MA S139

Bill

To provide increased access to hearing aids

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to provide increased access to hearing aids. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

AI Summary

This bill aims to provide increased access to hearing aids by amending the existing laws in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1) Allowing otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) and non-profit or charitable organizations to sell hearing aids that are dispensed by a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist, even if they had previously provided services to the patient. 2) Requiring audiologists and otolaryngologists who sell hearing aids to disclose the fees for prior services and the terms of the hearing aid sale, including the total purchase price. 3) Prohibiting the offering of any inducements to physicians, otolaryngologists, or audiologists to influence the recommendation of a hearing aid purchase. 4) Clarifying that the licensing requirements for hearing instrument specialists do not apply to those who only repair or manufacture hearing aids or accessories, or those who sell assisted listening devices but not hearing aids.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (4)

Mike Barrett (D), Diana Dizoglio (D), Patrick O'Connor (R), Becca Rausch (D),

Last Action

Accompanied a new draft, see H4298 (on 01/21/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S139

(15 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S139
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S139.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1002	Expanding access to telemedicine services	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
H1705	Relative to expanding access and safety of mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H4450	Similar To
H1988	Relative to access to certain birth records	Accompanied a study order, see H4449	Similar To
H4017	Relative to hospital access to discounted prescription drug prices	Signed by the Governor, Chapter 82 of the Acts of 2019	Similar To
H4298	To provide increased access to hearing aids	Read second and ordered to a third reading	Replaced by
H726	Relative to public access to Long Island in Boston Harbor	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means	Similar To
H741	Expanding pleasure boat access to Boston Harbor	Accompanied a study order, see H5078	Similar To
H747	To increase access to recycling	Accompanied a study order, see H5124	Similar To
S1308	Ensuring consumer choice and equal access to eye care	Accompanied a new draft, see S2278	Similar To
S151	To provide increased access to hearing aids	Accompanied a new draft, see H4298	Similar To
S1936	Promoting net neutrality and consumer protection	Accompanied a study order, see S2552	Similar To
S2278	Ensuring consumer choice and equal access to eye care	New draft substituted, see S2296	Similar To
S2296	Ensuring consumer choice and equal access to eye care	Read; and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means	Similar To
S597	Providing coverage for hearing aids	Accompanied a study order, see S2543	Similar To
S728	Providing affordable access to generic medicines	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To

Bill > S139

MA S139

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

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