Definitions

Application. Standard application form provided by the Program which must be completed by an applicant. Certification. The process by which an applicant is determined eligible to participate in the Program. Gender-affirming Health Care Services. This includes all supplies, care and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or supportive nature relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria. Health Care Program Participant. A person engaging in a legally-protected health care activity that is certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to participate in the Address Confidentiality Program. Identification Card. Card issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to a Health Care Program Participant upon certification, which includes the Health Care Program Participant's name, identification code, a designated substitute address, certification expiration date, and signature. Identification Number. A number assigned to a Health Care Program Participant upon acceptance into the Program. Legally-protected Health Care Activity. This includes: (a) the exercise and enjoyment, or attempted exercise and enjoyment, by any person of rights to reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services secured by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth or the provision of insurance coverage for such services; or (Mass. Register #1498, 6/23/2023) (b) any act or omission undertaken to aid or encourage, or attempt to aid or encourage, any person in the exercise and enjoyment, or attempted exercise and enjoyment, of rights to reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services secured by the constitution or laws of the commonwealth or to provide insurance coverage for such services; provided, however, that the provision of such a health care service by a person duly licensed under the laws of the commonwealth and physically present in the commonwealth and the provision of insurance coverage for such services shall be legally protected if the service is permitted under the laws of the commonwealth, regardless of the patient’s location; and provided further, that “legally-protected health care activity” shall not include any service rendered below an applicable professional standard of care or that would violate anti- discrimination laws of the commonwealth. Program. The Address Confidentiality Program established by M.G.L. c. 9A to provide designated addresses for survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking or those engaged in legally-protected health care services for use by state and local agencies. The Program is not a witness protection program. Program Manager. An employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth designated by the Secretary to administer the Address Confidentiality Program. Reproductive Health Care Services. This includes all supplies, care and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or supportive nature relating to pregnancy, contraception, assisted reproduction, miscarriage management or the termination of a pregnancy. Residential Address. Means the street name, street number, city or town, and zip code of the address where the Health Care Program Participant resides. Secretary. Means the State Secretary or the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Substitute Addresses. The mailing and other addresses designated by the Secretary of the Commonwealth for use by Health Care Program Participants. The address is listed on the identification card.