Bill S.2538: An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2538
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/SenateRollCall56.pdf
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/getnews/tst_7_2_25.pdf
Somerville Times
Beacon Hill Roll Call
7/2/25
Reproductive and Transgender Care Protections (S 2538): passed Senate 37-3: to fortify protections for people seeking and providing reproductive and transgender care. The legislation would prohibit state agencies and law enforcement from cooperating with other states or federal investigations into legally protected reproductive or transgender health care provided in Massachusetts. Under the bill, businesses that manage electronic health information would similarly be limited in sharing patient data connected to these services.
Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) says, "As we face new, more unpredictable threats from a hostile federal government that is targeting those engaged in care that is legally protected under Massachusetts law, we must again stand up to defend our autonomy and the rights of Massachusetts residents."
[In opposition], Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) says, "This bill is looking to solve a problem that doesn't exist and in doing so actually creates problems. For example, the bill prevents the disclosure of health information when requested by other states even during criminal investigations. The bill also calls into question parental rights and custodial issues regarding minors from out of state who are seeking healthcare services unbeknownst to their parents."
REPRODUCTIVE AND TRANSGENDER CARE
PROTECTIONS (S 2538)
Senate 37-3 approved and sent to the House legislation that would strengthen health care protections in the Bay State. The bill is designed to fortify protections for people seeking and providing reproductive and transgender care. The legislation would prohibit state agencies and law enforcement from cooperating with other states or federal investigations into legally protected reproductive or transgender health care provided in Massachusetts
Democratic platform
p. 23
MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATS WILL FIGHT FOR:
● The right to choose when and whether or not to bear children, ensuring comprehensive
reproductive care across the lifespan, and universal access to routine contraception,
emergency contraception, and abortion.
● The protection and promotion of equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people, especially
transgender women of color and LGBTQ+ youth, and advocating for greater
protections in the workplace, education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Protect people seeking reproductive care in Massachusetts
Don't fortify protections for reproductive care patients
Protect transgender care from disclosure
This was then amended and renumbered as Bill S.2543
An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth
Final votes are attached.
Aug/8/25 Signed by Governor Maura Healey.
25-S2538MA Legislative Summary: Bill S.2538: An Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth [for transgender care].
Summary by Somerville Times, Beacon Hill Roll Call, 7/2/25: Reproductive and Transgender Care Protections (S 2538): passed Senate 37-3: to fortify protections for people seeking and providing reproductive and transgender care. The legislation would prohibit state agencies and law enforcement from cooperating with other states or federal investigations into legally protected reproductive or transgender health care provided in Massachusetts. Under the bill, businesses that manage electronic health information would similarly be limited in sharing patient data connected to these services.
Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) says, "As we face new, more unpredictable threats from a hostile federal government that is targeting those engaged in care that is legally protected under Massachusetts law, we must again stand up to defend our autonomy and the rights of Massachusetts residents."
[In opposition], Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) says, "This bill is looking to solve a problem that doesn't exist and in doing so actually creates problems. For example, the bill prevents the disclosure of health information when requested by other states even during criminal investigations. The bill also calls into question parental rights and custodial issues regarding minors from out of state who are seeking healthcare services unbeknownst to their parents."
Democratic Party Platform "Racial Justice, Equal Rights" (p. 14): Massachusetts Democrats will fight for... The protection and promotion of equal rights for all LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender women of color and LGBTQ+ youth, and advocating for greater protections in the workplace, education, housing, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Legislative Outcome: S. 2522 passed Senate 37-3 in Senate Roll Call #57 on 6/26/25; renamed as S. 2543; enacted by House in House Roll Call #72 on 7/31/25; signed by Governor as Chapter 16 on 8/7/25.
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/HouseRollCall72.pdf
25-S2538MA
MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES S. 2543 On enactment Yea and Nay 07/31/2025 03:42 PM No. 72 132 YEAS 24 NAYS 4 N/V
25-S2538MA v1y Mr. Speaker
25-S2538MA v1y Finn
25-S2538MA v1y Madaro
25-S2538MA v1y Stanley
25-S2538MA v1y Moran M.
25-S2538MA v1y Fiola
25-S2538MA v1y Mahoney
25-S2538MA x Sylvia
25-S2538MA v1y Hogan
25-S2538MA v1y Flanagan
25-S2538MA v1y Markey
25-S2538MA v1y Tarsky
25-S2538MA v1y Peisch
25-S2538MA v1y Fluker-Reid
25-S2538MA v1y McGonagle
25-S2538MA v2n Turco
25-S2538MA v1y Moran F.
