HB 1117-FN (2026): relative to the right of licensed health care providers to freely communicate with patients, colleagues, and the public about medical information, emerging therapies, and treatment options.

HB 1117-FN (2026)

relative to the right of licensed health care providers to freely communicate with patients, colleagues, and the public about medical information, emerging therapies, and treatment options.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Occupational Regulation

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 25, 2026, with 187 people signed in online: 168 in support and 19 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 4, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1026h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 10–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1026h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 176–145. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 1, 2026. On April 16, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar.

Sponsors

• Rep. Linda McGrath (R - Rock 40) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. JD Bernardy (R - Rock 36)
• Rep. Susan DeRoy (R - Straf 3)
• Rep. Sayra DeVito (R - Rock 8)
• Rep. Melissa Litchfield (R - Rock 32)
• Rep. Jonathan Morton (R - Hills 39)
• Rep. Kristine Perez (R - Rock 16)
• Rep. Matt Sabourin dit Choinière (R - Rock 30)
• Rep. Paul Terry (R - Belk 7)
• Rep. Robert Wherry (R - Hills 13)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 25, 2026, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• March 4, 2026, 9:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• March 11, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 1, 2026, 9:00 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1026h — yeas 176, nays 145, passed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 7
• HC 10, page 49
• HJ 7, page 183
• SJ 7
• SC 12
• SJ 9
• SC 14A