Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S149 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1231 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 149
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Jason M. Lewis
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
12	12	An Act to enhance standards of care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental
13	13	disabilities.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Jason M. LewisFifth MiddlesexJames K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/12/2025John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/21/2025Manny Cruz7th Essex2/27/2025Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk3/4/2025James B. EldridgeMiddlesex and Worcester3/4/2025 1 of 3
17	17	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1231 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
18	18	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 149
19	19	By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 149) of Jason M. Lewis, James K.
20	20	Hawkins, John F. Keenan, Manny Cruz and other members of the General Court for legislation
21	21	to increase current medical providers' knowledge about autism in order to improve treatment.
22	22	Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
23	23	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
24	24	SEE SENATE, NO. 1401 OF 2023-2024.]
25	25	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
26	26	_______________
27	27	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
28	28	(2025-2026)
29	29	_______________
30	30	An Act to enhance standards of care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental
31	31	disabilities.
32	32	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
33	33	of the same, as follows:
34	34	1 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, within one year of the date of
35	35	2enactment, the executive office of health and human services shall create and maintain an
36	36	3integrated state plan to develop training and education as well as standards of care by appropriate
37	37	4healthcare providers related to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with intellectual and
38	38	5developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting
39	39	6marginalized identities. The plan should include implementation steps and recommendations
40	40	7from the advisory committee on intellectual and developmental disabilities that includes, but is
41	41	8not limited to: (1) continuing education requirements for applicable healthcare providers related
42	42	9to diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, 2 of 3
43	43	10including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities,
44	44	11inclusive of the physical and psychological impacts of emergency department boarding and
45	45	12strategies to support patients and families when boarding is unavoidable; (2) implementation of a
46	46	13strategy for the adoption of standards for improving assessment and diagnosis of intellectual and
47	47	14developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting
48	48	15marginalized identities, for patients during routine outpatient primary care examinations; and (3)
49	49	16coordination with applicable state licensure boards, as recommended by the advisory committee
50	50	17on intellectual and developmental disabilities, the adoption of appropriate continuing education
51	51	18requirements related to intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum
52	52	19disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities, as part of licensure renewals.
53	53	20 Within six months of the date of enactment, there is hereby established an advisory
54	54	21committee on intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders
55	55	22and those with intersecting marginalized identities. Said advisory committee shall be comprised
56	56	23of the following experts: (i) a designee of the secretary of health and human services; (ii) a
57	57	24designee of the commissioner of public health; (iii) two health care providers with expertise in
58	58	25the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
59	59	26including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities; (iv) two
60	60	27patient advocates or family members of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
61	61	28including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities; and (iv)
62	62	29five statewide trade organizations that include the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts
63	63	30Health and Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and Massachusetts
64	64	31Psychiatric Society, and the Massachusetts Psychological Association. The advisory council
65	65	32shall develop recommendations for statewide standards for healthcare professionals regarding 3 of 3
66	66	33diagnosis, treatment, and care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
67	67	34including but not limited to, autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized
68	68	35identities. Said standards shall include recommendations for training of healthcare providers,
69	69	36including but not limited to, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, physician assistants,
70	70	37registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses.