SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2414        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

John C. Velis

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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 relative to endometriosis awareness.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2414        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

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

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 endometriosis awareness.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 222 the following section:-

Section 223. There is hereby established a special commission on endometriosis located within, but not subject to the control of, the executive office of health and human services. The commission shall work to study, raise awareness, and make policy recommendations relative to endometriosis. 

The commission shall consist of: 2 persons appointed by the senate president; 1 person appointed by the senate minority leader; 2 persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 person appointed by the house of representatives minority leader; the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, or a designee; the commissioner of the department of public health, or a designee; the commissioner of insurance, or a designee; 2 persons to be appointed by the governor; 1 person appointed by AllPaths Family Building who has endometriosis or has a close family member with endometriosis; 1 person appointed by the Center for Endometriosis Care of Mount Auburn Hospital; 1 person appointed by the Endometriosis Summit who has endometriosis or has a close family member with endometriosis; 3 persons appointed by the Massachusetts Medical Society, including at least 1 obstetrician/gynecologist and at least 1 expert in desmoid tumors; and 1 person appointed by the New England Fertility Society. The senate president and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each designate a co-chair from their respective appointees.

The commission shall investigate and work to raise awareness and improve the care of endometriosis, including, but not limited to: (i) an assessment of the availability of current research and provider education about endometriosis, desmoid tumors, and other conditions that occur more frequently in persons with endometriosis; (ii) provide assistance to the department of public health, other state agencies and organizations in the development of professional and public educational materials and programs on endometriosis; (iii) provide assistance to the department of public health, other state agencies and organizations relative to applications for federal funding to support efforts consistent with the mission and purpose of the commission; and (iv) any other matters that the commission considers relevant to the fulfillment of its mission and purpose.

The commission shall provide guidance and advice to the governor, the general court, and the secretary of health and human services relative to current research on endometriosis including, but not limited to, best and promising practices in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and recommend policies, including legislation, to improve public awareness of and access to care for endometriosis. The special commission may conduct public hearings, forums or meetings to gather information and to raise awareness of endometriosis.

The commission shall submit a report of its study and recommendations to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than December 31, 2026.