Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S1637 Compare Versions

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2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2289 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1637
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	John C. Velis, (BY REQUEST)
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 wiring medical facilities, nursing homes, and medical training to support safer
13	13	electromagnetic radiation exposures and to support reduction of other environmental hazards.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Kirstin Beatty149 Central Park Drive, Holyoke, MA
17	17	01040 1 of 24
18	18	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2289 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
19	19	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1637
20	20	By Mr. Velis (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1637) of Kirstin Beatty,
21	21	for legislation to require medical facilities and nursing homes to support safer electromagnetic
22	22	radiation exposures and to support reduction of other environmental hazards through facility
23	23	wiring and training. Public Health.
24	24	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
25	25	_______________
26	26	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
27	27	(2025-2026)
28	28	_______________
29	29	An Act wiring medical facilities, nursing homes, and medical training to support safer
30	30	electromagnetic radiation exposures and to support reduction of other environmental hazards.
31	31	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
32	32	of the same, as follows:
33	33	1 SECTION 1. Whereas, physicians and nurses should help prevent harm from non-
34	34	2ionizing radiation (e.g. wireless), mold, excessive screen time, local pollutants, and recalled or
35	35	3toxic products.
36	36	4 Whereas, medical professionals would benefit from continuing education on toxins that
37	37	5cause illness, but should be exempted where inapplicable to specialty or where expert.
38	38	6 Whereas, non-ionizing radiation is significantly linked to leukemia and lymphoma, so
39	39	7reducing such exposures should be a part of treatment and insurance coverage.
40	40	8 Whereas, medical providers and nursing homes should progressively limit non-ionizing
41	41	9radiation technology exposures as part of quality control measures, because numerous peer- 2 of 24
42	42	10reviewed studies demonstrate such exposures contribute to dementias, cancers, numerous chronic
43	43	11illness, and to feeling unwell.
44	44	12 Whereas, nutritional imbalances can be caused by toxic exposures and can contribute to
45	45	13pathological conditions, such that nutritional analysis and supplementation such as with
46	46	14antioxidants should be a part of treatment and insurance coverage.
47	47	15 Resolved, that the policy goals of this act are to:
48	48	16 (a) address electromagnetic radiation exposures from technology in medical facility and
49	49	17nursing home exposures with medical training, guidance, and progressive limits and monitoring
50	50	18that align with recommendations in the scientific literature and that of expert groups such as the
51	51	19Building Biology Institute and the International Commission on the Biological Effects of
52	52	20Electromagnetic Fields;
53	53	21 (b) update medical training to insure medical professionals in relevant fields are kept
54	54	22current regarding and acknowledge digital addiction, potential toxicities in consumer products,
55	55	23and mold hazards;
56	56	24 (c) update medical insurance to support medical evaluation, treatment and guidance
57	57	25regarding environmental hazards such as digital addiction, plastics, electromagnetic radiation,
58	58	26and ensuing pathological nutritional deficiences; and
59	59	27 (d) to reorganize the disorganized section 2 of chapter 112 only for organizational
60	60	28purposes without modifying content.
61	61	29 SECTION 2. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
62	62	30section 72BB the following new section:- 3 of 24
63	63	31 Section 72CC. (a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following word shall have the
64	64	32following meaning:
65	65	33 “Building Biology electromagnetic radiation specialist” refers to an electromagnetic
66	66	34radiation specialist certified by the Building Biology Institute, a 501(c)(3) founded in Florida in
67	67	351987 based on the German principles of Building Biology.
68	68	36 (b) Each convalescent and nursing home, infirmary maintained in towns, rest home,
69	69	37charitable home for the aged, and intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded shall create
70	70	38a master plan to reduce non-ionizing radiation in the facility and shall keep records of its
71	71	39progress. The master plan, including progress towards completion, shall be a public record and
72	72	40shall be freely available for viewing.
73	73	41 (c) Inspection and enforcement. The department or its agents and the board of health or
74	74	42its agents of the city or town where any portion of a convalescent home or nursing home,
75	75	43infirmary maintained in a town, rest home, charitable home for the aged, or intermediate care
76	76	44facility for persons with an intellectual disability is located may visit and inspect the master plan
77	77	45and such institution at any time.
