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HD 286

An Act establishing an emergency responder yellow dot program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Joe McKenna

Voluntary Yellow Dot program gives responders critical medical info from a signed form and car decal when patients can't communicate, improving care.

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Bill Summary · HD 286

Summary: An Act Establishing an Emergency Responder Yellow Dot Program (HD 286)

Purpose and intent

  • Create a voluntary, state-run Yellow Dot program to provide emergency responders with critical health information for program participants who are involved in motor vehicle emergencies or accidents and cannot communicate.
  • Add statutory authority to Chapter 90 to implement, educate about, and regulate the program.

Key provisions (highlights)

  • Amends Chapter 90 by inserting new Section 11A detailing the Yellow Dot program.
  • Definitions:
    • “Emergency responder”: EMS personnel, paramedics, physicians, nurses on scene or accompanying a patient, firefighters, and law enforcement on scene.
    • “Program participant”: an individual who completes a health information form and affixes the program’s yellow decal to their vehicle.
    • “Yellow dot program”: the voluntary registry-based program to share critical medical information with responders.
  • Components provided to participants: 1) A standard medical information form with: name, a recent photograph (within 5 years), emergency contacts (up to 2), medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, medications, specific medical instructions, hospital preference, up to 2 physicians’ contacts, and the completion date. Form states the program is a facilitator and that the participant provides the information voluntarily. 2) A yellow decal to affix to the rear driver's side window. 3) A yellow envelope to place the health information card in the glove compartment. 4) A program instruction sheet.
  • How responders use the information:
    • Identify the participant and determine potential medical conditions that affect communication.
    • Contact emergency contacts about location and general condition.
    • Consider medications and pre-existing conditions when treating injuries.
  • Privacy and misuse protections:
    • Unauthorized use or sale of yellow dot information may be treated as identity theft under state law (MGL Ch. 266, §37E).
    • Liability protections: responders and their employers are shielded from liability for good-faith actions or failures to contact the emergency contact, except in cases of wanton or willful misconduct; health care providers relying on the information in good faith are likewise shielded.
  • Public education and coordination:
    • Registrar (Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles) must run a public education campaign and provide materials to state agencies and eligible organizations.
    • Registrar must notify the Executive Office of Public Safety so responders are informed about the program.
  • Funding and administration:
    • Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) may accept donations and grants (including federal safety funds) to cover development and implementation costs.

Who is affected

  • Individuals choosing to participate by obtaining and displaying the yellow dot materials.
  • Emergency medical responders, police, firefighters, and other on-scene responders who may rely on the information.
  • Health care providers who may receive and act on the information in good faith.
  • State agencies (RMV, MassDOT, EOPSS) involved in registration, education, and coordination.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill proposes a new program within the RMV registry structure; materials available in offices, online, and in bulk to partner organizations.
  • Public education campaigns and interagency coordination are required.
  • Funding mechanisms include potential donations and grants to MassDOT for program development and implementation.
  • Status: The user-provided status field is not filled; version content indicates introduction activity in 2025 sessions (with a similar matter previously filed in 2023–24).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increased ability for responders to deliver timely, informed care to uncommunicative patients.
  • Balances benefit with privacy protections and misuse safeguards.
  • Requires ongoing coordination, funding, and public engagement to ensure participation and data security.

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

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