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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1376 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 631
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James B. Eldridge
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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 access to care for serious mental illness.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester 1 of 4
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1376 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 631
By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 631) of James B. Eldridge for
legislation relative to access to care for serious mental illness. Financial Services.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to access to care for serious mental illness.
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. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 47PP the following new section:-
3 Section 47QQ.
4 (a) Any policy, contract, agreement, plan, or certificate of insurance issued, delivered, or
5renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage under section 1 of
6chapter 118M, shall provide coverage for medications used to prevent, assess, or treat serious
7mental illness without requiring prior authorization or the initiation or completion of a step
8therapy protocol.
9 (b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
10meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
11 "Serious mental illness" a mental disorder, as defined in the most recent edition of the
12Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric 2 of 4
13Association, that results in serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or
14limits one or more major life activities.
15 SECTION 2. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
16section 8QQ the following new section:-
17 Section 8RR.
18 (a) Any policy, contract, agreement, plan, or certificate of insurance issued, delivered, or
19renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage under section 1 of
20chapter 118M, shall provide coverage for medications used to prevent, assess, or treat serious
21mental illness without requiring prior authorization or the initiation or completion of a step
22therapy protocol.
23 (b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
24meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
25 "Serious mental illness" means a mental disorder, as defined in the most recent edition of
26the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American
27Psychiatric Association, that results in serious functional impairment that substantially interferes
28with or limits one or more major life activities.
29 SECTION 3. Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
30section 4QQ the following new section:-
31 Section 4RR.
32 (a) Any policy, contract, agreement, plan, or certificate of insurance issued, delivered, or
33renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage under section 1 of 3 of 4
34chapter 118M, shall provide coverage for medications used to prevent, assess, or treat serious
35mental illness without requiring prior authorization or the initiation or completion of a step
36therapy protocol.
37 (b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
38meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
39 "Serious mental illness" means a mental disorder, as defined in the most recent edition of
40the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American
41Psychiatric Association, that results in serious functional impairment that substantially interferes
42with or limits one or more major life activities.
43 SECTION 4. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
44section 4I the following new section:-
45 Section 4J.
46 (a) Any policy, contract, agreement, plan, or certificate of insurance issued, delivered, or
47renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage under section 1 of
48chapter 118M, shall provide coverage for medications used to prevent, assess, or treat serious
49mental illness without requiring prior authorization or the initiation or completion of a step
50therapy protocol.
51 (b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following
52meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
53 "Serious mental illness" means a mental disorder, as defined in the most recent edition of
54the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American 4 of 4
55Psychiatric Association, that results in serious functional impairment that substantially interferes
56with or limits one or more major life activities.