S.96, An Act updating terminology and investigative practices related to the protection of persons with disabilities
Currently, the Commonwealth offers protections to persons with disabilities by maintaining a registry of caregivers with substantiated claims of abuse against those they assist, but not all caretaking agencies have adopted this practice. This bill updates terminology, including the name of the commission overseeing this issue, ensuring all relevant care providers will keep individuals with disabilities safe.
S.1251, An Act strengthening prescription drug safety and drug stewardship
To prevent prescription medications from falling into wrong hands, the Commonwealth enacted a program to collect and dispose of unused prescription pills properly. The program is set to end, but this legislation would make the program permanent.
This bill would also guarantee funding for drug diversion while continuing to hold accountable those who profited from the opioid epidemic. The program is funded by drug manufacturers, including Purdue Pharma, as a result of the Commonwealth’s lawsuit against them for their role in creating the opioid epidemic. This legislation would ensure these drug manufacturers fund the program in perpetuity.
S.882, An Act relative to cimex lectularius
Bed bugs are unsettling, disruptive, and expensive to exterminate, yet Massachusetts provides little legal guidance for handling this unsettling housing situation. This legislation sets tenant and landlord requirements for handling a bed bug infestation.
Depending on who first becomes aware of an infestation, both tenants and landlords will be required to notify each other of the presence of bed bugs at a property. Additionally, landlords will have to work to address the infestation in a timely manner.
S.659, An Act relative to removing barriers to non-opioid pain management
Existing law requires insurance providers to cover non-opioid pain management options, yet many patients and providers are unaware of these alternatives. This legislation removes the prior authorization requirement, meaning a physician would not need to get approval from an insurance provider prior to a patient receiving these treatments. This legislation also expands notification requirements, so patients and providers are made aware of all treatments available to them. These non-opioid pain management options include, but are not limited to, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy.
S.657, An Act providing continuity of care for mental health treatment
Finding a treatment, doctor, or prescription that works is too often a difficult, time-consuming process. Even more frustrating is the possibility of having to do so all over again due to changes in insurance coverage.
This legislation would allow mental health patients to retain access to their treatment, regardless of changes in their insurance. Similar legislation has already been passed in Massachusetts, including a bill I filed allowing individuals with multiple sclerosis to retain treatment access.
S.1384, An Act relative to the prescription monitoring program
When it comes to treating individuals living with substance use disorder, it is important for physicians to have access to complete prescribing records in order to best treat patients. Not knowing a someone is receiving medication-assisted treatments (MATs) like methadone for substance use disorder may lead to prescribing and treatment errors that harm a person’s recovery.
This legislation requires methadone to be listed as a prescribed medication on a patient’s medical chart, helping ensure they are not forced to go without the MATs that have become such a crucial part of their recovery or prescribed opioids that put their recovery at risk.
S.1385, An Act relative to collaborative drug therapy management optimization
Staff shortages hamper patient care in many hospitals, urgent care institutions, and community health centers. This bill would help to alleviate one area where staffing shortages have blocked patients from receiving their prescriptions.
Under current law, an attending physician needs to be physically on-site before an outpatient facility can provide a patient with prescription medication. This legislation would allow physicians to be consulted over the phone by facility staff, allowing patients to receive their medication in a timely manner.
S.758 An Act providing access to patient protection services for MassHealth consumers
Approximately 2 million people rely on MassHealth for their insurance coverage, yet we do not provide to them many of the same protections and services that we do to other insurance policy holders. For instance, the current appeals process for MassHealth patients is much slower than the appeals process for non-MassHealth patients, which operates through the Commonwealth’s Office of Patient Protection.
This bill seeks to provide MassHealth patients access to the same appeals process for refusals of coverage for prescribed treatments and services. By speeding up the appeals process, we would ensure care delivery is uninterrupted.
S.663, An Act to prevent inappropriate denials by insurers for medically necessary services
Though many treatments may be viewed as “medically necessary” by doctors and patients, health insurers may still deny claims due to administrative or technical defects within the claim. This legislation prohibits insurance providers from making such denials and requires insurance providers to provide clarification on refusals and offer sufficient time for policy holders to re-submit claims.
