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Bill

S 682

Increases the penalties for stopping, standing, or parking in handicapped spaces without a handicapped permit

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Monica Martinez

Expands coverage to provide hospital‑grade multi‑user breast pumps, related supplies, and lactation support to eligible mothers, with rapid 24‑hour post‑discharge access.

ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
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Bill Summary · S 682

Summary — S.682 (2025): "An Act improving access to breast pumps"

Note on sources: The provided materials contain inconsistent metadata (different titles, sponsors, and committee actions). The operative legislative text supplied is the Massachusetts bill titled “An Act improving access to breast pumps.” This summary is based on that text.

Purpose

The bill requires expanded coverage and timely access to hospital‑grade “multi‑user” breast pumps, related supplies, and lactation consultant services for eligible mothers in the Commonwealth — specifically targeting mothers of newborns in intensive care or special care nurseries, or infants with cardiac, neurological, or oral anomalies that prevent direct breastfeeding.

Key provisions

  • New statutory definitions and coverage requirements are added to multiple Massachusetts statutes:
    • Chapter 32A (state group insurance) — new Section 34
    • Chapter 118E (MassHealth/Medicaid programs) — new Section 10R
    • Chapter 175 (private insurance rules) — new Section 47VV
  • Definition of “multi‑user breast pump” (required characteristics):
    • Capable of initiating and supporting milk supply; safe/hygienic for multiple users
    • Durable for heavy use (e.g., expressing ~8 times/day); long motor life
    • Closed‑system operation; electric (not battery‑only)
    • Suction capability 0–300 mmHg; multiphase or customizable vacuum/cycling
  • Coverage and access requirements:
    • Payment for rental and usage of a covered multi‑user pump for eligible mothers while infant is hospitalized or until mother stops pumping
    • The pump must be made available within 24 hours of maternal hospital discharge
    • Coverage for periodic replacement parts (connectors, valves, tubing, backflow protectors, flanges), breast milk storage bags, and microwave sterilizing bags
    • Coverage for lactation care: initial assessment, instruction and fitting by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), plus ongoing assessment/support and refitting as needed
  • Applicability:
    • State active and retired employees insured under the Group Insurance Commission
    • MassHealth, contracted insurers/plans, behavioral health firms, and third‑party administrators under Medicaid managed care or primary care clinician plans
    • Private insurance policies considered “creditable coverage” under applicable law

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: mothers of newborn infants in NICU/special care nurseries, or infants with specific anomalies that impede direct breastfeeding.
  • Payers: Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (state employee plans), MassHealth and Medicaid managed care entities, and private health insurers operating in the Commonwealth.
  • Providers/vendors: suppliers of hospital‑grade multi‑user breast pumps and IBCLCs.

Procedural status (selection of recorded actions)

  • Introduced: February 20, 2025
  • Hearing scheduled: April 29, 2025
  • Passed the Senate: May 20, 2025 (delivered to the House/Assembly thereafter)
  • Multiple committee referrals and favorable committee reports are recorded (Financial Services; Health Care Financing; Transportation; committee reports dated Nov 17, 2025). — Records in the provided file are inconsistent; consult the official Massachusetts legislative website for current status.

Potential impacts

  • Health/clinical: Improved access to hospital‑grade pumps and lactation support may increase rates of expressed breastmilk for hospitalized or medically vulnerable infants, supporting infant nutrition and maternal milk supply.
  • Financial: Insurers and state programs would incur additional costs for pump rentals, supplies, and IBCLC services; exact fiscal impact depends on utilization and negotiated reimbursement rates.
  • Operational: Requires insurers and MassHealth contractors to establish processes to deliver pumps within 24 hours post‑discharge and to cover ongoing supplies and lactation care.

Notes

  • The bill text emphasizes closed‑system, hospital‑grade multi‑user pumps (technical specs included) to ensure safety and effectiveness for shared/rental use.
  • No dollar amounts or explicit appropriation language are present in the excerpt provided; fiscal analyses would be required for budgetary effects.

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

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