Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official source posted by the Massachusetts General Court, fetched 2026-07-15. Nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
Section 51B of chapter 119 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after subsection (b) the following subsection:- (b½) If the parent, guardian or other caretaker provides evidence that the child has a preexisting diagnosis of rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, vitamin D deficiency or any other medical condition known to appear or be caused by, or known to be misdiagnosed as, abuse, the department shall consult with a physician or advanced practice registered nurse who routinely provides medical care to pediatric patients. If the physician or registered nurse deems it appropriate, they may conduct an examination of the child to advise on whether the symptoms of suspected abuse or neglect are likely to have been caused by a medical condition. No consultation or examination shall be requested or performed pursuant to this subsection for the purpose of obtaining a second opinion as to whether a child has been sexually abused.
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