FACT SHEET: An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure

In December 2024, a conference committee of the Massachusetts House and Senate reached agreement on An Act relative to treatments and coverage for substance use disorder and recovery coach licensure. This compromise legislation widely expands access to opioid reversal drugs, bolsters non-opioid pain treatments, and strengthens treatment for Massachusetts residents going through recovery.

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Senate Acts to Expand Insurance Coverage for Down Syndrome Treatment, Breast Cancer Screenings

This week the Massachusetts Senate passed two bills expanding services that must be covered by health insurers in the state. One requires that insurers provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services. The other requires insurers provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer.

 

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Senate votes to modernize child custody jurisdiction laws

 An Act relative to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act would simplify custody jurisdiction laws and bring Massachusetts into conformity with other states around the country. By so doing, the Commonwealth would be creating a more streamlined process for families going through challenging times while supporting the safety and well-being of children who find themselves in custody challenges.

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Legislature Passes Compromise Legislation Adding 225 Alcohol Licenses for the City of Boston

Today the Massachusetts Senate gave final passage to compromise legislation adding 225 new alcohol licenses for the City of Boston over the next three years.. The licenses would be distributed across 13 Boston zip codes, expanding equity for restaurant owners in historically underrepresented parts of the city and boosting economic opportunity in communities of color that have been systemically excluded for decades.

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Massachusetts Legislature Passes Comprehensive Maternal Health Bill

Today, The Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive maternal health bill which creates a state licensure pathway for midwives and lactation consultants, encourages the creation of more freestanding birth centers, establishes a grant program to address maternal mental health and substance use disorder, and expands the statewide universal postpartum home visiting program. This legislation also mandates that insurers provide coverage for postpartum depression and major depressive disorder screenings for perinatal individuals.

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