78	78	46 Any person making an inspection under authority of this section shall record in writing
79	79	47every violation which he finds of the applicable provisions, including lack of progress, good
80	80	48faith, or compliance. Every record of inspection so made shall be treated as a public record
81	81	49except to such extent as the record or a portion thereof is expressly exempt from such treatment
82	82	50under section seven of chapter four, and said violations shall be made public at the same time
83	83	51that a written plan of correction is submitted. 4 of 24
84	84	52 If a written plan of correction is not submitted within the allowable time, said violations
85	85	53shall be made public at the expiration of the allowable time. Inspections shall be unannounced
86	86	54and made at such intervals as the department shall specify in its rules and regulations, but at least
87	87	55twice per annum. A visit made to a facility for the purpose of providing consultation shall not be
88	88	56considered to be an inspection.
89	89	57 The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce the rules and regulations
90	90	58promulgated under this section.
91	91	59 (d) Master Plan provisions. Every master plan shall describe a plan that sets objectives
92	92	60and a reasonable timeline to reduce non-ionizing radiation in the facility. Each master plan shall
93	93	61be designed to provide, while attending to other needs of the facility, the financial resources and
94	94	62attention necessary to swiftly reduce non-ionizing radiation exposures that are (1) harmful; (2)
95	95	63potentially harmful; and (3) unintentional, prioritizing the former.
96	96	64 A checklist and documentation shall be kept of the successful completion of each
97	97	65objective as part of the Master Plan. For each objective remaining, an explanation shall be
98	98	66provided as to why the objective has not been completed.
99	99	67 While additional objectives may be included by the institution, the following objectives
100	100	68shall be required.
101	101	69 (1) Hard-wire Internet connections;
102	102	70 (2) Provide useful, current education to staff on best practices to reduce non-ionizing
103	103	71radiation and implement the best practices; 5 of 24
104	104	72 (3) Reduce and restrict the use of electricity, electrical circuits, and digital equipment
105	105	73where unnecessary and to create areas for rest and rehabilitation.
106	106	74 (4) Minimize and regulate the use of artificial light, in particular that light which by
107	107	75timing or composition more greatly harms ocular health and disrupts circadian rhythms.
108	108	76 (5) Provide alternatives and minimize or ideally eliminate use of and dependence upon
109	109	77personal wireless devices;
110	110	78 (6) Except where necessary for emergency services, remove any antennas transmitting
111	111	79non-ionizing radiation, replacing with hard-wired equipment;
112	112	80 (7) Insure any remaining antennas are only in remote locations, configured for minimum
113	113	81radiation, and distant as ordered first from (i) sleeping quarters and rest areas, and secondly from
114	114	82(ii) daily work and play areas;
115	115	83 (9) To better limit and control emissions from digital equipment, provide a segregated,
116	116	84monitored area for use, and encourage alternatives for record-keeping, communications, and
117	117	85entertainment;
118	118	86 (10) Where disabled antenna exist, provide for services or equipment to routinely check
119	119	87that antenna are in fact and remain disabled.
120	120	88 (11) Meet the following objectives:
121	121	89 (i) As long as any wireless antennas remain and transmit, insure that such antennas are set
122	122	90to emit the minimum of power density possible for the minimum time necessary; 6 of 24
123	123	91 (ii) Set an initial goal to insure non-ionizing radiation exposures in rest and social areas
124	124	92fall within or below the Building Biology evaluation guidelines of slight concern;
125	125	93 (iii) From the initial goal set in clause (ii), set a second goal to insure non-ionizing
126	126	94radiation exposures in rest and social areas are progressively reduced to meet the Building
127	127	95Biology evaluation guidelines of no concern.
128	128	96 SECTION 3. Chapter 12C, as appearing in the General Laws of the 2021 Official
129	129	97Edition, is hereby amended by adding after section 14 the following section:-
130	130	98 Section 14A. (a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following word shall have the
131	131	99following meaning:
132	132	100 “Building Biology electromagnetic radiation specialist” refers to an electromagnetic
133	133	101radiation specialist certified by the Building Biology Institute, a 501(c)(3) founded in Florida in
134	134	1021987 based on the German principles of Building Biology.
135	135	103 (b) Irrespective of all other recommendations for a standard quality measure set listed in
136	136	104section 14, the following shall be required state-wide and included as part of the standard quality
137	137	105measure set with regard to every health care provider facility, medical group, and provider
138	138	106group.
