Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S2970 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2970
2	2	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
3	3	_______________
4	4	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
5	5	(2023-2024)
6	6	_______________
7	7	SENATE, October 24, 2024.
8	8	The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill relative
9	9	to applied behavioral analysis therapy (Senate, No. 617), - reports, recommending that the same
10	10	ought to pass with an amendment substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2970).
11	11	For the committee,
12	12	Michael J. Rodrigues 1 of 3
13	13	FILED ON: 10/24/2024
14	14	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2970
15	15	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
16	16	_______________
17	17	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
18	18	(2023-2024)
19	19	_______________
20	20	An Act relative to applied behavioral analysis therapy.
21	21	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
22	22	of the same, as follows:
23	23	1 SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
24	24	2section 25 the following section:-
25	25	3 Section 25A. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” shall mean a chromosomal
26	26	4condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or
27	27	5partial copy of chromosome 21. The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee
28	28	6of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the
29	29	7treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and
30	30	8applied behavior analysis services.
31	31	9 SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
32	32	10section 10H the following section:-
33	33	11 Section 10H1/2. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” shall mean a
34	34	12chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra
35	35	13whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. The division and its contracted health insurers, health 2 of 3
36	36	14plans, health maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party
37	37	15administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician
38	38	16plan shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy,
39	39	17occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.
40	40	18 SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
41	41	19section 47AA the following section:-
42	42	20 Section 47AA1/2. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” shall mean a
43	43	21chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra
44	44	22whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of
45	45	23insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable
46	46	24coverage under section 1 of chapter 111M, shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down
47	47	25syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior
48	48	26analysis services.
49	49	27 SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
50	50	28section 8DD the following section:-
51	51	29 Section 8DD1/2. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” shall mean a
52	52	30chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra
53	53	31whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation
54	54	32under an individual or group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the
55	55	33commonwealth shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech
56	56	34therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services. 3 of 3
57	57	35 SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General laws is hereby amended by inserting after
58	58	36section 4DD the following section:-
59	59	37 Section 4DD1/2. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” shall mean a
60	60	38chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra
61	61	39whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. A subscription certificate under an individual or group
62	62	40medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide
63	63	41coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy,
64	64	42physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.
65	65	43 SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
66	66	44section 4V the following section:-
67	67	45 Section 4V1/2. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” shall mean a
68	68	46chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra
69	69	47whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. An individual or group health maintenance contract
70	70	48that is issued or renewed in the commonwealth shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down
71	71	49syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior
72	72	50analysis services.
73	73	51 SECTION 7. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2026.