SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1220        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joanne M. Comerford

_________________

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 relative to trans-inclusive health care access.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1220        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 596 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act relative to trans-inclusive health care access.

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 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 17S the following section:-

Section 17T. The commission shall not reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the commission require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 10Q the following section:-

Section 10R. The division shall not reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the division require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

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

Section 47VV. No insurer or producer authorized to issue policies of insurance pursuant to sections 108 or 110 shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall any insurer or producer require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

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

Section 8WW. No corporation subject to this chapter shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the corporation require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV the following section:-

Section 4WW. No corporation subject to this chapter shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the corporation require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

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

Section 4OO. No health maintenance organization subject to this chapter, and no officer or agent thereof, shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall a health maintenance organization require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.

For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.