SENATE DOCKET, NO. 353 FILED ON: 1/11/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 615
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Joan B. Lovely
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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 requiring mental health parity for disability policies.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
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Joan B. Lovely | Second Essex |
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Ruth B. Balser | 12th Middlesex | 1/16/2019 |
Diana DiZoglio | First Essex | 1/29/2019 |
Thomas M. Stanley | 9th Middlesex | 1/30/2019 |
Mike Connolly | 26th Middlesex | 1/31/2019 |
James B. Eldridge | Middlesex and Worcester | 1/31/2019 |
Patricia D. Jehlen | Second Middlesex | 1/31/2019 |
John F. Keenan | Norfolk and Plymouth | 1/31/2019 |
Bruce E. Tarr | First Essex and Middlesex | 2/1/2019 |
Brendan P. Crighton | Third Essex | 2/4/2019 |
Lori A. Ehrlich | 8th Essex | 2/4/2019 |
Sal N. DiDomenico | Middlesex and Suffolk | 2/11/2019 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 353 FILED ON: 1/11/2019
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 615
By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 615) of Joan B. Lovely, Ruth B. Balser, Diana DiZoglio, Thomas M. Stanley and other members of the General Court for legislation to require mental health parity for disability policies. Financial Services. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 555 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 requiring mental health parity for disability policies.
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 108 of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following:-
"13. No individual policy of short-term or long-term disability insurance providing income replacement benefits that is issued or renewed in the Commonwealth shall impose benefit limitations or exclusions upon claimants affected by behavioral health disorders, where such limitations or exclusions are not imposed equally upon claimants affected by physical disorders."
SECTION 2. Section 110 of chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
"(Q) No certificate of coverage under a group policy of short-term or long-term disability insurance providing income replacement benefits that is issued or renewed in the Commonwealth shall impose benefit limitations or exclusions upon claimants affected by behavioral health disorders, where such limitations or exclusions are not imposed equally upon claimants affected by physical disorders."
SECTION 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit periodic medical exams or other procedures reasonably calculated to determine whether or not a disability exists, or continues to exist; provided said examinations, procedures or protocols are comparable and no more frequent or onerous that those required for disabilities caused by physical disorders.