HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2085        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 250

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bradford Hill

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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 relative to training for certain medical professional about eating disorders.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2085        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 250

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 161 OF 2017-2018.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relative to training for certain medical professional about eating disorders.

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 9 of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following subsection:-

4. Every physician practicing in the Commonwealth shall, on or before July 1, 2018 complete a 1 hour online course approved by the department regarding the early recognition of eating disorders, in consultation with the department of health and human services. Each physician shall attest to the department at the time of registration, commencing with the first registration after July 1, 2018, that the professional has completed the training in accordance with this section.

Pursuant to this section, the 1 hour online course shall consist of, but not be limited to, information regarding physical, emotional and behavioral indicators of eating disorders. The department shall provide an exemption from this requirement to anyone who requests such an exemption and who clearly demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that there would be no need for him or her to complete the training because the nature of his or her practice.

A hospital or facility shall not grant or renew professional privileges or association to a physician who has not completed the training.

SECTION 2. Section 9I of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after the third paragraph, the following 3 paragraphs:-

Every physician’s assistant practicing in the Commonwealth shall, on or before July 1, 2018 complete a 1 hour online course approved by the department regarding the early recognition of eating disorders, in consultation with the department of health and human services. Each physician’s assistant shall attest to the department at the time of registration, commencing with the first registration after July 1, 2018, that the professional has completed the training in accordance with this section.

Pursuant to this section, the 1 hour online course shall consist of, but not limited to, information regarding physical, emotional and behavioral indicators of eating disorders. The department shall provide an exemption from this requirement to anyone who requests such an exemption and who clearly demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that there would be no need for him or her to complete the training because the nature of his or her practice.

A hospital or facility shall not grant or renew professional privileges or association to a physician’s assistant who has not completed the training.