S 2972

Senate, February 26, 2026 -- The committee on Health Care Financing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 251) of Robyn K. Kennedy for legislation relative to health equity and community health workers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 292) of John C. Velis for legislation to create coverage and regulations for group therapeutic care; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 537) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation to strengthen the strategic preparedness stockpiles; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 538) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. relative to emergency response and preparedness in the event of surges in pediatric or adult hospitalizations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 699) of Brendan P. Crighton and Erika Uyterhoeven for legislation relative to unilateral contract changes with health care providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 714) of Julian Cyr for legislation to strengthen the control of contagious and infectious diseases in the Commonwealth; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 738) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to provide for a medical exemption for manufacturer coupons; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 744) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to group insurance commission procurement; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 745) of Paul R. Feeney and Michael J. Barrett for legislation to limit out of pocket health expenses; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 746) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to improve patient access to non-emergency medical transportation; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 755) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation related to health insurance benefits for municipal employees; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 772) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge, James K. Hawkins, Michael J. Barrett and others for legislation to increases mandatory coverage for addiction care recovery; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 773) of John F. Keenan for legislation to expand access to mental health services for inpatient treatment; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 775) of Edward J. Kennedy for legislation to increase enrollment in affordable health plan networks; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 781) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to medication synchronization; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 782) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to increase health insurer reporting transparency; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 800) of Michael O. Moore for legislation relative to pharmacists as healthcare providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 828) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to health purchasing cooperatives; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1120) of Adam Gomez and Rebecca L. Rausch for legislation to establish a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1381) of Michael D. Brady for legislation to expand access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1382) of Michael D. Brady and Kenneth P. Sweezey for legislation to establish a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1394) of Julian Cyr for legislation to ensure efficient and effective implementation of behavioral health reform; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1397) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation to establish five regional pilot programs to examine alternative models for transport of behavioral health patients; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1398) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to create intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1405) of John F. Keenan for legislation to repeal the sunset date for drug stewardship; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1406) of John F. Keenan and James K. Hawkins for legislation relative to the prescription monitor program; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1408) of Robyn K. Kennedy and Michael D. Brady for legislation to provide appropriate care for certain populations; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1414) of Michael O. Moore, John J. Cronin, James B. Eldridge, Paul R. Feeney and other members of the Senate for legislation to increase access to Applied Behavior Analysis services by recognizing assistant level providers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1419) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to protective custody; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1420) of Bruce E. Tarr and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation relative to the administration of anti-psychotic or other psychotropic substances to nursing home residents; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1478) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to reduce the risks associated with allergic reactions by enhancing the availability of epi-pens; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1492) of Brendan P. Crighton for legislation to provide written materials on safe sleep practices at the time of infant’s discharge from the hospital; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1503) of Julian Cyr, Joanne M. Comerford, Susannah M. Whipps, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the closing of hospital essential services; (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1536) of Paul R. Feeney that provisions be made to address EMS and health care services shortfalls in southeastern Massachusetts; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1572) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation relative to acute hospital governance; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1580) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to ensure access to a resident representative in long-term care facilities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1608) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Jason M. Lewis, Steven George Xiarhos and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to physician assistant interstate compact; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1610) of Jacob R. Oliveira and Michael D. Brady for legislation to assess healthcare access; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1632) of John C. Velis and Michael D. Brady for legislation to provide safeguards for home healthcare workers; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1633) of John C. Velis, Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., John F. Keenan, Jacob R. Oliveira and others for legislation to regulate staff at home health and hospice agencies; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1634) of John C. Velis for legislation to ensure access medical records by not allowing a separate fee to be charged for the transmission of data; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1711) of John F. Keenan for legislation to require all state and county correctional facilities to provide medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2732) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Michael O. Moore for legislation to prohibit denials of certain payments for health care service; Senate, January 5, 2026 -- The committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No; Senate, December 31, 2025 -- The committee on Aging and Independence to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No; and Senate, January 8, 2025 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2972).