Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S1574 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/27/2025

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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2037       FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1574
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Paul W. Mark
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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 preserving access to hospital services.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Paul W. MarkBerkshire, Hampden, Franklin and 
Hampshire
Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk2/27/2025 1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2037       FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1574
By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1574) of Paul W. Mark and Michael 
D. Brady for legislation to preserve access to hospital services. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1406 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 preserving access to hospital services.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 111 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition is hereby 
2amended by adding at the end of section 51G the following new section:
3 (7) The department, in conjunction with other state departments or agencies, shall 
4promulgate regulations creating a process for state receivership for any hospital or free-standing 
5clinic that provides essential health services and (a) closes without providing the required 90-day 
6notice or (b) closes a hospital or free-standing clinic following a determination by the department 
7that closure would constitute a discontinuation of services necessary for preserving access and 
8health status in the hospital or free-standing clinic’s service area. These regulations shall include 
9a mechanism and source for funding said receivership.