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Bill

SD 999

An Act designating September as PCOS awareness month

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Lewis and 1 co-sponsor

Requires the Massachusetts governor to annually proclaim September as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month to boost public awareness and promote earlier diagnosis and care.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 999

Summary: An Act designating September as PCOS awareness month (SD 999)

Objective

Designate September as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) Awareness Month in Massachusetts and require an annual gubernatorial proclamation to promote public awareness, education, and earlier diagnosis and care for PCOS.

What the bill would do

  • Create a new provision in Chapter 6 of the General Laws, inserting a new Section 15MMMMMM.
  • The governor would annually issue a proclamation setting apart September as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month.
  • The proclamation is intended to increase public awareness of PCOS as a common endocrine (hormone) disorder in women, with the goal of supporting better education and earlier diagnoses, interventions, and care.
  • The proclamation would also recommend that September be observed in an appropriate manner by the people of the Commonwealth.

Key provisions and language

  • Insertion: “Section 15MMMMMM. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart the month of September as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month to increase citizens' awareness of the most common endocrine (hormone) disorder in women, in order to lead to better education and thus earlier diagnoses, intervention and care. The proclamation shall recommend that the month of September be observed in an appropriate manner by the people.”
  • No funding appropriation or specific programs are authorized; the bill focuses on the ceremonial proclamation and public awareness.

Affected parties and impact

  • Primary: Office of the Governor (proclamation issuance) and the general public in Massachusetts.
  • Potential indirect impacts: PCOS advocacy groups, healthcare providers, educators, and public health organizations may leverage the proclamation to promote awareness campaigns, screening, and education during September.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Senate filed: January 15, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 999; Senate No. 2173).
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight (2025-02-27); House concurrence noted (2025-02-27).
  • Status: Described as “House concurred.” The measure appears in the 2025-2026 General Court (same bill number carried forward from a similar measure in 2023-2024).
  • Related actions: Similar matter previously filed as Senate Bill No. 2030 in 2023-2024.

Practical notes

  • The bill codifies an annual gubernatorial proclamation rather than creating new programs or funding.
  • Its effectiveness depends on annual issuance by the governor and public engagement surrounding PCOS awareness campaigns in September.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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