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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1239 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2222
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
William F. MacGregor
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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 establishing a commission to study quality & accessibility to telehealth.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:William F. MacGregor10th Suffolk1/14/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1239 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2222
By Representative MacGregor of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2222) of
William F. MacGregor for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the
General Court) relative to the quality and accessibility of telehealth. Mental Health, Substance
Use and Recovery.
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 establishing a commission to study quality & accessibility to telehealth.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 The General Laws are hereby amended by inserting in chapter 19 the following section:-
2 Section 27. Commission on Telehealth.
3 SECTION 1. As used in this section, the following words shall have the following
4meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
5 “Commission” the commission on telehealth established pursuant to section 2.
6 “Telehealth” telehealth services as defined in section 50 of chapter 112.
7 “Commissioner,” the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, as defined in
8section 1 of Chapter 19.
9 SECTION 2. A special commission is hereby established for the purposes of making an
10investigation relative to the quality and accessibility of telehealth for residents of the 2 of 3
11Commonwealth and to develop recommendations for fostering the appropriate expansion of
12telehealth services.
13 SECTION 3. The commission shall:
14 (i) assess, comment on, and make recommendations with respect to, the content, design,
15management and likely effectiveness of specific policies, programs and initiatives proposed or
16undertaken to expand access to telehealth services in the Commonwealth, including but not
17limited to the expansion of telehealth services and certifications from outside of the
18Commonwealth;
19 (ii) assess, comment on, and make recommendations with respect to, the content, design,
20management and likely effectiveness of specific policies, programs and initiatives proposed or
21undertaken to ensure the safety and quality of telehealth services offered by providers operating
22within the Commonwealth, including but not limited to the qualifications of doctors,
23psychiatrists, therapists, and other employees, as well as the ways in which telehealth is
24marketed and advertised to residents of the Commonwealth;
25 SECTION 4. The commission shall consist of 10 members: 2 members appointed by the
26governor who shall have expertise in mental health or telehealth services; 2 members of the
27senate, 1 of whom shall be the president of the senate or a designee who shall serve as co-chair,
28and appoint the 1 additional member of the senate; 2 members of the house, one of whom shall
29be the speaker or a designee who shall serve as co-chair, and appoint the one additional member
30of the house; and 4 members appointed by the commissioner, 2 of whom shall have expertise in
31mental health or telehealth services, and 2 of whom shall represent a non-profit organization
32specializing in mental health or telehealth services. 3 of 3
33 SECTION 5. The commission shall conduct public hearings to gather information and
34submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Court, together with drafts of
35legislation necessary to carry out those recommendations, not later than December 31, 2026.