SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2178        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1423

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Mark C. Montigny

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act improving Hepatitis C screening.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Mark C. Montigny

Second Bristol and Plymouth


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2178        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1423

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1423) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to improve Hepatitis C screening.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act improving Hepatitis C screening.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 4M½ of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

(b) Every person over the age of 18 who receives health care services from a primary care provider shall be offered a hepatitis C screening test or a hepatitis C diagnostic test unless the provider believes that: (i) the person is being treated for a life threatening emergency; (ii) the person has previously been offered or has received a hepatitis screening test; or (iii) the person lacks capacity to consent to a hepatitis C screening test.

SECTION 2. Section 4M½ of chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by adding the following subsections:-

(c) The department shall make and from time to time revise regulations establishing in furtherance of the hepatitis C screening or hepatitis C diagnostic test requirements under subsection (b). 

(d) Such regulations required under subsection (c) shall include: (i) the frequency with which a primary care provider must offer a hepatitis C screening test or hepatitis C diagnostic test; and (ii) any fines and/or penalties for non-compliance with such regulations. 

SECTION 3.  The department shall promulgate the initial regulations required under subsection (c) and (d) of section 4M½ not later than 180 days following the effective date of this act.