Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S617 Compare Versions

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

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 395 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 617
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Julian Cyr
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act relative to applied behavioral analysis therapy.
13	13	_______________
14	14	PETITION OF:
15	15	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Julian CyrCape and IslandsMichael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk2/7/2023Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/7/2023James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester2/22/2023Anne M. GobiWorcester and Hampshire2/22/2023Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex3/7/2023 1 of 3
16	16	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 395 FILED ON: 1/13/2023
17	17	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 617
18	18	By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 617) of Julian Cyr, Michael D. Brady,
19	19	Joanne M. Comerford, James B. Eldridge and other members of the Senate for legislation
20	20	relative to applied behavioral analysis therapy. Financial Services.
21	21	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
22	22	SEE SENATE, NO. 690 OF 2021-2022.]
23	23	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
24	24	_______________
25	25	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
26	26	(2023-2024)
27	27	_______________
28	28	An Act relative to applied behavioral analysis therapy.
29	29	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
30	30	of the same, as follows:
31	31	1 SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the
32	32	2following section:-
33	33	3 Section 25A. The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee of the
34	34	4commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the treatment
35	35	5of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied
36	36	6behavior analysis services. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a
37	37	7chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra
38	38	8whole or partial copy of chromosome 21. 2 of 3
39	39	9 SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
40	40	10section 10L the following section:-
41	41	11 Section 10H1/2 The division and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health
42	42	12maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators
43	43	13under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan shall
44	44	14provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational
45	45	15therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services. For purposes of this section,
46	46	16“Down Syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that
47	47	17results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.
48	48	18 SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
49	49	19section 47KK the following section:-
50	50	20 Section 47AA1/2. Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance
51	51	21issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage
52	52	22under section 1 of chapter 111M, shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome
53	53	23through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis
54	54	24services. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition
55	55	25caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of
56	56	26chromosome 21.
57	57	27 SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
58	58	28section 8MM the following section:-
59	59	29 Section 8NDD1/2 Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an
60	60	30individual or group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the 3 of 3
61	61	31commonwealth shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech
62	62	32therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services. For
63	63	33purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error
64	64	34in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.
65	65	35 SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General laws is hereby amended by inserting after
66	66	36section 4MM the following section:-
67	67	37 Section 4DD1/2. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical
68	68	38service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage
69	69	39for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical
70	70	40therapy and applied behavior analysis services. For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome”
71	71	41means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of
72	72	42an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.
73	73	43 SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
74	74	44section 4EE the following section:-
75	75	45 Section 4V1/2. An individual or group health maintenance contract that is issued or
76	76	46renewed shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy,
77	77	47occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services. For purposes of
78	78	48this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell
79	79	49division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.
80	80	50 SECTION 7. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2024.