139	139	107 Standard quality control sets shall include measures for assessing, tracking, and
140	140	108progressively reducing non-ionizing radiation exposures for protection of staff and patients,
141	141	109including for useful education of staff. Facilities shall keep public records to show annual
142	142	110remediation efforts, progress, and scores, and shall keep a public posting of scores, including
143	143	111passing score gradations. Unless more stringent standards are adopted by state or federal 7 of 24
144	144	112authorities, which then shall hold sway, the following shall apply as well as the following
145	145	113ratings:
146	146	114 (c) An annual passing score for each paragraph specified in subsection (b) shall be listed
147	147	115as “pass” along with the following terms for gradations and requirements:
148	148	116 (1) “Initial action” is provided with evidence of setting in place the work necessary to
149	149	117meet aims, such as arranging contracts;
150	150	118 (2) “Initial measurable progress” is clear and measurable evidence of improvements from
151	151	119ongoing efforts to meet the aims;
152	152	120 (3) “Initial completion” is meeting the aims where further improvements are possible;
153	153	121 (4) “Advanced completion” is, where relevant, exceeding the aims; and
154	154	122 (5) “Excellence” is meeting the aims where further improvements are not possible.
155	155	123 (d) Non-ionizing radiation objectives include the following:
156	156	124 (1) Wireless reduction. As long as any wireless antennas remain and transmit, insure that
157	157	125such antennas are set to emit the minimum of power density possible for the minimum time
158	158	126necessary and set in remote locations;
159	159	127 (2) Hard wire. Remove WiFi and other antennas transmitting non-ionizing radiation and
160	160	128replacing, where necessary, with hard-wired broadband access points;
161	161	129 (3) Replace. Replacement of wireless medical equipment with non-transmitting devices,
162	162	130with any exceptions noted and allowed only insofar as necessary to address patient needs, on a
163	163	131temporary or permanent basis; 8 of 24
164	164	132 (iv) Initial goal. Set an initial goal of insuring non-ionizing radiation exposures fall within
165	165	133or below the Building Biology evaluation guidelines of slight concern, with any exceptions due
166	166	134to medical equipment noted and signage placed and procedures set as appropriate to prevent
167	167	135exposures above the initial Building Biology goal;
168	168	136 (v) Second goal. From the initial goal set in paragraph (iv), set a second goal to insure
169	169	137non-ionizing radiation exposures are progressively reduced to meet the Building Biology
170	170	138evaluation guidelines of no concern, with any exceptions due to medical equipment noted and
171	171	139appropriate signage placed and signage set to prevent exposures of serious concern based on the
172	172	140Building Biology guidelines;
173	173	141 (vi) Education. Set policies for and staff adoption of best practices for reduced and
174	174	142healthier non-ionizing radiation exposures;
175	175	143 (vii) Light. Minimize and regulate the use of artificial light, in particular that which by
176	176	144timing or composition disrupts circadian rhythms and ocular health; and
177	177	145 (viii) White zones. Develop white zones for sensitive patients and staff respite which
178	178	146ideally meet a score of Excellence or Advanced Completion in all categories of paragraph (d), or
179	179	147where any non-ionizing radiation exposure exists the exposure is therapeutic.
180	180	148 SECTION 4. Section 74 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in Title XVI of
181	181	149Part I the 2021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the last sentence and replacing as
182	182	150follows:-
183	183	151 The board shall support a student rating system of continuing education programs and of
184	184	152educators, where choices exist. 9 of 24
185	185	153 Except where a nurse can prove expert knowledge or the topic is irrelevant to the nurse’s
186	186	154medical practice, the board, in addition to any other continuing education the board deems
187	187	155necessary, shall specifically require continuing education as follows.
188	188	156 (1) Completion of a 1-time course of training and education on the diagnosis, treatment
189	189	157and care of patients with and prevention of cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to,
190	190	158Alzheimer's disease and dementia; provided, however, that this course requirement shall only
191	191	159apply to nurses who serve adult populations.
192	192	160 (2) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of patients
193	193	161with and prevention of non-ionizing radiation pathologies, including of the chemical basis for
194	194	162sensitivities and biological effects.
195	195	163 (3) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of patients
196	196	164with digital addiction or excessive screen time.
197	197	165 (4) Training and education on health and the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of
198	198	166patients with regard to toxic and hazardous ingredients in consumer products, building
199	199	167components and other materials used in homes and other pollutants or contaminants in
200	200	168residential environments. This training shall include a review of mold-related pathologies and the
201	201	169chemical basis for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
202	202	170 SECTION 5. Section 74A of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in Title XVI
203	203	171of Part I the 2021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the last sentence and replacing
204	204	172as follows:- 10 of 24
205	205	173 The board shall support a student rating system of continuing education programs and
206	206	174educators, where choices exist.
