S 1398 Massachusetts Senate · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act to create intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health

This bill mandates the creation of two specialized mental health units within the Department of Mental Health: one for men and one for women. These units will serve patients exhibiting persistently aggressive, self-destructive, or unusually violent behavior requiring intensive care. The units must be centrally located, physically separate from other areas, and staffed by trained specialists (including nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists) who provide evaluations, behavioral management, violence assessments, and stabilization services. Upon stabilization, staff must develop a plan for the patient's safe transfer out of the unit.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Feb 26, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jan 8, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors