HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5214        FILED ON: 10/6/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4622

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Thomas P. Walsh and 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 to protect the lives of student athletes; Freddy’s law.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5214        FILED ON: 10/6/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4622

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act to protect the lives of student athletes; Freddy’s law.

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 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section 222A

The department shall direct and assist the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in developing policies and procedures pertaining to requiring high school athletes to complete at least one electrocardiogram screening prior to participation in interscholastic athletic competition beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. MIAA policy shall include, but not be limited to: student athlete compliance; protocol following an abnormal electrocardiogram result; religious exemption; and transferability of results.

SECTION 2. Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 17S the following section:-

Section 17T. Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth, insured under the Group Insurance Commission, shall provide coverage for one electrocardiogram screening for high school aged MIAA athletes.

SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 47UU, the following section:-

Section 47VV. Any policy, contract, agreement, plan or certificate of insurance issued, delivered or renewed within the commonwealth that provides medical expense coverage shall provide coverage for one electrocardiogram screening for high school aged MIAA athletes.

SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 8VV the following section:-

Section 8WW. Any contract between a subscriber and the corporation under an individual or group hospital service plan which is delivered, issued or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for one electrocardiogram screening for high school aged MIAA athletes.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV, the following section:-

Section 4WW. Any subscription certificate under an individual or group medical service agreement delivered, issued, or renewed within the commonwealth shall provide coverage for one electrocardiogram screening for high school aged MIAA athletes.

SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4NN the following section:-

Section 4OO. Any individual or group health maintenance contract shall provide coverage for one electrocardiogram screening for high school aged MIAA athletes.