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S 2730

Requires mandatory health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Ortt

Promotes a Massachusetts blue economy by funding circular-economy education, small-business grants, ocean-research grants, and a BlueSTEAM education fund with EJ priorities.

REFERRED TO INSURANCE
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Bill Summary · S 2730

Summary — S. 2730 (2025): "An Act relative to a future blue economy"

Note on data inconsistencies
- The provided bill metadata (title: “Requires mandatory health insurance coverage for prosthetic devices”; sponsors; “REFERRED TO INSURANCE”) does not match the bill text included. The text of S. 2730 filed in the Massachusetts Senate (194th General Court) is an Act to promote a “blue economy” in Massachusetts (filed 11/14/2025). This summary focuses on the actual bill text supplied. Users should verify official chamber records for final titles, sponsors, and procedural history.

Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to accelerate development of a sustainable and equitable “blue economy” in Massachusetts by: (1) promoting circular-economy practices for businesses and residents, (2) funding research and technology development to improve ocean health and responsible ocean use, and (3) expanding blue-economy education, workforce training, and job placement at the high‑school level — with priority for environmental justice (EJ) communities.

Key provisions
1. Definitions and agency responsibilities
- Adds new sections to existing Massachusetts General Laws: Chapter 21 (adds Section 68), Chapter 21A (adds Section 29), and Chapter 69 (adds Section 1U).
- Defines “circular economy,” “department” (Department of Environmental Protection), and ties “environmental justice population” to existing statutory definition.

  1. Circular economy education and small-business grants (Ch. 21, §68)

    • DEP must create an education/outreach program explaining circular-economy principles and participation.
    • Subject to appropriation, DEP will run a competitive grant program for small businesses to support transition to circular practices.
    • Eligible applicants: businesses incorporated in, licensed in, or with a location in Massachusetts.
    • Grants must provide a measurable economic benefit to Massachusetts.
    • Application evaluation must prioritize: certified minority- and women‑owned businesses; businesses located within EJ populations; and businesses that provide substantial benefit to EJ populations.
    • DEP to promulgate regulations to implement the program.

  2. Ocean research & technology grant program (Ch. 21A, §29)

    • Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (subject to appropriation) to create grant program for Massachusetts nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses for ocean-health research, R&D of ocean technologies, investment/expansion of beneficial technology, and study of economic/industry impacts.
    • Eligibility: entities incorporated in, licensed in, or located in Massachusetts.
    • Grants should provide measurable economic benefit to the Massachusetts ocean economy.
    • Award priorities: measurable environmental or coastal community benefit; use of best-available prototypes; equity and inclusivity outcomes; and projects promoting time-series data. Secretary to promulgate implementing rules.

  3. Blue-economy education fund (Ch. 69, §1U)

    • Subject to appropriation, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will establish a Blue Economy Education Fund to support Massachusetts high schools in expanding Blue‑STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) education, workforce training, and job placement in ocean-sector careers.
    • Application process to be created; funding prioritized to high schools located in or serving large shares of students from EJ communities.

Who is affected
- Massachusetts residents and businesses (particularly small businesses, minority‑ and women‑owned enterprises), nonprofits and academic researchers, high schools and students (especially in EJ communities), coastal communities, and state agencies (DEP; Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs; Department of Elementary and Secondary Education). The broader Massachusetts ocean economy may see research, innovation, and workforce impacts.

Fiscal and procedural notes
- All programs are subject to appropriation (no mandatory funding levels specified).
- Agencies are required to promulgate regulations/rules to implement programs and have discretion in awarding grants among similarly ranked applicants.
- Bill text filed 11/14/2025; committee actions reported 11/24/2025 (reported favorably by Environment & Natural Resources committee and referred to Senate Ways & Means according to the provided record). Verify current procedural status in official legislative tracking.

Potential impacts
- Could stimulate ocean-related R&D and commercialization, support small-business transitions to circular practices, and build a Blue‑STEAM pipeline in high schools — with explicit prioritization to advance equity in EJ communities.
- Scale and effectiveness depend on appropriations, rulemaking detail, and administrative implementation.

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

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