Bill > H2400

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to establish a comprehensive surveillance system for Long COVID (also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 or PASC), a condition that can occur after COVID-19 infection. The department must create a case definition aligned with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's definition and develop an active surveillance method to understand the condition's prevalence and impact on the state's population and healthcare systems. The department will create a case report form to collect detailed patient information, including demographic data (such as gender identity, race, age, and location), initial COVID-19 infection date, Long COVID symptom onset, presenting symptoms, and potentially treatment information. Six months after the act's enactment, the department will begin active public health surveillance and will publish statewide reports at least annually. Within one year of enactment, the department must submit a report to legislative clerks and the public health committee detailing the progress of Long COVID surveillance efforts, including the development of surveillance forms, outreach efforts, and initial surveillance results.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2400