25-S2538MA v1y Gallagher
25-S2538MA v1y McMurtry
25-S2538MA v1y Tyler
25-S2538MA v1y Donato
25-S2538MA v1y Galvin
25-S2538MA v1y Mendes
25-S2538MA v1y Ultrino
25-S2538MA v1y Arciero
25-S2538MA v1y Garballey
25-S2538MA v1y Meschino
25-S2538MA s3o Uyterhoeven
25-S2538MA v1y Arena-DeRosa
25-S2538MA v1y Garcia
25-S2538MA v1y Michlewitz
25-S2538MA v1y Vargas
25-S2538MA v1y Armini
25-S2538MA v2n Garry
25-S2538MA v1y Moakley
25-S2538MA v1y Vitolo
25-S2538MA v1y Arriaga
25-S2538MA s3o Gentile
25-S2538MA v1y Montaño
25-S2538MA v1y Walsh
25-S2538MA v1y Ashe
25-S2538MA v1y Giannino
25-S2538MA s3o Moran J.
25-S2538MA v1y Wells
25-S2538MA v1y Ayers
25-S2538MA v1y Gómez
25-S2538MA v1y Murphy
25-S2538MA v1y Williams
25-S2538MA v1y Badger
25-S2538MA v1y González
25-S2538MA v1y Murray
25-S2538MA v1y Worrell
25-S2538MA x Barber
25-S2538MA v1y Gordon
25-S2538MA v1y Nguyen
25-S2538MA v1y Zlotnik
25-S2538MA v1y Barrett
25-S2538MA v1y Gregoire
25-S2538MA v1y O'Day
25-S2538MA v1y --Jones--
25-S2538MA v1y Biele
25-S2538MA v1y Haggerty
25-S2538MA v1y Ouellette
25-S2538MA x Ferguson
25-S2538MA v1y Blais
25-S2538MA v1y Hamilton
25-S2538MA v1y Owens
25-S2538MA v2n Frost
25-S2538MA v1y Bowen
25-S2538MA v1y Hawkins
25-S2538MA v2n Paulino
25-S2538MA v2n Muradian
25-S2538MA v1y Cabral
25-S2538MA v1y Hendricks
25-S2538MA v1y Philips
25-S2538MA v1y Vieira
25-S2538MA v1y Cahill
25-S2538MA v1y Higgins
25-S2538MA v1y Plouffe
25-S2538MA v2n Berthiaume
25-S2538MA v1y Cataldo
25-S2538MA v1y Holmes
25-S2538MA v1y Puppolo
25-S2538MA v2n Boldyga
25-S2538MA v1y Chan
25-S2538MA v1y Honan
25-S2538MA v1y Ramos, A.
25-S2538MA v2n Chaisson
25-S2538MA v1y Ciccolo
25-S2538MA v1y Hong
25-S2538MA v1y Ramos, O.
25-S2538MA v2n DeCoste
25-S2538MA v1y Connolly
25-S2538MA v1y Howard
25-S2538MA v1y Reid
25-S2538MA v2n Gaskey
25-S2538MA v1y Consalvo
25-S2538MA v1y Hunt
25-S2538MA v1y Reyes
25-S2538MA v2n Howitt
25-S2538MA v1y Cruz
25-S2538MA v1y Kassner
25-S2538MA v1y Robertson
25-S2538MA v1y Kane
25-S2538MA v1y Cusack
25-S2538MA v1y Kearney
25-S2538MA s3o Rogers, D.
25-S2538MA v2n Lombardo
25-S2538MA v1y Davis
25-S2538MA v1y Keefe
25-S2538MA v1y Rogers, J.