Additionally, the bill establishes a 30-day timeframe during which insurers must respond to provider appeals.
S.757, An Act promoting workforce development and provider retention at community health centers
A big part of ensuring Massachusetts can keep up with the health needs of its residents is to have enough well-trained medical professionals employed throughout the Commonwealth. We must do more to ensure we have enough nurse practitioners working across Massachusetts.
This bill supports and expands a state-level community health center nurse practitioner residency program overseen by the Division of Medical Assistance. Those interested in working as a nurse practitioner within a community health center would have a new pipeline for training and employment upon which they could rely. As a result, community health centers, which serve many of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable patients, would be able to devote more resources to patient care.
S.295, An Act to create a facilities loan program for private special education schools
Massachusetts has long been on the forefront of equity in education, so with a growing special education student population we must commit additional resources. This legislation creates a funding mechanism for the construction and upgrading of schools for students with severe medical, physical, and developmental needs by directing the Massachusetts School Building Authority to create regulations for a low-interest loan program.
Preserving the rights of all students to a quality public education means making sure the facilities provided are equal in quality.
S.658, An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage
Many patients deal with substance use disorder and other mental health needs at the same time. Unfortunately, many health insurance plans do not adequately address this increasingly common scenario.
This bill ensures that an individual admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility for mental health needs can also receive insurance coverage for substance use treatment at the same facility if it is properly licensed.
S.97, An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism
Treatment for many diagnoses is rarely “one size fits all.” Individuals living with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, or autism often require different resources, which is why we need to ensure individuals can access the unique services they need.
Although applied behavior analysis (ABA) has worked for many living in Massachusetts, MassHealth patients cannot receive ABA coverage after they reach the age of 21. This legislation would remove the age cap for ABA coverage, preventing disruption in care.
S.661, Resolve establishing a commission to encourage acceptance of insurance by outpatient mental health providers
The topic of mental health has fortunately shifted much further into the mainstream in recent years as a result of reduced stigma around this important aspect of health care. As more and more people seek treatment in this area, we must ensure that getting treatment from a behavioral health provider is as easy as receiving care from any other medical professional.
This legislation creates a commission that will study why many behavioral health providers do not accept many people’s insurance. This will provide invaluable context for how we can make our mental health care system more equitable.
S.760, An Act relative to behavioral health clinic rates
Community Behavioral Health Centers are often relied on to provide a variety of care options, including the training of our behavioral health workforce. Unfortunately, the current payrate structure for insurers does not reflect the costs associated with this important training component.
This legislation increases the rate paid by insurers for mental health services by 5%, and increases the rate paid to mental health clinics by 20%, helping offset this current cost discrepancy.
S.660, An Act relative to the care and treatment of patients with mitochondrial disease
Equity in health care means being able to treat any kind of disease, illness, or condition, no matter how rare. Mitochondrial diseases may be uncommon, but they are devastating, with individuals possibly experiencing cell injuries that can lead to organ failure and neurological damage.
This legislation expands requirements for adequate insurance coverage for mitochondrial disease treatment, lessening the burdens that individuals with this diagnosis already face.
S.761, An Act relative to hospital closures and health planning
The closure of a hospital is a challenge for any community, so we need regulations to ensure such situations cause as little disruption as possible.
This legislation establishes procedures and protocols hospitals would need to take in the event of a closure, including extending the public notification process so that stakeholders can have more time to make appropriate plans. This would also help ensure that patients are able to find replacement care providers so their treatments are disrupted as little as possible.
S.1386, An Act relative to the determination of need of new technology
CT scans have long been a part of common medical practice, but Massachusetts regulations still lists them as “new technology.” Because of this classification, there are more administrative burdens to getting such equipment installed in a health care setting.
This legislation changes that designation so there are fewer obstacles preventing health care providers from offering this important resource.
