Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H2489

Introduced
2/27/25  

Caption

Relative to including inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Marnie's Law

Impact

If enacted, H2489 would amend Section 81C of Chapter 112 of the General Laws, thereby formalizing the requirement for nursing programs to incorporate inflammatory breast cancer education. This inclusion is expected to affect state laws relating to nursing education standards and public health initiatives. By ensuring that future nurses are educated about inflammatory breast cancer, the bill seeks to improve early detection and awareness, potentially leading to better patient outcomes and enhanced public health measures.

Summary

House Bill 2489, known as 'Marnie's Law,' proposes to enhance nursing education by mandating the inclusion of inflammatory breast cancer awareness within the curriculum at accredited nursing schools. The bill aims to address the gap in education regarding this specific type of cancer, which has distinct characteristics and needs that differentiate it from more commonly recognized forms of breast cancer. The educational materials will be developed with input from experts in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory breast cancer, ensuring that nursing students receive accurate and comprehensive information that is crucial for patient care.

Contention

While the bill aims to fill a significant void in nursing education, it could face discussion regarding its implementation, such as the methods of funding for the educational component. Schools may need to seek private funding to support the costs related to this additional curriculum, which raises questions about the sustainability and consistency of the program across different institutions. Moreover, as with any legislative measure focusing on healthcare education, there may be differing opinions on the priority of this specific educational content relative to other educational needs in nursing programs.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.