HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4385        FILED ON: 2/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Steven Ultrino

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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 expanding the treatment of cleft palate and cleft lip.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4385        FILED ON: 2/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4825 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

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An Act expanding the treatment of cleft palate and cleft lip.

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 17J of chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “children under the age of 18” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- any individual.

SECTION 2. Section 10G of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1, the words “For children under the age of 18, the division” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- The division.

SECTION 3. Section 47BB of chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 to 8, inclusive, the words “a child under the age of 18 shall cover the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the child” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- an individual shall cover the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the individual.

SECTION 4. Section 8EE of chapter 176A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 9, inclusive, the words “a child under the age of 18 shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the child” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- an individual shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the individual. 

SECTION 5. Section 4EE of chapter 176B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 31 and 32, the words “a child under the age of 18 shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the child” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- an individual shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the individual. 

SECTION 6. Section 4W of chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2 to 4, inclusive, the words “a child under the age of 18 shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the child” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- an individual shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the individual.

SECTION 7. Section 12 of chapter 176I of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2 and 3, the words “a child under the age of 18 shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the child” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- an individual shall provide coverage for the cost of treating cleft lip and cleft palate for the individual.