S.1387, An Act regulating surgical assistants
Massachusetts is home to one of the most robust surgical infrastructures in the country, but being able to offer these procedures means having well-staffed operating rooms. This legislation streamlines the Commonwealth’s licensing process for surgical assistants, while also allowing nurses and other practitioners to perform surgical assistance duties as long as those duties fall within the scope of their own licenses. Additionally, this bill further professionalizes the work of surgical assistants by establishing a board of registration for surgical assistants.
S.1253, An Act to remove administrative barriers to behavioral health services
The need for prior authorization can delay a patient’s behavioral health treatment. This process requires health care providers to consult with a patient’s insurer as to whether a treatment is necessary and covered by insurance before providing that treatment.
This legislation limits the need for prior authorization and expands the type of behavioral health settings where necessary care can be provided without prior authorization. This change will streamline the process and expand treatment options for those in need.
S.1014, An Act relative to the head injury treatment services trust fund
For decades, Massachusetts has supported survivors of traumatic brain injuries by using fines collected from certain motor vehicle infractions to fund residential and nonresidential rehabilitation services. While brain injury treatment costs have increased greatly over the years, the way in which we collect these fines and the amount collected has not.
This bill increases the percentage of fines collected from OUI, DUI, and speeding infractions, while also adding $50 from each violation of the Commonwealth’s “hands-free law” to the head injury treatment services trust fund.
S.829, An Act establishing a behavioral health workforce center of excellence
Addressing the enormous challenges associated with behavioral health care will require a strong understanding of the care we currently offer and the areas upon which we can improve.
This bill establishes a Behavioral Health Workforce Center of Excellence responsible for studying our current mental health care infrastructure and identifying shortfalls in care. This would include studying staffing levels, acceptance of insurance, and reimbursement rates. Additionally, the center would be tasked with examining possibilities for career development opportunities, including trainings and loan repayment programs to help draw and keep practitioners to stay in the field.
S.759, An Act requiring equitable access to behavioral health services for MassHealth consumers
With so many Massachusetts residents relying on MassHealth for their medical coverage, we need to ensure that comparable insurance coverage also means comparable treatment. This legislation would require that all accountable care organizations, contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations, and behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan provide equal access to behavioral health services, benefits and medications.
S.1252, An Act regarding consistent care for addiction rooted in evidence
This legislation reflects the Commonwealth’s ever-evolving relationship with substance use disorder and those frequently impacted by it. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) has a proved record of success in treating substance use disorder and has been made available across the country in correctional facilities where inmates often grapple with the disease. Current state law does requires medications be made available to some individuals incarcerated in Massachusetts, but not all. This legislation would require all state and county correctional facilities in Massachusetts to offer MOUD.
S.1388, An Act relative to recovery coach licensure
Recovery Coaches are trained professionals who work individually with those in recovery to meet their recovery goals. These mental health professionals have a documented success rate at helping patients, but the lack of licensure for this position limits employment opportunities.
This legislation creates a licensure process for recovery coaches, including criteria they must meet for licensure, regulations they must comply with, and a certification board that reviews applications and ensures compliance. This is a necessary step in making recovery coaches not just accessible treatment resources whose services can be covered by insurance, but a viable career to anyone interested in working in this field.
S.1193, An Act expanding access to commuter transit benefits offered by employers
Public transit reduces congestion, helps fight climate change, and serves as a cost-effective commuting alternative. But how do we convince more people to switch to public transit?
This bill requires Massachusetts employers with 50 or more employees to offer a commuter transit tax benefit to its workforce. Through their employers, workers could pay for public transit costs and have the costs exempt from their taxable income. This minimal loss in tax revenue would help commuters save money, result in increased use of public transportation, and provide more revenue to public transportation providers.
S.1850, An Act relative to commuter transit benefits
We must incentivize more energy-efficient transportation alternatives. This legislation would create a tax deduction for a broader range of Massachusetts commuter fares, including daily MBTA passes, RTA fares, and costs associated with bicycle-based travel.
S.2014, An Act relative to collective bargaining rights for legislative employees
Organized labor has played an instrumental role in ensuring many of the standards of living we enjoy today. Unions have negotiated and made possible improved health care benefits, work hours, and workplace safety standards. We should extend these rights to as many Massachusetts residents as possible.
