Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H5042: An Act protecting patients from surprise bills related to emergency ambulance service
Status: In committee, April 15, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 5, 2026:
SECTION 3. Chapter 176O of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 30 the following section:- Section 31. Protection from Surprise Billing for Emergency Ambulance Services. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly requires otherwise: “Ambulance service provider”, a person or entity licensed by the department of public health pursuant to section 6 of chapter 111C to establish or maintain an ambulance service with the exception of non-profit corporations licensed to operate critical care ambulance services that perform both ground and air transports. “Emergency ambulance service”, ground ambulance medical or transport services furnished by an ambulance service provider to an individual for whom an immediate response was required to assess and/or treat an emergency medical condition. The determination as to whether an emergency medical condition exists shall not be based solely upon a retrospective analysis of the level of care eventually provided to, or a final discharge of, the person who received emergency assistance. “Insurance policy” and “insurance contract”, any policy, contract, agreement, plan, evidence of coverage, or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides coverage for expenses incurred by an insured for emergency ambulance services. . “Insured”, an individual entitled to emergency ambulance services benefits pursuant to an insurance policy …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Kate Donaghue (D)
- Jennifer Armini (D)
- Margaret Scarsdale (D)
- John Marsi (R, 6th Worcester)
- Steven Howitt (R, 4th Bristol)
- James Hawkins (D, 2nd Bristol)
- Michael Brady (D, Second Plymouth and Norfolk)
- Sally Kerans (D, 13th Essex)
- Paul McMurtry (D, 11th Norfolk)
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
- : New draft of H1261
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (April 9, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (January 23, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H5042?
- H5042 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act protecting patients from surprise bills related to emergency ambulance service.
- What is the status of H5042?
- In committee as of April 15, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (April 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored H5042?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H5042?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5042
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.