HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4936

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 22, 2026.

 The committee on Financial Services, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1164) of Sean Garballey and Jennifer Balinsky Armini relative to the definition of licensed mental health professional in the insurance laws, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4936) ought to pass.

For the committee,

JAMES M. MURPHY.

        FILED ON: 1/5/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4936

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 improve child and adolescent mental health services.

 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 22 of Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the last paragraph, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

  For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed educational psychologist within the lawful scope of practice for such educational psychologist.

 SECTION 2. Section 47B of Chapter 175, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

   For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed educational psychologist within the lawful scope of practice for such educational psychologist.

 SECTION 3. Section 8A of Chapter 176A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

          For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed educational psychologist within the lawful scope of practice for such educational psychologist.

 SECTION 4. Section 4A of Chapter 176B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

         For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed educational psychologist within the lawful scope of practice for such educational psychologist.

 SECTION 5. Section 4M of Chapter 176G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i), and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

         For the purposes of this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed educational psychologist within the lawful scope of practice for such educational psychologist.