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S2852

194th

An Act relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts

StatusActive Amendments0 SponsorJoint Committee on Public Health CommitteeNot yet assigned

malegislature.gov ↗ · Download PDF · View Text on malegislature.gov

Senate, January 15, 2026 -- The committee on Public Health to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1597) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2852).

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Date	Branch	Action
1/15/2026	Senate	1/15/2026 SenateBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
1/15/2026	Senate	1/15/2026 SenateNew draft of S1597 ↗
1/15/2026	Senate	1/15/2026 SenateReported from the committee on Public Health

Cosponsor
Patrick M. O'Connor

Committee	Recommendation	Vote
J16	Redraft	1 entries

Bill	Title	Status
S1597	An Act relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts	Active

2 section(s) · formatted for easier reading

▸SECTION 1

The department of public health shall design and implement a public awareness campaign, subject to appropriation, to promote healthy and active lifestyles. The campaign shall promote subjects including, but not limited to, safe and responsible approaches to exercise in gyms and indoor or outdoor exercise facilities and healthy habits to improve immune, respiratory, and other systems of the body to support disease prevention. Promotion methods shall include, but not be limited to, television and website advertisements, infographic displays in public places, and the adoption of a memorable slogan.

▸SECTION 2

The department of public health shall establish and set up on the books of the Commonwealth a gym membership subsidy program for the purpose of incentivizing public and private employers to offer free gym memberships for employees. The department shall design and implement an application system whereby employers may apply for partial or full reimbursement for the costs of offering employees free gym memberships. The department acting under such program shall prioritize applicants who do not contract with a health insurance provider that offers gym membership reimbursements.

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	SECTION 1. The department of public health shall design and implement a public awareness campaign, subject to appropriation, to promote healthy and active lifestyles. The campaign shall promote subjects including, but not limited to, safe and responsible approaches to exercise in gyms and indoor or outdoor exercise facilities and healthy habits to improve immune, respiratory, and other systems of the body to support disease prevention. Promotion methods shall include, but not be limited to, television and website advertisements, infographic displays in public places, and the adoption of a memorable slogan. 
	SECTION 2. The department of public health shall establish and set up on the books of the Commonwealth a gym membership subsidy program for the purpose of incentivizing public and private employers to offer free gym memberships for employees. The department shall design and implement an application system whereby employers may apply for partial or full reimbursement for the costs of offering employees free gym memberships. The department acting under such program shall prioritize applicants who do not contract with a health insurance provider that offers gym membership reimbursements.