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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1260 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 367
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Carole A. Fiola
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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 to reduce inequities in access to hearing aids.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Carole A. Fiola6th Bristol1/14/2025Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire1/15/2025Jessica Ann Giannino16th Suffolk2/13/2025Carlos González10th Hampden2/19/2025Paul McMurtry11th Norfolk1/23/2025Brian W. Murray10th Worcester1/22/2025Jacob R. OliveiraHampden, Hampshire and Worcester2/6/2025Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.12th Hampden1/21/2025Marcus S. Vaughn9th Norfolk1/23/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1260 FILED ON: 1/14/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 367
By Representative Fiola of Fall River, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 367) of
Carole A. Fiola and others for legislation to provide increased access to hearing aids. Consumer
Protection and Professional Licensure.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4275 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 to reduce inequities in access to hearing aids.
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 73 of chapter 93 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first and second paragraphs, and inserting
3in place thereof the following:-
4 Section 73. No physician shall sell hearing aids or have a direct or indirect membership,
5employment, co-ownership, or proprietary interest in or with a business which sells hearing aids
6to, a person to whom such physician has provided services pursuant to section 72; provided,
7however, that this restriction shall not apply to an otolaryngologist or a nonprofit or charitable
8organization, clinic, hospital or health care facility which sells hearing aids that are dispensed by
9a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. 2 of 2
10 An audiologist or otolaryngologist who sells a hearing aid to a person to whom such
11audiologist or otolaryngologist had provided services pursuant to section 72 shall disclose to the
12prospective purchaser before the sale of the hearing aid the fees for the services provided
13pursuant to section 72 and the terms of the prospective sale of the hearing aid, including a written
14estimate of the total purchase price, including, but not limited to, the cost of the hearing aid, the
15earmold, any batteries or other accessories, and any service costs, and shall inform the
16prospective purchaser of his right to obtain a hearing aid from a different source.
17 SECTION 2. Section 200 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
18amended by striking out subsection (c) and inserting in place thereof the following:-
19 (c) Nothing in sections 197 to 200, inclusive, shall be construed to prevent an audiologist
20or hearing instrument specialist from dispensing or selling hearing aids when employed by or
21affiliated with an otolaryngologist.
22 (d) A violation of sections 197 to 199, inclusive, shall also constitute a violation of
23chapter 93A.