Relates to eligibility for the temporary assistance to needy families block grant program, safety net assistance and medical assistance for certain noncitizens

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare

The bill creates a licensure pathway and regulatory oversight for electrologists and electrolysis in Massachusetts, standardizing qualifications for gender-affirming hair removal.

REFERRED TO SOCIAL SERVICES

Summary — S. 710 (Massachusetts): "An Act relative to gender‑affirming hair removal treatment"

Status: Filed Jan 10, 2025 (Senate Docket No. 272); introduced/printed as S. 710; referred to committee(s). Hearing scheduled 09/17/2025 (per provided record).
Primary focus (per bill text): create a licensure pathway and statutory recognition for electrologists and for electrolysis within Massachusetts allied‑health statutes — framed in title as relating to gender‑affirming hair removal treatment.

Purpose and intent

The bill adds licensed electrologists and “electrolysis” explicitly into Massachusetts allied health professions law. The apparent intent is to standardize training, licensure, and board oversight for electrology (permanent hair removal) — an important service for many pursuing gender‑affirming care — by incorporating electrologists into existing allied health regulatory structures.

Key provisions (by effect)

Revises chapter 13, section 11A (Board of Allied Health Professions) to expand/clarify membership and to add a licensed electrologist as one of the appointed members.

Amends multiple sections of chapter 112 (sections 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23K, 23L and related cross‑references) to insert “licensed electrologist” and “electrolysis” where appropriate, bringing electrolysis under the regulatory frame that currently governs other allied health services (e.g., physical therapy).

Creates a new statutory section, 23J½, establishing minimum licensure requirements for electrologists:

minimum age 18;
completed application and fees;
satisfied education and clinical standards established by the Massachusetts Association of Electrologists;
passed an examination adopted or administered by the board; and
completion of any additional board‑prescribed requirements.

Modifies language governing examinations, licensure eligibility, and scope references to include electrology/electrologists.

Who would be affected

Electrologists/practitioners: would be required/eligible to obtain state licensure under specified educational, clinical, and exam standards.

Board of Allied Health Professions and Department of Public Health: expanded oversight responsibilities and appointment composition.

Patients seeking hair removal services — including those obtaining gender‑affirming care — could see more standardized practitioner qualifications and potentially improved access and safety.

Employers, clinics, and educational programs offering electrology would need to align curricula and hiring to the new licensure standards.

Procedural/timeline notes and caveats

Docket/filing dates in the bill text: Senate Docket No. 272 filed 01/10/2025; introduced Feb 2025. A public hearing is listed for 09/17/2025.

Meta-data provided with sponsors and some legislative actions appears inconsistent (some listed sponsors are federal senators and other entries reference unrelated committee referrals). The summary above is based on the Massachusetts bill text supplied; verify sponsor/committee/status details with the Massachusetts Legislature’s official portal for final procedural history.