Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4893: An Act to support behavioral health prevention for children
Status: In committee, July 31, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 8, 2026:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws, is hereby amended by inserting after section 34 the following section:- Section 35. (a) For the purpose of this section, the following term shall have the following meaning: “Preventive behavioral health services”, short-term interventions in supportive group, individual, or family settings that cultivate coping skills and strategies for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other social and emotional concerns, which may prevent the development of behavioral health conditions for members who are under 21 years old who have a positive behavioral health screening, or, in the case of an infant, a caregiver with a positive post-partum depression screening, even if the individual does not meet criteria for behavioral health diagnosis. (b)(1) Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth under the group insurance commission shall provide coverage for no fewer than six sessions of preventive behavioral health services provided by a qualified licensed behavioral health clinician, or a non-licensed clinician or trainee under supervision, without requiring prior authorization. Coverage shall include individual, family and group sessions when delivered by a behavioral health clinician practicing in an integrated pediatric primary care setting and group sessions when delivered in community-based outpatient and school settings. Preventive behavioral health services shall be covered with no patient cost-sharing; provided, however, that …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Lisa Field (D, 3rd Bristol)
- Natalie Blais (D, 1st Franklin)
- Samantha Montaño (D)
- Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex)
- David Robertson (D, 19th Middlesex)
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
- James Arena-DeRosa (D)
- Natalie Higgins (D, 4th Worcester)
- Patricia Duffy (D, 5th Hampden)
- Michael Kushmerek (D, 3rd Worcester)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H1228
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (December 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4893?
- H4893 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act to support behavioral health prevention for children.
- What is the status of H4893?
- In committee as of July 31, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 31, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4893?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4893?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4893
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.