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HD 1377

An Act relative to proper classification of health care workers during a public health emergency

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sally Kerans

Funeral directors and funeral workers would be prioritized for vaccines and related products alongside health care providers during public health emergencies when supplies are limi

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Bill Summary · HD 1377

Summary of House Bill HD 1377 (An Act relative to proper classification of health care workers during a public health emergency)

Overview

  • Bill Number: HD 1377
  • Title: An Act relative to proper classification of health care workers during a public health emergency
  • Sponsor: Representative Sally P. Kerans (primary)
  • Session: 194th General Court (2025-2026)
  • Filed: January 14, 2025
  • Status: Filed; House Docket No. 2463. The bill is related to ensuring fair and appropriate distribution of vaccines during a public health emergency. A similar measure was previously filed in 2023-2024 (House No. 2207).

What the bill would do

  • The bill amends Chapter 111 of the General Laws by adding a new Section 5A ¾ after Section 5A ½.
  • Core aim: ensure funeral home directors and funeral workers are included in the same priority category as health care providers for access to vaccines, antitoxins, serums, or other analogous products during a public health emergency when universal administration is insufficient.

Key provisions (paraphrased)

  • Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, when the state commissioner determines that:
    • inoculation of the general public or administration of vaccines/analogous products is essential to public health, and
    • supply for universal administration is insufficient,
  • the Department shall ensure funeral home directors and funeral workers are prioritized in the same way as health care providers for access to those vaccines or analogous products.

Affected parties

  • Funeral home directors and funeral workers: expressly added to the prioritized category for access to vaccines and related public health interventions during emergencies.
  • Health care providers: remain the benchmark for prioritization, with funeral service personnel aligned to this category under the bill.
  • General public: indirectly affected by the prioritization framework during vaccine/antitoxin shortages.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The proposed amendment would take effect via insertion of Section 5A ¾ in Chapter 111.
  • It uses a “Notwithstanding” clause to override conflicting laws for the specific purpose of prioritization during emergencies.
  • The bill references the commissioner’s determinations in public health emergencies and a limited supply scenario.

Legislative history and context

  • The bill is introduced by Rep. Sally P. Kerans of the 13th Essex district.
  • It cites prior related efforts (House No. 2207 of the 2023-2024 session) indicating ongoing interest in clarifying vaccine distribution priorities during public health emergencies.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Clarifies and formalizes the prioritization framework to include funeral service professionals alongside health care providers.
  • May affect deployment planning for vaccination campaigns and distribution logistics in emergencies.
  • Could require administrative alignment across public health agencies to implement priority access rules for funeral directors/workers.
  • Implementation would depend on the commissioner’s determinations and the existence of a shortage of supplies for universal administration.

If you’d like, I can compare this measure to the earlier 2023-2024 version (House No. 2207) or draft a concise one-page briefing for policymakers.

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

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