207	207	175 Except where a practical nurse can prove expert knowledge or the topic is irrelevant to
208	208	176the practical nurse’s medical practice, the board, in addition to any other continuing education
209	209	177the board deems necessary, shall specifically require continuing education as follows.
210	210	178 (1) Completion of a 1-time course of training and education on the diagnosis, treatment
211	211	179and care of patients with and prevention of cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to,
212	212	180Alzheimer's disease and dementia; provided, however, that this course requirement shall only
213	213	181apply to nurses who serve adult populations.
214	214	182 (2) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of patients
215	215	183with and prevention of non-ionizing radiation pathologies, including of the chemical basis for
216	216	184sensitivities and biological effects.
217	217	185 (3) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of patients
218	218	186with digital addiction or excessive screen time.
219	219	187 (4) Training and education on health and the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of
220	220	188patients with regard to toxic and hazardous ingredients in consumer products, building
221	221	189components and other materials used in homes and other pollutants or contaminants in
222	222	190residential environments and resources for product recalls. This training shall include a review of
223	223	191mold-related pathologies and the chemical basis for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. 11 of 24
224	224	192 SECTION 6. Section 2 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in Title XVI of
225	225	193Part I the 2021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding before the first word the following
226	226	194subsection:-
227	227	195 (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings
228	228	196 “Digital addiction” or “tech addiction” or “technology addiction” is the compulsive use
229	229	197of digital technology, inability to control use, withdrawal from real life interactions,
230	230	198interpersonal relations, and may include withdrawal from responsibilities, learning, or personal
231	231	199care. Specialized subsets of tech addiction include video game, mobile phone, or social media
232	232	200addiction.
233	233	201 SECTION 3. Section 2 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in Title XVI of
234	234	202Part I the 2021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the last sentence and adding the
235	235	203following subsection:-
236	236	204 (g) Continuing education. The board shall require that any continuing education
237	237	205requirements necessary for renewal of a physician’s certificate of registration evolve based on
238	238	206the sum of current knowledge, including current science, and reasonable interpretations of
239	239	207scientific knowledge and clinical experience in order to advance safer treatments, health, and
240	240	208limit risks. Such training shall in all cases acknowledge the actual and potential risks of time-
241	241	209tested and new treatments, shall correct medical myths, and shall introduce more effective and
242	242	210affordable medical treatments for prescription, recommendation, or referral as appropriate, such
243	243	211as, but not limited to, nutritional therapies or acupuncture.
244	244	212 The board shall insure continuing education requirements are designed in such a way as
245	245	213to limit the burden upon physicians, such as by allowing exemptions where evidence of current, 12 of 24
246	246	214relevant expertise exists, where coursework is inapplicable to physician practice, and by limiting
247	247	215expense or excessive demands on time. The board shall support a rating system of continuing
248	248	216education and educator options, where options exist. Except where exemptions apply, the board
249	249	217shall specifically require continuing education as follows.
250	250	218 (1) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with and
251	251	219prevention of cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and
252	252	220dementia; provided, however, that this course requirement shall only apply to physicians who
253	253	221serve adult populations.
254	254	222 (2) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of patients
255	255	223with and prevention of non-ionizing radiation pathologies, including of the chemical basis for
256	256	224sensitivities and biological effects, provided, however, that this requirement shall only apply to
257	257	225and shall be tailored to relevant physician specialties, such as, but not limited to, general
258	258	226practitioners and cancer specialists.
259	259	227 (3) Training and education on the diagnosis, treatment, education, and care of patients
260	260	228with digital addiction or excessive screen time, provided, however, that this requirement shall
261	261	229only apply to relevant physician specialties, such as, but not limited to, general practitioners.
262	262	230 (4) Training and education on patient health and the diagnosis, treatment, education, and
263	263	231care of patients with regard to mold, consumer products, and pollutants, including the
264	264	232contamination of water sources by lead, plastic derivatives, and other pollutants and with
265	265	233provision of resources for product recalls. This training shall include a review of mold-related
266	266	234pathologies and the chemical basis for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. 13 of 24
267	267	235 SECTION 7. Section 2 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in Title XVI of
268	268	236Part I the 2021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the first 6 paragraphs and
269	269	237replacing with the following subsections:-
270	270	238 (a) Applications and board of registration. Applications for registration as qualified
271	271	239physicians, signed and sworn to by the applicants, shall be made upon blanks furnished by the
272	272	240board of registration in medicine, herein and in sections three to nine A, inclusive, called the
273	273	241board.
