By Representatives Higgins of Leominster and Barber of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1188) of Natalie M. Higgins, Christine P. Barber and others relative to healthcare coverage for certain gender affirming care. Financial Services.
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Date
Branch
Action
5/11/2026
House
5/11/2026 HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5397↗ (under House Rule 27)
—
House
— HouseReported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
10/2/2025
Joint
10/2/2025 JointHearing scheduled for 10/14/2025 from 10:30 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
2/27/2025
Senate
2/27/2025 SenateSenate concurred
2/27/2025
House
2/27/2025 HouseReferred to the committee on Financial Services
An Act relative to trans-inclusive health care access
Active
12 section(s) · formatted for easier reading
▸SECTION 1
Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 17S the following section:-
▸SECTION 17T
The commission shall not reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the commission require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria,.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
▸SECTION 2
Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 10Q the following section:-
▸SECTION 10R
The division shall not reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the division require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
▸SECTION 3
Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47UU the following section:-
▸SECTION 47V
V. No insurer or producer authorized to issue policies of insurance pursuant to sections 108 or 110 shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall any insurer or producer require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
▸SECTION 4
Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8VV the following section:-
▸SECTION 8W
W. No corporation subject to this chapter shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the corporation require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
▸SECTION 5
Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV the following section:-
▸SECTION 4W
W. No corporation subject to this chapter shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the corporation require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria,.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
▸SECTION 6
Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4NN the following section:-
▸SECTION 4O
O. No health maintenance organization subject to this chapter, and no officer or agent thereof, shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall a health maintenance organization require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria,.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
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SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 17S the following section:-
Section 17T. The commission shall not reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the commission require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria,.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 10Q the following section:-
Section 10R. The division shall not reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the division require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
SECTION 3. Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 47UU the following section:-
Section 47VV. No insurer or producer authorized to issue policies of insurance pursuant to sections 108 or 110 shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall any insurer or producer require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
SECTION 4. Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 8VV the following section:-
Section 8WW. No corporation subject to this chapter shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the corporation require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
SECTION 5. Chapter 176B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 4VV the following section:-
Section 4WW. No corporation subject to this chapter shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall the corporation require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria,.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
SECTION 6. Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 4NN the following section:-
Section 4OO. No health maintenance organization subject to this chapter, and no officer or agent thereof, shall reject a written verification or certification from a health care provider, including, but not limited to, a qualified mental health care professional, for accessing gender-affirming care, unless the written verification or certification clearly does not satisfy minimum requirements under established clinical guidelines, nor shall a health maintenance organization require more than one written verification or certification that the care is required for the treatment of gender dysphoria,.
For purposes of this section, the term “qualified mental health care professional” shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, mean a mental health professional who meets the minimum credentials, training and standards of care for working with gender dysphoric adults and adolescents developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.