25-S2538MA v2n Marsi
25-S2538MA v1y Day
25-S2538MA v1y Kerans
25-S2538MA v1y Roy
25-S2538MA v2n McKenna
25-S2538MA v1y Decker
25-S2538MA v1y Kilcoyne
25-S2538MA v1y Ryan
25-S2538MA v2n Orrall
25-S2538MA v1y Diggs
25-S2538MA v1y Kushmerek
25-S2538MA x Sabadosa
25-S2538MA v2n Pease
25-S2538MA v1y Domb
25-S2538MA v1y LaNatra
25-S2538MA v1y Sangiolo
25-S2538MA v2n Smola
25-S2538MA v1y Donaghue
25-S2538MA v1y Lawn
25-S2538MA v1y Saunders
25-S2538MA v2n Soter
25-S2538MA v1y Donahue
25-S2538MA v1y LeBoeuf
25-S2538MA v1y Scanlon
25-S2538MA v2n Sullivan-Almeida
25-S2538MA v1y DuBois
25-S2538MA s3o Lewis
25-S2538MA v1y Scarsdale
25-S2538MA v2n Sweezey
25-S2538MA v1y Duffy
25-S2538MA v1y Linsky
25-S2538MA v1y Schwartz
25-S2538MA v2n Thurber
25-S2538MA v1y Elliott
25-S2538MA v1y Lipper-Garabedian
25-S2538MA v1y Sena
25-S2538MA v2n Vaughn
25-S2538MA v1y Farley-Bouvier
25-S2538MA v1y Livingstone
25-S2538MA v1y Shand
25-S2538MA v1y Wong
25-S2538MA v1y Ferrante
25-S2538MA v1y Luddy
25-S2538MA v2n Silvia
25-S2538MA v2n Xiarhos
25-S2538MA v1y Field
25-S2538MA v1y MacGregor
25-S2538MA v1y Sousa
25-S2538MA v1y --Whipps-- *=AFTER VOTE P=PRESENT X=NOT VOTING
CO-SPONSORS
Name District/Address
Cindy F. FriedmanThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Fourth Middlesex
Andrea Joy CampbellThis sponsor is an original petitioner.*
Joanne M. ComerfordThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester
Julian CyrThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Cape and Islands
Jacob R. OliveiraThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester
Rebecca L. RauschThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex
Carmine Lawrence GentileThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 13th Middlesex
Erika UyterhoevenThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 27th Middlesex
David M. RogersThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 24th Middlesex
Pavel M. PayanoThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* First Essex
John Francis MoranThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 9th Suffolk
Jason M. LewisThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Fifth Middlesex
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/SenateRollCall68.pdf
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/SenateRollCall56.pdf
Senate -- Roll Call #68 S.2543 -- Question on passing the bill to be enacted (majority) YEAS.
USED #57
25-S2538MA v1y Barrett, Michael J.
25-S2538MA v1y Keenan, John F.
25-S2538MA v1y Brady, Michael D.
25-S2538MA v1y Kennedy, Edward J.
25-S2538MA v1y Brownsberger, William N.
25-S2538MA v1y Kennedy, Robyn K.
25-S2538MA v1y Collins, Nick
25-S2538MA v1y Lewis, Jason M.
25-S2538MA s3o Comerford, Joanne M.
25-S2538MA v1y Lovely, Joan B.
25-S2538MA v1y Creem, Cynthia Stone
25-S2538MA v1y Mark, Paul W.
25-S2538MA v1y Crighton, Brendan P.
25-S2538MA v1y Miranda, Liz
25-S2538MA v1y Cronin, John J.
25-S2538MA v1y Montigny, Mark C.
25-S2538MA s3o Cyr, Julian
25-S2538MA v1y Moore, Michael O.
25-S2538MA v1y DiDomenico, Sal N.
25-S2538MA v1y O'Connor, Patrick M.
25-S2538MA v1y Driscoll, Jr., William J.
25-S2538MA s3o Oliveira, Jacob R.
25-S2538MA v1y Edwards, Lydia
25-S2538MA s3o Payano, Pavel
25-S2538MA v1y Eldridge, James B.
25-S2538MA s3o Rausch, Rebecca L.
25-S2538MA v1y Feeney, Paul R.
25-S2538MA v1y Rodrigues, Michael J.
25-S2538MA v1y Fernandes, Dylan A.
25-S2538MA v1y Rush, Michael F.
25-S2538MA v1y Finegold, Barry R.
25-S2538MA v1y Spilka, Karen E.
25-S2538MA s3o Friedman, Cindy F.
25-S2538MA v1y Tarr, Bruce E.
25-S2538MA v1y Gómez, Adam
25-S2538MA v1y Velis, John C..
25-S2538MA v1y Jehlen, Patricia D.
− 37
NAYS.
25-S2538MA v2n Dooner, Kelly A.
25-S2538MA v2n Fattman, Ryan C..
25-S2538MA v2n Durant, Peter J.
− 3