HB 435: Palliative Care Info. & Ed. Prog. & Palliative Care & Quality of Life Advisory Council; established.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Palliative Care Information and Education Program; Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council established. Directs the Board of Health to include in its regulations a requirement that every hospital, nursing home, and certified nursing facility licensed by the Board (i) establish a system for identifying patients or residents who may benefit from palliative care and (ii) provide information about and facilitate access to appropriate palliative care services for patients or residents experiencing illness, injuries, or conditions that substantially affect quality of life for more than a short period of time. The bill also directs the Department of Health to establish a palliative care consumer and professional information and education program to maximize the effectiveness of palliative care initiatives in the Commonwealth by (a) ensuring that comprehensive and accurate information and education about palliative care is available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities and (b) implementing such other initiatives related to education about palliative care and the delivery of palliative care services as may be necessary to educate health care professionals and the public about palliative care. The bill further establishes the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council to advise the Department on matters related to the establishment, operation, maintenance, and outcomes evaluations of such initiatives. The bill directs the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council to study the possibility of establishing a Medicaid benefit for palliative care and the need for a licensure scheme for palliative care providers. The bill further directs the Board of Health to develop a statewide advanced care planning campaign to increase public awareness of available palliative care options.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 18, 2026Left in Committee Appropriations
2. February 11, 2026Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 0-N)
3. February 9, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB435)
4. February 5, 2026Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources
5. February 5, 2026Committee substitute printed 26106298D-H1
6. February 5, 2026Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute and referred to Appropriations (20-Y 2-N)
7. February 4, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB435)
8. February 3, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (10-Y 0-N)
9. February 3, 2026House subcommittee offered
10. January 21, 2026Assigned sub: Health
11. January 12, 2026Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
12. January 12, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104999D