While state law provides this right to employees in many occupations, Massachusetts legislative employees cannot unionize. This bill would eliminate this exemption, affording dedicated public servants the protections so many of us already have and enjoy.
S.1302, An Act changing the board of selectmen of the town of Hanover to a select board
Words have so much power, often more than we realize. As we work toward a more equitable and inclusive society, we must make sure to choose our words carefully.
Working with the Town of Hanover and Rep. David DeCoste, I filed this legislation to change the name of the town’s “Board of Selectmen” to “Select Board.” Anyone, regardless of their gender identity, should feel welcome serving on this board. The Senate passed this bill on May 18 and sent it to the House of Representatives.
After passing both the House and Senate, this bill was signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey on July 20, 2023.
S.2248, An Act directing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to place naloxone at Red Line stations
Think of the importance of fire extinguishers in public places, or automated external defibrillators (AEDs). We may not use them every day, but they are available for the worst-case scenario. In this age of wide-spread substance use disorder, we need to take similar precautions.
This legislation creates a pilot program to install three naloxone (Narcan) boxes at Red Line MBTA stations in Boston, Braintree, Cambridge, Quincy, and Somerville. This life-saving treatment can resuscitate a person experiencing a potentially fatal overdose. By having naloxone readily available in more public spaces, we can save countless lives.
S.1848, An Act protecting youth from nicotine addiction
To protect vulnerable young populations from predatory tobacco companies and to disincentivize overall tobacco use, this legislation would increase state nicotine-related taxes. The Massachusetts cigarette tax would increase from $3.51 a pack to $4.51; the e-cigarette tax would increase by $1; and cigar taxes would increase from 40% to 60%.
S.182, An Act related to deceptive advertising
With sports betting legal in Massachusetts, we need to ensure that companies are not using misleading advertising language to entice and exploit consumers. This legislation would add certain terminology to the Commonwealth’s deceptive advertising statute, banning “bonus promotions,” “same-game parlays,” “odds boosts,” or other wagers referred to as “risk-free” or “no-sweat.”
Many betting companies use this terminology in Massachusetts to present misleadingly friendly odds to customers, encouraging them to spend their money and increasing the rate of problem gambling.
S.1012, An act relative to transmitting indecent visual depictions by teens and the unlawful distribution of explicit images
As our relationship with technology continues to evolve, our laws need to evolve, too. This legislation criminalizes revenge pornography, the increasingly common offense of sharing explicit photos or videos of someone without their consent, even if the pictures were taken with consent.
Because this kind of activity often involves underage offenders and victims, the bill includes provisions to help educate youth on the dangers of revenge porn. This bill would also create an educational diversion program, rather than defaulting to criminal charges, for teenage offenders, when deemed appropriate under the circumstances.
S.881, An Act creating the Massachusetts healthy homes program
The presence of lead paint, poor indoor air quality, and other substandard housing conditions can lead to developmental delays in children, respiratory disease, accidents, and many other serious but preventable health issues. So many Massachusetts homes are afflicted by these kinds of conditions, but they are disproprtionately having an impact on low-income tenants and families.
The passage of this legislation will create the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program to scale up the Commonwealth’s efforts to address serious health problems caused by substandard housing. It will offer rental property owners loans of up to $50,000 to pay for improvements including, but not limited to, lead paint abatement, lead pipe replacement, asbestos removal, mold removal, and pest removal.
S.2140, An Act establishing off-peak charging rebates
To increase the number of electric vehicles in Massachusetts, we need to make sure drivers have a realistic and reliable network of charging stations. Given the current number of charging stations in Massachusetts, certain times of day are much busier at these locations, making it difficult for all drivers to recharge their vehicle.
To minimize lines at the charging stations during rush hours when demand for electricity is higher, and to even demands on the electric grid, this legislation would mandate lower charging prices during off-peak hours to encourage charging during less popular times.
State Senator John F. Keenan 