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S 1500

Authorizes an increase in the maximum speed limit for travel on certain roadways

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom O'Mara and 1 co-sponsor

The bill tightens who can use medical titles and requires clear, on-site licensure identification in advertising and patient encounters to boost health care transparency.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 1500

Summary — S.1500 (2025) — “An Act relative to health care transparency”

Note on inconsistent metadata
- The bill text filed as Senate No. 1500 amends Massachusetts General Laws chapter 112 and concerns health care transparency. Some metadata provided (title referencing speed limits and a list of federal senators as sponsors) appears inconsistent with the bill text. This summary reflects the bill language in the docketed Senate No. 1500 (filed 1/17/2025). Verify status on the official Massachusetts legislative website for final procedural tracking.

Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to increase transparency about the licensure and credentials of health care practitioners in Massachusetts. It (1) tightens restrictions on who may use the title “physician” or related specialist titles, and (2) requires practitioners to conspicuously identify their specific licensure in advertising and during patient encounters.

Key provisions
1. Replaces current section 8A of chapter 112
- Prohibits anyone not registered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine as a physician under section 2 from using the title “physician” or implying they practice medicine.
- Explicitly prohibits use or implication of many specialty titles (e.g., “surgeon,” “medical doctor,” “M.D.,” “cardiologist,” “pediatrician,” “psychiatrist,” etc.) by unregistered persons.
- Carves out permitted uses for:
- “Chiropractic physician” for those licensed under sections 89–97,
- “Podiatric physician” for those licensed under sections 13–22,
- “Physician assistant” for those licensed under sections 9C–9K.
- Penalties for violation: fine of $100–$1,000 and/or imprisonment 30 days–1 year in the house of corrections, or both.

  1. Adds new section 290 to chapter 112 (definitions and identification requirements)
    • Definitions: clarifies “advertisement,” “deceptive or misleading,” “health care practitioner,” and “licensee.”
    • Advertising: Any advertisement naming a health care practitioner must identify the specific type of license and be free of deceptive/misleading statements about training, board certification, skills, licensure, etc.
    • On-site identification requirements:
      • Practitioners must wear a photo identification name tag during all patient encounters that includes: (i) recent photo, (ii) practitioner’s name, (iii) type of license, and (iv) license expiration date. Tag must be conspicuous and readable.
      • Practitioners must display in their office a written notice that clearly identifies the practitioner’s type of license; visible to current and prospective patients.
    • Multi-site practitioners: must comply at each practice location.
    • Supervising physicians: MDs or DOs who supervise or collaborate with non-physician practitioners must conspicuously post the regular hours they will be present at each office.
    • Exemption: practitioners who do not have direct patient care interactions (non-patient-care settings) are not subject to these requirements.
    • Enforcement: Violation of any provision is declared a violation of chapter 93A (Massachusetts consumer protection law).

Who would be affected
- All health care practitioners who provide patient care in Massachusetts (physicians, osteopaths, physician assistants, nurses and other licensed practitioners depending on scope), medical groups, clinics, hospitals, and private practices that advertise services.
- Patients and consumers would receive clearer information about provider licensure and presence.
- Supervising physicians who collaborate with non-physicians (must post on-site schedules).
- Businesses and practitioners that use titles and advertising content would face regulatory and potential civil liability under chapter 93A for noncompliance.

Enforcement and penalties
- Unauthorized use of physician titles: criminal penalties (fine and/or incarceration) as stated above.
- Failure to comply with identification, advertising or posting requirements: treated as a chapter 93A violation — which may expose respondents to civil remedies (damages, injunctive relief, attorney’s fees) under Massachusetts consumer protection law.

Procedural status (from provided record — verify official source)
- Filed/Senate docketed: 01/17/2025 (Senate No. 1500, presented by John J. Cronin).
- Referred to committees: records show referral to Public Health (and other committee references in supplied metadata are inconsistent).
- Hearing scheduled: July 14, 2025 (per supplied calendar entries).
- The supplied status line also lists “REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION” which appears inconsistent with the bill’s subject matter; confirm current referral and status on the legislature’s website.

Related/precedent notes
- Bill references a similar prior filing (Senate No. 1348 of 2023–2024).
- Because violations are tied to chapter 93A, affected parties or consumers may have private civil remedies in addition to regulatory enforcement.

Recommendation
- For official text, current status, amendments, and official sponsors, consult the Massachusetts Legislature’s website or contact the Senate Clerk. If implementing or complying with these provisions, health care organizations should prepare updated badge/ID formats, office postings, advertising review processes, and supervisory-hour postings.

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

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