An Act relative to health care quality for children and youth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Patrick Kearney and 2 co-sponsors

The bill requires all physical and mental health care for children in state custody to meet or exceed American Academy of Pediatrics standards and expands the department’s oversigh

Overview

HD 1805 is a proposed Massachusetts bill in the 2025-2026 session that seeks to raise the standard and quality of health care for children and youth. The bill would align physical and mental health services with current pediatric community-level standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and would expand the Department’s role to monitor and enforce medical contracts for children in state care.

Key language from the bill (as introduced) specifies:
- Section 1: “Physical health and mental health services shall meet or exceed current pediatric community level standards of care as set by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which shall include, but not limited to, preventative health care, health promotion, and continuity of care.”
- Section 2: The department’s responsibility would include “monitoring and enforcement of medical contracts to improve medical care access and quality for children in the care and custody of the department.”

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

1) Establish pediatric care standards
- Mandates that both physical and mental health services for children meet or exceed pediatric community-level standards established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Emphasizes core areas: preventive care, health promotion, and continuity of care.

2) Expand monitoring and enforcement authority
- Extends the department’s duties to monitor and enforce medical contracts to improve access to and quality of medical care for children in the department’s care and custody (likely referring to the Department of Children and Families given the reference to “care and custody of the department”).

Who/what would be affected

Children and youth under state care or custody (e.g., in the care of the state's child welfare system).

Pediatric and other health care providers serving these children.

The Massachusetts department referenced (likely the Department of Children and Families) responsible for oversight of medical contracts and care quality.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: The document provided does not include a current status; the bill is described as a proposed measure in the 2025-2026 General Court.

Docket/Origin: House Docket No. 1805; Filed January 15, 2025; Presented by Rep. Greg Schwartz (and co-sponsors listed in the petition).

Implementation timeline: The text does not specify an effective date. As a proposed bill, it would proceed through the committee process, potential amendments, and floor votes before any enactment.

Potential impact and considerations

Quality of care: Aligning with AAP standards could raise the baseline for preventive care, chronic disease management, mental health services, and care continuity for youth.

Access and accountability: Enhanced monitoring and enforcement of medical contracts may improve access to timely care and clarify accountability for contracted providers.

Resource needs: Implementation would require administrative capacity for ongoing monitoring, contract oversight, and potential adjustments to funding.

Note: There is a discrepancy between the introduced date listed (November 29, 2025) and the docket information showing a filing date of January 15, 2025. Readers should verify the current status and latest text in the official Massachusetts Legislature resources.

Bill