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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3734 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1254
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
John J. Mahoney
_________________
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 the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:John J. Mahoney13th Worcester1/17/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3734 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1254
By Representative Mahoney of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1254) of
John J. Mahoney relative to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Financial
Services.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act relative to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
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 29 of chapter 15C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, in the definition of “Disability verification” in
3line 18, after the words “signed by a physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner,
4licensed psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
5 SECTION 2. Section 25 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
6amended by inserting, in the definition of “Pharmacy care” in line 33, after the words “licensed
7physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner or licensed psychiatric nurse mental
8health clinical specialist,
9 SECTION 3. Said section 25 of said chapter 32A, as so appearing, is hereby further
10amended by inserting, in the definition of ''Treatment of autism spectrum disorders'' in line 47,
11after the words “licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner, licensed
12psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist 2 of 3
13 SECTION 4. Section 10H of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
14hereby amended in line 5 by inserting after the words “licensed physician” the following:- ,
15licensed nurse practitioner, licensed psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
16 SECTION 5. Section 47AA of chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
17hereby amended in the definition of “Pharmacy care” in line 33, by inserting after the words
18“licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner or licensed psychiatric nurse
19mental health clinical specialist
20 SECTION 6. Said section 47AA of said chapter 175, as so appearing, is hereby further
21amended by inserting, in the definition of ''Treatment of autism spectrum disorders'' in line 46,
22after the words “licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner, licensed
23psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
24 SECTION 7. Section 8DD of chapter 176A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
25hereby amended in the definition of “Pharmacy care” in line 33, by inserting after the words
26“licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner or licensed psychiatric nurse
27mental health clinical specialist,
28 SECTION 8. Said section 8DD of said chapter 176A, as so appearing, is hereby further
29amended by inserting, in the definition of ''Treatment of autism spectrum disorders'' in line 47,
30after the words “licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner, licensed
31psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
32 SECTION 9. Section 4DD of chapter 176B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
33hereby amended in the definition of “Pharmacy care” in line 33, by inserting after the words 3 of 3
34“licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner or licensed psychiatric nurse
35mental health clinical specialist,
36 SECTION 10. Said section 4DD of said chapter 176B, as so appearing, is hereby further
37amended by inserting, in the definition of ''Treatment of autism spectrum disorders'' in line 47,
38after the words “licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner, licensed
39psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
40 SECTION 11. Section 4V of chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is
41hereby amended, in the definition of “Pharmacy care” in line 33, by inserting after the words
42“licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner or licensed psychiatric nurse
43mental health clinical specialist,
44 SECTION 12. Said section 4V of said chapter 176G, as so appearing, is hereby further
45amended by inserting, in the definition of ''Treatment of autism spectrum disorders'' in line 47,
46after the words “licensed physician” the following:- , licensed nurse practitioner, licensed
47psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
48 SECTION 13. All policies, contracts, and certificates of health insurance subject to
49section 25 of chapter 32A, section 47AA of chapter 175, section 8DD of chapter 176A, section
504CC of chapter 176B, and section 4V of chapter 176G of the General Laws which are delivered,
51issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 shall conform with the provisions of this act.
52Form filings implementing this act shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of
53insurance.