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S 1597MASSACHUSETTSSession 194thState Billin committee

Massachusetts creates public health campaign, employer gym subsidy program, and recovery commission

Original title: An Act relative to a healthier, stronger Massachusetts

Last action · January 15, 2026: Accompanied a new draft, see S2852Sponsor: Patrick O'Connor

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Would Do

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is directed to design a healthy lifestyle awareness campaign and establish an employer gym membership reimbursement subsidy program, while a special commission is created to study post-coronavirus recovery frameworks.

Why it matters

Employers seeking financial help to offer staff free gym memberships can apply for partial or direct reimbursements, and employers without health insurance gym perks receive priority.

Background
  • The measure was introduced by Senator Patrick M. O'Connor during the 194th session of the Massachusetts General Court. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Public and private employers

Employers can apply for partial or full reimbursement costs if they choose to offer free gym memberships to their employees.

Directly affected

Private gym owners

Three private gym owners will be appointed by the Governor to serve on the special commission.

Directly affected

Department of Public Health

The department is tasked with designing the public awareness campaign, setting up the gym membership subsidy program, and participating in the special commission.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which employers will be prioritized for the gym membership subsidy program?
The Department of Public Health must prioritize applicants who do not contract with a health insurance provider that offers gym membership reimbursements.
When must the special commission deliver its final report?
The commission must produce a report of its findings, analysis, and recommendations for legislation no later than December 1, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Jan 15, 2026Senate
    Accompanied a new draft, see S2852
  2. Jun 16, 2025Joint
    Hearing scheduled for 06/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-01:00 PM in A-1
  3. Feb 27, 2025House
    House concurred
  4. Feb 27, 2025SenateCommittee
    Referred to the committee on Public Health

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Patrick O'ConnorSenate · District First Plymouth and NorfolkRepublicanPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

Mass In Motion program, Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Health Policy commission and 1 more
OrganizationMass In Motion program“Director or designee serves on the special commission”Map →
OrganizationDepartment of Public Health“Design and implement the public awareness campaign and gym membership subsidy pr”Map →
OrganizationMassachusetts Health Policy commission“Director or designee serves on the special commission”Map →
OrganizationMassachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis“Director or designee serves on the special commission”Map →

Sources

Open source document

malegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy15
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz25
    Current news / social attention level

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