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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2158 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1559
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Edward J. Kennedy, (BY REQUEST)
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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
resolve:
Resolve improving maternal and child health related to hyperemesis gravidarum.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Kevin Gilnack 1 of 5
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2158 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1559
By Mr. Kennedy (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1559) of Kevin
Gilnack, that provisions be made for a special commission (including members of the General
Court) to make recommendations regarding the improvement of resources for individuals
experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Public Health.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve improving maternal and child health related to hyperemesis gravidarum.
1 Resolved, SECTION 1. (a) There shall be a special legislative commission pursuant to
2section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to examine and make recommendations regarding
3the improvement of care, support, and resources for individuals experiencing Hyperemesis
4Gravidarum (HG).
5 (b) The special legislative commission shall consist of the following: the house and
6senate chairs of the joint committee on public health, who shall serve as co-chairs; the house and
7senate chairs of the joint committee on healthcare finance; the house and senate chairs of the
8joint committee on racial equity, civil rights, and inclusion; the chair of the Massachusetts Black
9and Latino Legislative Caucus, or a designee; 1 member of the house appointed by the minority
10leader; 1 member of the senate appointed by the minority leader; the secretary of health and
11human services, or a designee; the commissioner of public health, or a designee; the executive
12director of the Health Policy Commission, or a designee; the executive director of the
13Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women; 37 members appointed by the co-chairs of 2 of 5
14the commission, including: the executive director of the HER Foundation, or a designee; a
15representative of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; a
16representative of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; a representative of
17the Preeclampsia Foundation; a representative of Postpartum Support International; a
18representative of the March of Dimes; 1 member of the Massachusetts Maternal Mortality and
19Morbidity Review Committee; 1 member of the Massachusetts Medical Society who specializes
20in childbirth or maternal health, including, but not limited to, obstetrics and gynecology,
21maternal-fetal medicine, or family medicine; 1 member of the Massachusetts chapter of the
22American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists who specializes in childbirth or maternal
23health, including, but not limited to, obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, or
24family medicine; 1 member of the Massachusetts affiliate of the American College of Nurse-
25Midwives; 1 member of the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network of Massachusetts;
261 member of the Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression, established pursuant to
27chapter 313 of the acts of 2010; the executive director of the Massachusetts association of health
28plans; 3 physicians with experience treating hyperemesis gravidarum, including at least 1 who
29practices in a birthing center working with women who experience high or disparate rates of
30maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity; 2 nurses with experience treating hyperemesis
31gravidarum; 2 physicians assistants with experience treating hyperemesis gravidarum; 2 certified
32professional midwives with experience treating hyperemesis gravidarum; 2 doulas with
33experience with patients with hyperemesis gravidarum; 3 people who have experienced
34hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy; 1 person who identifies as a father with experience
35supporting a pregnant partner with hyperemesis gravidarum; 3 representatives of organizations
36that provide care, education, advocacy, research or other support for pregnant women; 3 3 of 5
37executive directors or directors of obstetrics and gynecological departments of teaching
38hospitals, or their designees; 3 professors or administrators of Massachusetts medical schools
39specializing in maternal healthcare; and 2 members appointed by the governor, including 1
40person with experience providing care to patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 1 person
41who has experienced hyperemesis gravidarum.
42 (i) All appointments to the commission shall prioritize individuals from underserved
43communities. Members of the special commission shall have evidence-based or lay knowledge,
44expertise, or experience related to hyperemesis gravidarum and shall reflect broad racial and
45geographic diversity within the commonwealth. The majority of lay members of the commission
46shall represent the diversity of the communities most impacted by inequities in maternal health
47outcomes in the commonwealth and shall reflect the constituency the commission is intended to
48serve.
49 (ii) All appointments shall be made no later than 60 days after the effective date of this
50act.
51 (iii) The commission shall convene its first meeting not more than 90 days from the
52effective date of this act and meet not less than quarterly until it has completed its investigation
53and final report.
54 (iv) The commission may establish committees, hold public listening sessions, collect
55written testimony and invite guest speakers and ex officio members in furtherance of its purpose
56at the discretion of the chairs or a majority vote of its members.
57 (c) The special legislative commission’s investigation and report shall: 4 of 5
58 (i) Examine existing public and private insurance coverage for all medications and
59nutritional therapies used to treat hyperemesis gravidarum and related symptoms; identify
60barriers to access; and develop legislative and regulatory recommendations to ensure that
61patients can affordably obtain hyperemesis gravidarum-related medications and nutritional
62supplements.
63 (ii) Evaluate existing continuing education and training for mental health professionals
64and OB/GYN practitioners, including nurses, doctors, doulas, and midwives on hyperemesis
65gravidarum diagnosis and management, and recommend strategies for the Legislature,
66Department of Public Health, and private institutions to expand access to these educational
67opportunities.
68 (iii) Review existing paid leave coverage for individuals with debilitating hyperemesis
69gravidarum, including but not limited to Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave,
70Workers' Compensation, Disability Insurance, sick leave, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness
71Act; and recommend legislative policies to ensure that individuals with hyperemesis gravidarum
72can take adequate time off for their care during pregnancy without sacrificing postpartum paid
73leave.
74 (iv) Develop recommendations for the Legislature, Department of Public Health, and
75relevant state agencies to launch public awareness campaigns educating pregnant individuals and
76healthcare providers about hyperemesis gravidarum and available resources.
77 (v) Review existing hyperemesis gravidarum -related research and explore opportunities
78for the Commonwealth to encourage universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutions to 5 of 5
79better understand hyperemesis gravidarum causes and treatment, as well as the economic and
80social costs associated with the illness on mothers, children, and families.
81 (vi) Evaluate existing state programs and infrastructure for opportunities to add
82supportive services for hyperemesis gravidarum patients.
83 (d) The commission shall submit its report, including recommendations for legislation, to
84the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate no later than September 1, 2026.