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H 5437

An Act to ensure appropriate and timely emergency medical response

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Homar Gomez

Expands the definition of serious bodily injury and requires rapid emergency response, explicitly including 911 calls, when injuries arise from crimes or duty-bound omissions.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · H 5437

Summary: An Act to ensure appropriate and timely emergency medical response (Massachusetts, 194th General Court)

  • Bill number and session: House Bill 5437, filed December 4, 2025, in the 194th General Court (Massachusetts). Joint petition by Rep. Homar Gómez and Sen. Joanne M. Comerford.

  • Purpose and intent: The bill amends existing law to clarify and strengthen definitions related to crimes and injuries for purposes of reporting and enforcement, with a focus on ensuring appropriate and timely emergency medical response. It broadens terminology to recognize serious injuries that may require emergency medical attention and to highlight the role of emergency services, including dialing 911.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Expanded definition of serious bodily injury

    • Adds language to define “serious bodily injury” as injury creating a substantial and imminent risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or loss/impaired function of a bodily part or organ.
    • This expands the scope of injuries that may be treated with heightened emergency response or reporting.

  2. Clarified scope of “crime” and associated reporting

    • Amends existing language to include injuries arising from criminal acts or related omissions by others under a duty to act.
    • Signals that certain injuries may trigger emergency reporting or response requirements.

  3. Expanded reference to emergency response actions

    • Adds explicit language that emergency response may include dialing the emergency telephone access number 911 (or its local equivalent).
    • Emphasizes the role of immediate emergency communication as part of proper response to incidents.

Who and what is affected

  • Law enforcement and public safety reporting: The changes affect how certain injuries are categorized in statute, potentially altering reporting and response obligations for crimes resulting in serious bodily injury.
  • Victims of crime and responders: Individuals who suffer serious bodily injuries in the context of criminal acts or omissions by a duty-bound actor may be afforded clearer recognition and faster emergency response.
  • Emergency medical services (EMS) and 911 systems: By expressly acknowledging 911 as a mechanism for emergency response, the bill reinforces the critical role of EMS and dispatch.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Action history:
    • Referred to the House Rules Committee on December 8, 2025.
    • In 2026, the Senate concurred with changes; the bill advanced through referred committees and joint rules processes, with reports and suspensions of rules noted.
  • Current status as of latest available record: Senate concurrence achieved on May 18, 2026, indicating alignment between House and Senate on final form or in-principle agreement, pending any final formal steps for enactment.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The bill clarifies terminology to ensure that certain injuries are recognized as serious and warrant immediate emergency medical attention.
  • By explicitly mentioning 911 in the statute, it reinforces standard operating procedures for first responders and dispatch services.
  • The expansion may influence training, reporting requirements, and interagency coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, and EMS when serious injuries occur in the context of criminal activity or failure to act by a duty-bound individual.

Note: The summary reflects the text and legislative history available, focusing on substantive changes to definitions and emergency response requirements.

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

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