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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 713 FILED ON: 1/12/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1308
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Lindsay N. Sabadosa and Natalie M. Higgins
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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 protecting reproductive destiny.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire1/12/2025Natalie M. Higgins4th Worcester1/12/2025James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester2/7/2025James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/11/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 713 FILED ON: 1/12/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1308
By Representatives Sabadosa of Northampton and Higgins of Leominster, a petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 1308) of Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Natalie M. Higgins and others
relative to health insurance coverage for voluntary female sterilization. Financial Services.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1138 OF 2023-2024.]
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 protecting reproductive destiny.
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 12W of said chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
2inserting
3 after the first paragraph the following:-
4 Whenever any physician has reason to believe a person eighteen years or over is unable
5to give informed consent, including when a person is in a state institution or under guardianship
6under chapter 190B of the General Laws, no such sterilization shall be performed.
7 SECTION 2: Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by
8inserting at the end of Section 10N the following new Section:-
9 Section 10O. Expanded Medicaid Coverage for Voluntary Female Sterilization 2 of 2
10 (1) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
11 “Decision Counseling”, a counseling model for providers to ensure patients are fully
12informed about the effects and permanency of sterilization.
13 ''Informed written consent'', a written consent form for the requested provision of
14voluntary female sterilization.
15 “Voluntary Female Sterilization”, any medical procedure, treatment, or operation for the
16purpose of rendering an individual permanently incapable of reproducing performed at the
17request of the individual.
18 (2) Coverage of Voluntary Female Sterilization Services:
19 The division and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance
20organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators under contract
21to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan shall provide coverage
22for voluntary female sterilization even in the event that an individual covered by a Medicaid
23managed care organization or primary care clinician plan has not fulfilled the federally required
2430-day waiting period provided that the individual has completed Decision Counseling and
25signed an informed written consent.