacts on agriculture. Makes minor grammatical corrections to existing law.

HD4091 - An Act ensuring access to addiction services

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4095 - An Act prohibiting harmful food dyes in competitive school foods

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4108 - An Act improving air quality in airport environmental justice communities

Sponsor:

Rep. Adrian Madaro (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4113 - An Act relative to the regulation of Delta-9 THC

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Soter (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4116 - An Act to streamline patient disclosure requirements

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Day (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4119 - An Act relative to governing private label of distilled spirits

Sponsor:

Rep. Rob Consalvo (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4131 - An Act protecting the rights of older adults and people with disabilities

Sponsor:

Rep. Jeffrey Turco (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4132 - An Act clarifying responsibility for policy and budgetary decision-making in nursing homes

Sponsor:

Rep. Jeffrey Turco (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4134 - An Act promoting infection prevention and privacy for residents of nursing homes

Sponsor:

Rep. Jeffrey Turco (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4135 - An Act boosting flu prevention for seniors

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4166 - An Act relative to APOL1 mediated kidney disease

Sponsor:

Rep. Homar Gómez (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4170 - An Act providing for the allowance of early evidence kits

Sponsor:

Rep. Sam Montaño (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4176 - An Act providing municipalities to opt out of fluoridation treatments

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Higgins (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4185 - An Act to modernize cannabis retail operations

Sponsor:

Rep. Manny Cruz (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4186 - An Act to create efficiencies in the cannabis employment process

Sponsor:

Rep. Manny Cruz (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4193 - An Act protecting pregnancy resource centers from taxpayer funded negative ad campaigns

Sponsor:

Rep. Joseph McKenna (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4196 - An Act establishing a pilot program for access to regulated psilocybin

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4212 - An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment

Sponsor:

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4216 - An Act relative to the permit for removal or transportation of refuse

Sponsor:

Rep. Donald Berthiaume Jr. (R)

Summary:

Amends GL 111:31A relative to municipal permits relative to the removal of garbage by including dumpsters within the purview of the section, and making other technical amendments; exempts dumpsters installed on private property from the provisions of the section.

HD4228 - An Act relative to the regulation of CBD and hemp products

Sponsor:

Rep. Michael Soter (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4230 - An Act establishing a commission to consider happy hour in the Commonwealth

Sponsor:

Rep. Mike Connolly (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4236 - An Act updating emergency management

Sponsor:

Rep. Natalie Blais (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4298 - An Act clarifying the existing pipefitting exemption

Sponsor:

Rep. Marcus Vaughn (R)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4301 - An Act authorizing the town of Cohasset to issue five additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of Cohasset

Sponsor:

Rep. Joan Meschino (D)

Summary:

No summary available yet.

HD4360 - An Act empowering municipalities and local governments

Sponsor:

Governor Maura Healey (D)

Summary:

This legislative proposal covers various amendments and provisions affecting public health, municipal operations, taxation, public meetings, procurement, and other local government functions. Key changes include: Public Health Council: Adjusts its composition, requiring one member to be appointed by the governor from a list nominated by the Coalition for Local Public Health. Open Meeting Law: Defines “adequate, alternative means of public access” and allows remote participation for public body meetings while ensuring accessibility. Procurement Thresholds: Increases thresholds for competitive bids, reverse auctions, and sole-source procurements to $100,000, and exempts specific services and contracts from procurement laws. Public Retirement and Employment: Provides temporary provisions for hiring retirees for critical shortage positions and addresses retiree salary and benefits. Municipal Flexibility: Allows expanded borrowing for real estate and waterways improvements. Permits establishment of cooperative agreements for regional boards of assessors. Authorizes additional uses for revolving funds and enterprise fund accounts. Provides flexibility in tax exemptions for seniors, veterans, and public safety workers. Taxation Updates: Simplifies tax assessment processes for utility companies. Clarifies exemptions and abatements for property taxes, including for trusts and fiduciaries. Authorizes municipalities to increase motor vehicle excise taxes and local excise rates for rooms and meals. Public Utilities: Amends provisions on replacement of electric poles, double poles, and underground infrastructure taxation. Cybersecurity and Reporting: Requires municipalities to report known cybersecurity incidents to a central state office. Fentanyl Test Strips: Exempts fentanyl test strips from classification as drug paraphernalia and provides liability protections for their use. Education and Transportation: Repeals restrictions on funding for school transportation and adjusts procedures for regional school district finances. Local Governance and Administrative Changes: Combines certain municipal positions, extends terms for town administrators, and updates financial reporting. Creates provisions for managing gifts, grants, and election-related funds. Effective Dates and Repeals: Several provisions are set for future enactment or repeal, including tax changes and critical shortage hiring policies.