1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 839 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1368
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Paul R. Feeney
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to patient identity and privacy protection in waiting rooms.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Paul R. FeeneyBristol and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 839 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1368
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1368) of Paul R. Feeney for
legislation relative to patient identity and privacy protection in waiting rooms. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1435 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
An Act relative to patient identity and privacy protection in waiting rooms.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 70E of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “law”, in line 46, the following
3words:- , provided that confidentiality shall extend to a facility’s common areas and waiting
4rooms.
5 SECTION 2. Said section 70E, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the
6following paragraph:-
7 Providers shall develop and implement a system to protect the confidentiality of all
8patients and residents throughout the facility, including common areas and waiting rooms.
9Providers shall not be permitted to announce the first and or last name of patients in common 2 of 2
10areas and waiting rooms and shall implement a program that provides anonymity such as a
11patient numbering system or the use of electronic pagers.