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HD 4166

An Act relative to APOL1 mediated kidney disease

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Homar Gomez and 3 co-sponsors

The bill requires the Massachusetts DPH to review APOL1 gene variants related to kidney disease and issue a report with recommendations on awareness, screening, testing, and fundin

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Bill Summary · HD 4166

Summary: An Act relative to APOL1 mediated kidney disease (HD 4166)

Overview

  • Bill number: House Docket No. 4166
  • Title: An Act relative to APOL1 mediated kidney disease
  • Introduced: January 17, 2025 (House File No. 2435; petition by Rep. Gómez and Sen. Gómez)
  • Purpose: To require the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to review APOL1 gene variants linked to increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and to issue a report with recommendations on awareness, screening, and genetic testing, plus analysis of strategies and funding to support such activities.

Key Provisions

  • New statutory requirement: Insert a new Section 245 into Chapter 111 of the General Laws (inserted after section 244).
  • Content of the required DPH review and report:
    1. Recommendations on increasing awareness of APOL1, including screening and genetic testing.
    2. Analysis of strategies and funding necessary to increase screening and genetic testing for APOL1 in the Commonwealth.
    3. Other relevant information or issues identified by the Department.
  • Filing deadline: DPH must file the report with the clerks of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate, and the Joint Committee on Public Health no later than December 31, 2026.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary actors: Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and, by extension, health policymakers and public health programs.
  • Indirectly affected: Massachusetts residents at risk for APOL1-associated kidney disease and stakeholders involved in kidney disease screening, genetic testing, and public health education.

Timeline & Procedural Aspects

  • Filing/Introduction: January 17, 2025 (House Docket No. 4166; accompanying bill House No. 2435)
  • Report due: December 31, 2026
  • Process: The bill directs DPH to conduct the review and prepare a report, to be shared with the General Court’s clerks and the Joint Committee on Public Health.

Potential Impact

  • Public health awareness: Could raise knowledge about APOL1 variants and their link to ESRD among clinicians, patients, and the broader public.
  • Screening/testing considerations: May inform future state decisions on whether and how to implement screening and genetic testing for APOL1, including potential funding strategies.
  • Policy development: The report could lay groundwork for subsequent legislation or programmatic initiatives related to kidney disease risk assessment and prevention.

Financial and Policy Considerations

  • The act does not establish funding or a mandated screening program in its current form; it requires analysis of funding strategies in the DPH report.
  • Any future actions would depend on the department’s findings and the General Court’s review of the report.

Next Steps

  • If enacted, DPH would perform the required review and publish the findings by December 31, 2026.
  • The General Court could use the report to determine whether further legislation or funding is warranted to address APOL1-related kidney disease in Massachusetts.

Note: The status provided here reflects the bill text and requirements as filed; current status may have changed.

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

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