274	274	242 (b) Physician registration, examination, and fee. Each applicant who shall furnish the
275	275	243board with satisfactory proof that he is eighteen years of age or over and of good moral
276	276	244character, that he has completed two years of premedical studies in a college or university, that
277	277	245he has attended courses of instruction for four years of not less than thirty-two school weeks in
278	278	246each year, or courses which in the opinion of the board are equivalent thereto, in one or more
279	279	247legally chartered medical schools, and that he has received the degree of doctor of medicine, or
280	280	248its equivalent, from a legally chartered medical school in the United States or commonwealth of
281	281	249Puerto Rico or Canada having the power to confer degrees in medicine, shall upon payment of a
282	282	250fee to be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of
283	283	251section three B of chapter seven, be examined, and, if found qualified by the board, be registered
284	284	252as a qualified physician and entitled to a certificate in testimony thereof, signed by the chairman
285	285	253and secretary.
286	286	254 (c) Additional licensure conditions. The board shall require, as a standard of eligibility
287	287	255for licensure, the following conditions: 14 of 24
288	288	256 (1) Computerized proficiency. That applicants demonstrate proficiency in the use of
289	289	257computerized physician order entry, e-prescribing, electronic health records and other forms of
290	290	258health information technology, as determined by the board. As used in this section, proficiency,
291	291	259at a minimum shall mean that applicants demonstrate the skills to comply with the ''meaningful
292	292	260use'' requirements, as set forth in 45 C.F.R. Part 170.
293	293	261 (2) Malpractice compliance. The board is authorized to promulgate regulations requiring
294	294	262physicians to obtain professional malpractice liability insurance or a suitable bond or other
295	295	263indemnity against liability for professional malpractice in such amounts as may be determined by
296	296	264the board. The board shall participate in any national data reporting system which provides
297	297	265information on individual physicians.
298	298	266 (3) Social Security Act compliance. The board shall require as a condition of granting or
299	299	267renewing a physician's certificate of registration, that the physician, who if he agrees to treat a
300	300	268beneficiary of health insurance under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, shall also agree not
301	301	269to charge to or collect from such beneficiary any amount in excess of the reasonable charge for
302	302	270that service as determined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. The
303	303	271board shall also require, as a condition of granting or renewing a physician's certificate of
304	304	272registration, that the physician apply to participate in the medical assistance program
305	305	273administered by the secretary of health and human services in accordance with chapter 118E and
306	306	274Title XIX of the Social Security Act and any federal demonstration or waiver relating to such
307	307	275medical assistance program for the limited purposes of ordering and referring services covered
308	308	276under such program, provided that regulations governing such limited participation are
309	309	277promulgated under said chapter 118E. A physician who chooses to participate in such medical
310	310	278assistance program as a provider of services shall be deemed to have fulfilled this requirement. 15 of 24
311	311	279 (4) Certification of any foreign degree. An applicant who has received from a medical
312	312	280school, legally chartered in a sovereign state other than the United States, the commonwealth of
313	313	281Puerto Rico or Canada, a degree of doctor of medicine or its equivalent shall be required to
314	314	282furnish to the board such documentary evidence as the board may require that his education is
315	315	283substantially the equivalent of that of graduates of medical schools in the United States and such
316	316	284other evidence as the board may require as to his qualifications to practice medicine, and shall,
317	317	285unless granted an exemption by the board, be required to present a Standard Certificate granted
318	318	286after examination by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates; provided,
319	319	287however, that an applicant who shall furnish the board with satisfactory proof that he is eighteen
320	320	288years of age or over and of good moral character, that he has completed two years of premedical
321	321	289studies in a college or university of the United States or Canada shall not be required to possess a
322	322	290certificate by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates and shall be admitted to
323	323	291the examination for licensure if he has studied medicine in a medical school outside the United
324	324	292States which is recognized by the World Health Organization, has completed all the formal
325	325	293requirements for the degree corresponding to doctor of medicine except internship and social
326	326	294service or internship or social service, has satisfactorily completed one academic year of
327	327	295supervised clinical training sponsored by an approved medical school in the United States or
328	328	296Canada, and has completed one year of graduate medical education in a program approved by the
329	329	297Liaison Committee on Graduate Medical Education of the American Medical Association. If the
330	330	298board shall be satisfied as to his education and his qualifications, the board shall, upon payment
331	331	299of a fee determined under the aforementioned provision by the applicant, admit him to the
332	332	300examination for licensure. 16 of 24
333	333	301 (d) Reexamination procedures. An applicant failing to pass an examination satisfactory to
334	334	302the board shall be entitled to two reexaminations within two years at a meeting of the board
335	335	303called for the examination of applicants upon payment of a further fee determined under the
336	336	304aforementioned provision for each reexamination; but two such reexaminations shall exhaust his
337	337	305privilege under his original application.
