Massachusetts H253: An Act establishing guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Section 8 of chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (f) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- “Provider", includes any institution, agency, individual or other legal entity (i) qualified under the laws of the commonwealth to perform the medical care or services for which medical assistance and medical benefits are available under this chapter or (ii) that is duly appointed (or recognized, if appointed elsewhere) under the laws of the commonwealth as guardian of a member who is eligible for medical assistance under this chapter while engaged in activities that are reasonably related to consenting or gaining access to medical care or services for the member. Provided, however, that no person who is a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the member (hereinafter, an “immediate family relationship”) shall be included in the definition of Provider herein. SECTION 2. Section 13C of chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in its place the following paragraph:- The secretary of the executive office shall establish rates of payment for social service programs which are reasonable and adequate to meet the costs which are incurred by efficiently and economically operated social service program providers in providing social service programs in conformity with federal and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Sally Kerans (D, 13th Essex) · primary sponsor
• Carlos González (D, 10th Hampden)
• Vanna Howard (D, 17th Middlesex)
• John Marsi (R, 6th Worcester)
• Michelle Badger (D)
• Joan Lovely (D, Second Essex)
• James Arena-DeRosa (D)
• Kathleen LaNatra (D, 12th Plymouth)

Latest actions

1. June 17, 2026: Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
2. March 19, 2026: Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026
3. December 8, 2025: Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
4. September 17, 2025: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
5. June 3, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 06/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
6. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
7. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Votes

• Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities (September 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H253?

H253 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act establishing guardians as providers of medical care to support the rights of incapacitated persons.

What is the status of H253?

In committee as of June 17, 2026. Latest action: Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026 (June 17, 2026).

Who sponsored H253?

Sally Kerans (D, 13th Essex), with 7 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H253?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H253