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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2549 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1187
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
James K. Hawkins
_________________
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 increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol1/16/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2549 FILED ON: 1/16/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1187
By Representative Hawkins of Attleboro, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1187) of
James K. Hawkins relative to the definition of licensed mental health professionals under certain
insurance laws. Financial Services.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1036 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.
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 22 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, is hereby amended by
2striking out the last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 1 of chapter 80 of the acts of
32000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
4 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall
5mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist,
6a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed
7nurse mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed
8rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist. 2 of 3
9 SECTION 2. Section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
10striking out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 2 of chapter 80 of the
11acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
12 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall
13mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist,
14a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed
15nurse mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
16rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
17 SECTION 3. Section 8A of chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by
18striking out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 4 of chapter 80 of the
19acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
20 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall
21mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist,
22a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed
23nurse mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
24rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
25 SECTION 4. Section 4A of 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out
26the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 6 of chapter 80 of the acts of
272000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
28 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall
29mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist,
30a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed 3 of 3
31nurse mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
32rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
33 SECTION 5. Section 4M of 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking
34out the next to last paragraph, as most recently amended by section 10 of chapter 80 of the acts
35of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:--
36 For the purposes of this section, "licensed mental health professional" shall
37mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist,
38a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed
39nurse mental health clinical specialist, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed
40rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.