338	338	306 (e) Examination exemptions. The board may without examination grant certificates of
339	339	307registration as qualified physicians in the following circumstances.
340	340	308 (1) Other states and AMA or AOA diplomates. The board may without examination grant
341	341	309certificates of registration as qualified physicians to such graduates of medical schools: (A) who
342	342	310shall furnish with their applications satisfactory proof that they have the qualifications required
343	343	311in the commonwealth to entitle them to be examined and have been licensed or registered upon a
344	344	312written examination in another state whose standards, in the opinion of the board, are equivalent
345	345	313to those in the commonwealth, or (B) who are diplomates of specialty boards recognized by the
346	346	314American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association; provided that any
347	347	315person who has previously attempted unsuccessfully to secure registration in the commonwealth
348	348	316shall be registered under the provisions of this paragraph without examination only at the
349	349	317discretion of the board. The fee for such registration without examination shall be determined
350	350	318under the aforementioned provision.
351	351	319 (2) Canadian and Puerto Rican licensure. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
352	352	320chapter the board may without examination grant a certificate of registration as a qualified
353	353	321physician to such person as shall furnish with his application satisfactory evidence that he is: (A)
354	354	322a graduate of a Canadian medical school, or a medical school legally chartered in a sovereign 17 of 24
355	355	323state other than the United States or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and is licensed by the
356	356	324Medical Council of Canada and by a provincial licensing authority; or (B) is licensed in the
357	357	325commonwealth of Puerto Rico or in the province of Saskatchewan in Canada upon obtaining a
358	358	326grade of seventy-five per cent or better in the federation licensing examination of the federation
359	359	327of state medical boards of the United States. Any person granted a certificate of registration
360	360	328under the provisions of this paragraph shall pay a fee determined under the aforementioned
361	361	329chapter seven provision.
362	362	330 (3) Academic appointments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the
363	363	331board may without examination grant a certificate of registration as a qualified physician to a
364	364	332person who is a graduate of a medical school which is legally chartered in a sovereign state other
365	365	333than the United States, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Canada, if such person furnishes
366	366	334proof satisfactory to the board that: (A) he has a full time academic appointment at a legally
367	367	335chartered medical school in the commonwealth; (B) he is qualified and competent in the field of
368	368	336medicine or surgery; and (C) he has been licensed or registered to practice medicine in such
369	369	337other state or country and has held a faculty appointment at a medical school legally chartered in
370	370	338such other state or country. Application for registration as a qualified physician, signed and
371	371	339sworn to by the applicant under the provisions of this section shall be made upon blanks
372	372	340furnished by the board. If satisfied as to the applicant's qualifications, and upon payment of a fee
373	373	341by such applicant, the board may issue to such applicant a certificate of registration as a qualified
374	374	342physician. Such certificate shall be restricted to the specialty in which he holds his academic
375	375	343appointment and shall be valid only so long as he holds a full time academic appointment. In
376	376	344addition to the requirements for renewal of certificates of registration under the provisions of
377	377	345section two, physicians registered under this section shall furnish with their renewal applications 18 of 24
378	378	346evidence satisfactory to the board that they continue to hold the faculty appointment required by
379	379	347this section. The board may adopt, amend and rescind such rules and regulations as it deems
380	380	348necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
381	381	349 (f) Certificate renewal. The board shall require that all physicians registered in the
382	382	350commonwealth renew their certificates of registration with the board at two-year intervals.
383	383	351Effective nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, every physician registered in the commonwealth
384	384	352shall renew his or her certificate of registration with the board on or before his or her birthday in
385	385	353nineteen hundred and eighty-seven and in every second year thereafter; provided that if a
386	386	354birthday of any physician who shall be registered hereunder shall occur within three months after
387	387	355original registration, such person need not renew his or her registration until the birthday in the
388	388	356second year following the birthday aforesaid. For the purposes of this section, the birthday of a
389	389	357person born on February twenty-nine shall be deemed to be February twenty-eight. The renewal
390	390	358application shall be accompanied by a fee determined under the aforementioned provision and
391	391	359shall include the physician's name, license number, home address, office address, his or her
392	392	360specialties, the principal setting of his practice, and whether he or she is an active or inactive
393	393	361practitioner.
