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HD 1135

An Act recognizing EMS as a disease dangerous to the public health, requiring inclusion in MAVEN, establishing the Massachusetts EMS registry and requiring biennial reporting as part of population health trends

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tricia Farley-Bouvier

Bill designates EMS as a reportable disease threat, establishes a state registry, and requires biennial health trend reporting through Massachusetts' disease surveillance network.

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Bill Summary · HD 1135

Legislative bill overview

This bill designates EMS (Emergency Medical Services) as a disease dangerous to public health and requires its inclusion in MAVEN (Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiology Network), creates a state EMS registry, and mandates biennial reporting on EMS prevalence as part of population health trend analysis. The legislation treats EMS similarly to other communicable or significant health conditions tracked for public health surveillance purposes.

Why is this important

EMS prevalence data could inform public health resource allocation, research priorities, and prevention strategies if the condition represents a substantial health burden. Systematic tracking through existing health surveillance infrastructure (MAVEN) would create standardized data collection rather than fragmented reporting, potentially improving understanding of disease trends across demographics and regions.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The bill doesn't specify which EMS condition(s) qualify or how severity thresholds are determined, which could affect who gets reported and counted in the registry
  • Privacy and reporting burden: Healthcare providers and labs may face administrative costs and privacy concerns with mandatory disease reporting requirements, particularly if EMS is broadly defined
  • Public health classification debate: Medical professionals may dispute whether EMS meets standard criteria for mandatory disease surveillance, given that many conditions with comparable health impacts aren't classified this way

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

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