HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1815        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3715

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Peter J. Durant

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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 applied behavioral analysis therapy.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1815        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3715

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 applied behavioral analysis therapy.

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. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 29. The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.  For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.

SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 10L the following section:-

Section 10M. The division and its contracted health insurers, health plans, health maintenance organizations, behavioral health management firms and third-party administrators under contract to a Medicaid managed care organization or primary care clinician plan shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.  For purposes of this section, “Down Syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.

SECTION 3.  Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47KK the following section:-

Section 47LL.  Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth, which is considered creditable coverage under section 1 of chapter 111M, shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.  For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.

SECTION 4.  Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8MM the following section:-

Section 8NN. Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan that is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.  For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.

SECTION 5.  Chapter 176B of the General laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4MM the following section:-

Section 4NN. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.  For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.

SECTION 6.  Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4EE the following section:-

Section 4FF.  An individual or group health maintenance contract that is issued or renewed shall provide coverage for the treatment of Down syndrome through speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and applied behavior analysis services.  For purposes of this section, “Down syndrome” means a chromosomal condition caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an extra whole or partial copy of chromosome 21.