394	394	362 The board shall mail a renewal application to each registered physician sixty days prior to
395	395	363the renewal date. The certification of registration of any physician who does not file a completed
396	396	364renewal application together with the fee shall be automatically revoked, but shall be revived
397	397	365upon completion of the renewal process. The expenses and compensation of the board of
398	398	366registration and discipline in medicine shall be paid by the commonwealth, but said expenses and
399	399	367compensations shall not be in excess of the amounts received by the commonwealth for
400	400	368certificates of renewal or any registration fees under this section. 19 of 24
401	401	369 SECTION 8. Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as appearing in Title XXII in Part I of the
402	402	3702021 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section 47CC:-
403	403	371 (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
404	404	372 “Actuary” means a person who is a member of American Academy of Actuaries and
405	405	373meets the academy's professional qualification standards for rendering an actuarial opinion
406	406	374related to health insurance rate making.
407	407	375 “Building Biology” refers to the building science of investigating and creating healthy
408	408	376building, including with respect to electromagnetic radiation, and in the United States also refers
409	409	377to training, standards, and certifications, such as for electromagnetic radiation specialists
410	410	378(EMRS), such as provided by the Building Biology Institute, a 501(c)(3) founded in 1987 in
411	411	379Florida.
412	412	380 “Electromagnetic sensitivity” or “ES” means sensitization to wireless or electrical
413	413	381equipment that results in discomfiture, painful sensations, or symptoms of disability at lower
414	414	382thresholds of non-ionizing radiation exposure than compared to non-ES individuals. Diagnosis
415	415	383includes clinical evaluation and may involve nutritional assessment, and blood chemistry and
416	416	384genetic testing.
417	417	385 “Non-ionizing radiation reduction guidance” means basic instruction on limiting man-
418	418	386made non-ionizing radiation exposures including fields from electricity, poor power quality, and
419	419	387wireless communications, as well as instruction on where to find further, more detailed
420	420	388information and assistance to reduce non-ionizing radiation exposures. 20 of 24
421	421	389 “Non-ionizing radiation reduction services” means an assessment and remediation of
422	422	390man-made non-ionizing radiation exposures in a patient’s primary residence in the bedroom,
423	423	391primary seating area, and in any room assigned for the patient’s rest and recovery to reduce non-
424	424	392ionizing radiation to Building Biology standards of slight or no concern.
425	425	393 “Pharmacy care” means medications prescribed by a licensed physician and health-
426	426	394related services deemed medically necessary, to the same extent that pharmacy care is provided
427	427	395by the policy for other medical conditions.
428	428	396 “Nutritional analysis and nutritional supplementation” means clinical diagnoses and tests
429	429	397that identify mineral, fat, and other nutritional imbalances.
430	430	398 “Screen time” shall mean the amount of time spent in front of a technological screen,
431	431	399including television, computer, virtual reality, video game, and other electronic device screens.
432	432	400 “Tech addiction” or “digital addiction” means the compulsive use of digital technology,
433	433	401inability to control use, withdrawal from real life interactions, interpersonal relations, and may
434	434	402include withdrawal from responsibilities, learning, or personal care.
435	435	403 “Therapeutic care” means services provided by licensed or certified speech therapists,
436	436	404occupational therapists, physical therapists and other body work such as chiropractic care.
