MA S1136

Bill

MA S1136

Providing for consumer access to and disclosure of complementary and alternative health services

Introduced
04/15/2015

In Committee
04/15/2015

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
07/31/2016

Introduced Session

189th General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to provide for consumer access to and disclosure of complementary and alternative health services. Public Health.

AI Summary

This bill aims to provide consumers with better access to and information about complementary and alternative health services, which are defined as various healing therapies and health maintenance methods not otherwise prohibited. It clarifies that practitioners of these services, who are not licensed healthcare providers, will not be in violation of consumer protection laws, specifically Chapter 93A (Massachusetts' consumer protection law), unless they fail to provide required disclosures or engage in prohibited activities. Before providing services for the first time, practitioners must give clients a written document detailing their name, address, services offered, qualifications, and a recommendation to inform their regular healthcare providers, and confirm the client received this information. The bill also prohibits unlicensed practitioners from performing certain medical procedures like surgery, prescribing drugs, making medical diagnoses, or claiming to be a licensed healthcare provider. Advertisements for these services must clearly state if the practitioner is not a licensed healthcare provider in the Commonwealth for those services. Licensed healthcare providers can still offer these services as long as they comply with the disclosure requirements, and they will not be penalized for consulting with or referring to compliant practitioners.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Sal DiDomenico (D)*,

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see S2199 (on 03/28/2016)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/S1136

(8 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/S1136
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/S1136.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H81	Relative to health disparities council	Accompanied a study order, see H4614	Similar To
S1230	Resolve establishing an advisory committee on the accessibility of fresh food retail in communities throughout the Commonwealth	Accompanied a study order, see S2199	Similar To
S1565	To clarify the net-worth measure of the corporate excise	Accompanied a new draft, see H3639	Similar To
S2081	To protect access to confidential healthcare	New draft substituted as amended, see S2138	Similar To
S2138	To protect access to confidential healthcare	Committee recommended ought to pass and referred to the to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling	Similar To
S2199	Public health issues	Reported (in part) by S1231	Replaced by
S603	To improve the accessibility and affordability of naloxone and other pharmaceutical drugs of public health concern	Substituted by S2022, amended	Similar To
S649	To promote the accessibility, quality and continuity of care for consumers of behavioral health, substance use disorder and mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see S2356	Similar To

Bill > S1136

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

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