SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2852

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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SENATE, January 15, 2026.

 The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1597) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2852).

For the committee,

 William J. Driscoll, Jr.

        FILED ON: 12/3/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2852

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 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. The campaign shall promote subjects including, but not limited to, safe and responsible approaches to exercise in gyms and indoor or outdoor exercise facilities and healthy habits to improve immune, respiratory, and other systems of the body to support disease prevention. 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.