Massachusetts House Passes Epinephrine Access, CMV Screening, and Drone Bills

BOSTON — May 20, 2026 — Massachusetts House passes epinephrine access, CMV newborn screening, and drone weapons bills in a single session. The House voted 149 to 0 Wednesday to pass House Bill 5443, allowing restaurants, arenas, camps, and colleges to stock and administer epinephrine auto-injectors — legislation prompted by the 2023 death of Michael Brown, who died from a wasp sting at a charity golf tournament when no epi-pen was available; his wife Megan Brown has advocated for the bill since. Representative Marjorie C. Decker of Cambridge and bill sponsor Representative Thomas W. Moakley of Falmouth led floor debate, with Moakley noting it was his inaugural speech. The House passed House Bill 5441 adding congenital CMV to the state's newborn screening panel 154 to 1, defeating a parental opt-out amendment 1 to 153 after Decker argued universal screening has been Massachusetts policy since 1962. A civil rights and technology bill banning weaponized civilian drones also passed 154 to 1, with Representative Michael S. Day of Stoneham citing the state's $21 million drone-detection investment ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A Blue Star family license plate bill for families of officers killed in the line of duty passed 156 to 0, with Representative Steven George Xiarhos naming fallen officers including State Trooper Kevin Trainer, killed May 6.