SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1945        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1509

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Patrick M. O'Connor

_________________

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 a healthier, stronger Massachusetts.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1945        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1509

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

An Act relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts.

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. The department of public health shall design and implement a public awareness campaign, subject to appropriation, to promote healthy and active lifestyles in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The campaign shall promote subjects including, but not limited to, safe and responsible approaches to exercise in gyms and indoor exercise facilities, healthy habits to improve immune, respiratory, and other systems of the body to support virus resistance, and safe practices to counteract the physical and emotional impacts of quarantine and social distancing. Promotion methods shall include, but not be limited to, television and website advertisements, infographic displays in public places, and the adoption of a memorable slogan.

SECTION 2. The department of public health shall establish and set up on the books of the Commonwealth a gym membership subsidy program for the purpose of incentivizing public and private employers to offer free gym memberships for employees. The department shall design and implement an application system whereby employers may apply for partial or full reimbursement for the costs of offering employees free gym memberships. The department acting under such program shall prioritize applicants who do not contract with a health insurance provider that offers gym membership reimbursements.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be established a special commission to study and recommend a recovery framework for survivors of the novel 2019 coronavirus incorporating epidemiological and preventative health science, best practices in lifestyle and fitness, and healthcare industry insight.

(a) The commission shall be comprised of the following members: three private gym owners, to be appointed by the Governor; the director of the Massachusetts Independent Fitness Operators Organization; the commissioner of the department of public health, or their designee; the director of Mass In Motion program, or their designee; the director of the bureau of community health and prevention, or their designee; the director of the Massachusetts Health Policy commission, or their designee; and the director of the Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis, or their designee.

(b) The first meeting of the commission shall take place no later than December 1, 2021 and shall be organized by the director of the bureau of community health and prevention.

(c) The commission shall produce a report of their findings and analysis along with any recommendations for legislation to the Clerks of the House and Senate and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Health no later than December 1, 2022.