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S1613 • 2025

An Act to increase access to health transportation

An Act to increase access to health transportation

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Jacob R. Oliveira
Last action
2026-03-19
Official status
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act to increase access to health transportation

An Act to increase access to health transportation By Mr.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act to increase access to health transportation By Mr.
  • Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.
  • 1613) of Jacob R.
  • Oliveira for legislation to provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-19 Senate

    Reporting date extended to Friday July 31, 2026

  2. 2025-06-16 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 06/23/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-1

  3. 2025-06-16 Joint

    Hearing rescheduled to 06/23/2025 from 09:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Referred to the committee on Public Health

  5. 2025-02-27 House

    House concurred

Official Summary Text

An Act to increase access to health transportation
By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1613) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients. Public Health.
Status:
Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill S.1613

Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 245. A hospital or a home health agency shall provide access to health transportation for vulnerable patients, including geographically-isolated, low income, English language challenged, illiterate, having a disability, or elder adults struggling with dementia.

As used in this section, the term “appointment companion” shall mean a person who, at the request of a patient, is provided through a hospital or home health agency that ensures a patient is taken to and from their appointments whether in a patient’s own transportation, public transportation or health care transportation.

An appointment companion shall not be responsible for any costs that the patient accrues related to transportation.

A hospital or a home health agency shall ensure an easier process and effective coordination to access to health transportation. Patient online accounts shall include a section to request transportation services for an appointment companion for vulnerable patients includes those in geographically-isolated, low income, English language challenged, illiterate, have a disability, or elder adults struggling with dementia.

If a medical appointment for which a patient has requested transportation is scheduled, the request shall automatically transfer to future appointments.

The department of public health shall promulgate regulations to implement this section.

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