437	437	405 (b) An individual policy of accident and sickness insurance issued under section 108 that
438	438	406provides hospital expense and surgical expense insurance and any group blanket or general
439	439	407policy of accident and sickness insurance issued under section 110 that provides hospital expense
440	440	408and surgical expense insurance, which is issued or renewed within or without the
441	441	409Commonwealth, shall provide benefits on a nondiscriminatory basis to residents of the 21 of 24
442	442	410Commonwealth and to all policyholders having a principal place of employment in the
443	443	411Commonwealth for:
444	444	412 (1) expanded nutritional analysis and oxidant testing with nutritional supplementation in
445	445	413pathological conditions, including to redress genetic deficiencies, toxic oxidative processes, and
446	446	414as suspected based on clinical evaluation and scientific literature;
447	447	415 (2) general guidance to prevent excessive screen time and digital addiction;
448	448	416 (3) assessment and diagnosis of digital addiction;
449	449	417 (4) counseling to address digital addiction;
450	450	418 (5) non-ionizing radiation reduction guidance;
451	451	419 (6) diagnosis of electromagnetic sensitivity;
452	452	420 (7) non-ionizing radiation reduction services for leukemia and lymphoma;
453	453	421 (8) guidance to reduce harm from consumer products with safety recalls, safety warnings,
454	454	422or lax toxin regulation, in particular with regard to pediatrics;
455	455	423 (9) guidance to reduce harm from known or suspected local environmental pollutants;
456	456	424 (10) relevant consideration of local environmental toxins in pathological conditions;
457	457	425 (11) general guidance to prevent ignorance of mold pathology and development;
458	458	426 (c) Non-ionizing radiation reduction services for leukemia and lymphoma, as noted in
459	459	427subsection (b) paragraph (7) shall result in a report dated with initial and final measurements of
460	460	428frequencies as well as specific remediation actions placed in the patient’s medical record. 22 of 24
461	461	429Remediation may include moving the patient to another location, unplugging devices, turning off
462	462	430unnecessary electrical circuits, fixing wiring errors, hard-wiring wireless equipment, use of
463	463	431power quality conditioners, and removing digital equipment. In the event an exposure is external
464	464	432to the patient’s residence or any room assigned for rest and recovery, the report shall identify the
465	465	433external source(s). The report shall clearly state whether remediation has been successful, and if
466	466	434not which additional steps are required for success.
467	467	435 (d) Other than the limits set in subsections (e), (f), and (g), such policy shall be in
468	468	436compliance with subsection (b) if the policy (1) does not contain annual or lifetime dollar or unit
469	469	437of service limitation on coverage for either diagnosis and counseling for digital addiction
470	470	438treatment, non-ionizing radiation reduction services, diagnosis of electromagnetic sensitivity, and
471	471	439nutritional analysis and supplementation in pathological conditions which is less than an annual
472	472	440or lifetime dollar or unit of service limitation imposed on coverage for the diagnosis and
473	473	441treatment of physical conditions and (2) provides an annual check-up supporting relevant
474	474	442guidance from physicians as described in subsection (b).
475	475	443 (e) This section shall not limit benefits that are otherwise available to an individual under
476	476	444a health insurance policy.
477	477	445 (f) Coverage under this section shall not be subject to a limit on the number of visits an
478	478	446individual may make to a provider.
479	479	447 (g) This section shall not affect an obligation to provide services to an individual under
480	480	448an individualized family service plan, an individualized education program or an individualized
481	481	449service plan. Related services provided by school personnel under an individualized education
482	482	450program are not subject to reimbursement under this section. 23 of 24
483	483	451 (h) An insurer, corporation or health maintenance organization may set an additional
484	484	452reasonable limit on non-ionizing radiation reduction services for a period of 3 years from the
485	485	453requirement to provide coverage under this section and not covered by the insurer, corporation or
486	486	454health maintenance organization as of December 31, 2016, if:
487	487	455 (1) an actuary, affiliated with the insurer, corporation or health maintenance organization
488	488	456certifies in writing to the commissioner of insurance that:
489	489	457 (i) based on an analysis to be completed not more than once annually by each insurer,
490	490	458corporation or health maintenance organization for the most recent experience period of at least 1
491	491	459year's duration, the annual costs associated with coverage of non-ionizing radiation reduction
492	492	460services and nutritional analysis and supplementation required under this section and not covered
493	493	461as of December 31, 2018, exceeded 1 per cent of the premiums charged over the experience
494	494	462period by the insurer, corporation or health maintenance organization;
495	495	463 (ii) those costs solely would lead to an increase in average premiums charged of more
496	496	464than 1 per cent for all insurance policies, subscription contracts or health care plans commencing
497	497	465on inception or the next renewal date, based on the premium rating methodology and practices
498	498	466the insurer, corporation or health maintenance organization employs; and
499	499	467 (iii) the commissioner of insurance approves the certification of the actuary.
500	500	468 (2) An exemption allowed under paragraph (1) shall apply for a 3 year coverage period
501	501	469following inception or next renewal date of all insurance policies, subscription contracts or
502	502	470health care plans issued or renewed during the 1 year period following the date of the exemption,
503	503	471after which the insurer, corporation or health maintenance organization shall again provide
504	504	472coverage for non-ionizing reduction services required under this section. 24 of 24
505	505	473 (3) Notwithstanding the exemption allowed under paragraph (1), an insurer, corporation
506	506	474or health maintenance organization may elect to continue to provide coverage for non-ionizing
507	507	475radiation reduction services required under this section.