H4613
An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve the quality of healthcare in Massachusetts by requiring healthcare providers to be culturally competent. It seeks to ensure that healthcare services are tailored to meet the diverse needs of patients, considering factors like language, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic status. The bill intends to reduce health disparities and promote equitable access to care for all residents. It does so by establishing guidelines and training requirements for healthcare professionals.
Key provisions
- Requires healthcare providers to demonstrate cultural competency.
- Establishes standards for culturally competent care.
- Mandates training for healthcare professionals on cultural sensitivity.
- Promotes the use of interpreters and translated materials.
- Encourages the development of culturally tailored health programs.
- Requires health care facilities to collect data on patient demographics and cultural backgrounds.
- Supports community health workers to bridge cultural gaps.
- Directs the Department of Public Health to develop and implement a cultural competency framework.
Who is affected
- Healthcare providers
- Patients in Massachusetts
- The healthcare industry
- Community health organizations
- The Department of Public Health
Notable changes
- The bill establishes a framework for cultural competency within the healthcare system.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Public Health
Cosponsor
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Bill H.4613 194th (Current)
An Act relative to culturally competent and effective health care
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Public Health Status: Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Fiscal Note Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 4 actions for Bill H.4613
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/20/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Public Health |
| 10/20/2025 | House | New draft of H2550 |
| 10/20/2025 | House | Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing |
| 12/4/2025 | House | Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means |
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