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SD 1950

An Act providing for consumer access to and the right to practice complementary and alternative health care services

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nick Collins

Creates a regulated path for unlicensed CAM providers with disclosure, consent, and confidentiality, limiting high-risk practices while expanding consumer access to CAM services.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1950

Summary: Senate Bill SD 1950 – An Act Providing for Consumer Access to and the Right to Practice Complementary and Alternative Health Care Services

Overview

SD 1950, entitled “An Act providing for consumer access to and the right to practice complementary and alternative health care services,” proposes a framework for unlicensed practitioners who offer complementary and alternative health care (CAM) services in Massachusetts. The bill has progressed to form with the House concurring and was introduced February 27, 2025. It amends Chapter 112 of the General Laws to create a new Section 276 governing CAM practitioners and services.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a regulated path for individuals who provide CAM services but are not licensed, certified, or registered by the Commonwealth.
  • Establish disclosure, consent, and recordkeeping requirements to inform clients and protect their confidentiality.
  • Limit CAM activities to those not prohibited by the bill and prevent misrepresentation as licensed health care providers.

Key provisions

New Section 276 of Chapter 112

  • Definition of terms:
    • “Complementary and alternative health care practitioner”: an individual who provides CAM services for remuneration or publicly presents as a CAM provider but is not licensed, certified, or registered as a health care practitioner by Massachusetts.
    • “Complementary and alternative health care services”: the broad domain of health and healing therapies not prohibited by the bill’s subsection (e).
  • Disclosure requirements (before first service):
    • Practitioner’s name, title, business address, and telephone number.
    • Description of the CAM services to be provided.
    • Qualifications (degrees, training, credentials) relevant to the CAM services.
    • Statement that client records and transactions are confidential unless written release is authorized or required by law.
  • Written acknowledgment:
    • Client must acknowledge receipt of the information described above, with the acknowledgment retained by the practitioner for 2 years.
  • Prohibitions (subsection e): CAM practitioners may not engage in:
    • Surgery or puncturing the skin;
    • Use of radiation, radioactive substances, or anesthesia;
    • Prescription or administration of fluoroscopy;
    • Prescription drugs, controlled substances, or prescription medical devices;
    • Medical disease diagnosis;
    • Chiropractic adjustments;
    • Representing that they practice massage therapy;
    • Advertise or imply they hold status as a licensed health care provider.
  • Protections for licensed professionals (subsection f): The section does not interfere with licensed health care professionals practicing lawfully under existing laws.
  • General provision (subsection g): The section does not prevent any person from engaging in activity otherwise permitted by law.

Effect and implementation

  • Effective date (Section 2): Section 1 takes effect January 1, 2024. Note the retroactive-feel in the date relative to the 2025 filing, which may reflect transitional or drafting considerations.

Affected parties

  • CAM practitioners without state licenses: Subject to disclosure, acknowledgment, and confidentiality obligations; prohibited from restricted activities.
  • Clients/patients receiving CAM services: Benefit from required information and consent processes; confidentiality protections.
  • Licensed health care professionals: Largely unaffected in terms of licensing requirements but protected by the bill’s limits on CAM claims.
  • Regulatory and public health oversight: Potential new regulatory touchpoints for consumer protection, licensing boards, and public health enforcement.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Filed January 17, 2025; introduced as Senate Bill No. 1950.
  • Legislative actions: referred to the Public Health Committee on February 27, 2025; House concurred on the same date.
  • Related: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-24 (Senate No. 1329).

This bill would expand consumer access to CAM services while imposing specific disclosure and non-diagnostic limitations, aiming to balance consumer protection with alternative health care practices.

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

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