Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H1351: An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism
Status: In committee, June 17, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
Chapter 118E of General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 62 the following section:- Section 63. The Division shall cover the cost of habilitative and rehabilitative medically necessary treatments for individuals aged 21 and older who are receiving coverage under this chapter and who have been diagnosed with any of the following disorders as defined in the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM): developmental disability, an intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorder. The diagnoses must be made by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary. Treatments shall include, but shall not be limited to, applied behavior analysis provided or supervised by a licensed behavior analyst that is necessary to develop, maintain or restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual. In addition, the Division shall cover the cost of both dedicated and non-dedicated augmentative and alternative communication devices, including, but not limited to, medically necessary tablets.
Sponsors
- Christine Barber (D) · primary sponsor
- Bud Williams (D, 11th Hampden)
- Whipps, Susannah M. (I, 2nd Franklin)
- David Vieira (R, 3rd Barnstable)
- Erika Uyterhoeven (D, 27th Middlesex)
- Steven Ultrino (D, 33rd Middlesex)
- Thomas Stanley (D, 9th Middlesex)
- Priscila Sousa (D)
- Danillo Sena (D)
- Adrianne Ramos (D)
- Edward Philips (D, 8th Norfolk)
- John Marsi (R, 6th Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Monday, June 15, 2026
- : Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- : Hearing scheduled for 07/01/2025 from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM in Gardner Auditorium
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
Common questions
- What is H1351?
- H1351 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act ensuring equal access to medical treatments essential for people with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or autism.
- What is the status of H1351?
- In committee as of June 17, 2026. Latest action: Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026 (June 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored H1351?
- Christine Barber (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H1351?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1351
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.