Bill
H 2422
Establishes MA DPH PD public info program to raise awareness, distribute English/Spanish PD booklets, train non-medical responders, and publish a non-endorsement PD services list.
Overview
- Purpose: Establish a Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) public information and education program to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease (PD) and emphasize the value of early detection. The program is to be developed in consultation with the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.
- Status: Introduced February 27, 2025; referred to Public Health; hearing held June 11, 2025 (06/11/2025); reporting date extended to October 9, 2025. Related action includes Senate concurrence and a related bill replacement (HD 736).
What the bill would do
- Create a state-wide PD information and education program led by DPH to inform the public about PD, including causes, diagnostic procedures, lifestyle considerations, safety, and access to diagnostic and treatment services.
- Produce and disseminate informational booklets about PD to licensed health care facilities, health professionals, community health centers, and the general public upon request. Booklets would be available in English and Spanish and can be updated as new information becomes available.
- Develop educational programs for non-healthcare personnel who may encounter PD patients in the line of work, including judicial staff, police, firefighters, social services, and emergency medical services, to help them recognize symptoms and respond appropriately. These programs would include distribution of the informational booklet.
- Create and maintain a list of current providers offering specialized PD diagnosis and treatment services, including a description of diagnostic procedures. The list must include a disclaimer that DPH does not endorse specific PD programs or centers in the state.
- Effective date: The act would take effect on the 180th day after enactment.
Key provisions by section
- Section 1: Establishes the PD public information and education program; outlines outreach topics (causes, diagnostics, lifestyle, safety, service availability).
- Section 2: Requires creation of PD informational booklets; distribution to facilities, professionals, centers, and the public; availability in English and Spanish; allows revisions.
- Section 3: Requires educational programs for non-healthcare responders (judicial, law enforcement, fire services, social services, EMS) and dissemination of the booklet.
- Section 4: Requires a current PD services provider list with diagnostic procedure descriptions; includes non-endorsement language for programs/centers.
- Section 5: States the act takes effect 180 days after enactment.
Who would be affected
- State: Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
- Partners: Massachusetts Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.
- Stakeholders: Licensed health care facilities, health care professionals, community health centers, general public.
- Public service sectors: Judicial staff, police, fire departments, social services, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
- PD service providers: Entities offering specialized PD diagnosis and treatment (listed by DPH).
Additional notes
- The bill is a successor/related measure to prior PD public awareness legislation (HD 2170 of 2023-2024) and is connected to HD 736.
- No specific funding authorization is listed in the text provided; implementation would rely on DPH resources as appropriated.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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