Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H242: An Act to enhance standards of care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities
Status: In committee, April 16, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, within one year of the date of enactment, the executive office of health and human services shall create and maintain an integrated state plan to develop training and education as well as standards of care by appropriate healthcare providers related to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities. The plan should include implementation steps and recommendations from the advisory committee on intellectual and developmental disabilities that includes, but is not limited to: (1) continuing education requirements for applicable healthcare providers related to diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities, inclusive of the physical and psychological impacts of emergency department boarding and strategies to support patients and families when boarding is unavoidable; (2) implementation of a strategy for the adoption of standards for improving assessment and diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders and those with intersecting marginalized identities, for patients during routine outpatient primary care examinations; and (3) coordination with applicable state licensure boards, as recommended by the advisory committee on intellectual and developmental disabilities, the adoption of appropriate continuing education requirements related to intellectual and developmental disabilities, including …
Sponsors
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex) · primary sponsor
- David LeBoeuf (D)
- David Vieira (R, 3rd Barnstable)
- Tackey Chan (D, 2nd Norfolk)
- Mike Connolly (D, 26th Middlesex)
- Bradley Jones (R)
- Tarr, Andrew (D, 5th Essex)
- Leigh Davis (D)
- Michael Kushmerek (D, 3rd Worcester)
- Priscila Sousa (D)
- John Barrett (D)
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (April 9, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (December 8, 2025): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (December 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H242?
- H242 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to enhance standards of care for those with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- What is the status of H242?
- In committee as of April 16, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (April 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored H242?
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H242?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H242
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.