HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4942

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 23, 2026.

 The committee on Financial Services, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1187) of James K. Hawkins relative to the definition of licensed mental health professionals under certain insurance laws, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4942) ought to pass.

For the committee,

JAMES M. MURPHY.

        FILED ON: 1/5/2026

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4942

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 relative to increasing consumer access to licensed rehabilitation counselors.

 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

 SECTION 2.  Section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

 SECTION 4.  Section 4A of 176B of the General Laws, 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.

 SECTION 5.  Section 4M of 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, a licensed marriage and family therapist, or a licensed rehabilitation counselor within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.