HD 1550 removes the current Massachusetts law allowing courts to issue emergency 3-day holds for individuals with mental illness who pose a risk of serious harm. This change would eliminate the specific process where a court could order a short-term hospitalization after a hearing, with a physician or psychologist confirming the need for confinement. The bill directly affects people experiencing acute mental health crises who might otherwise be subject to these emergency holds. It modifies the existing legal mechanism for temporary mental health commitments but does not specify the new provisions replacing the removed language. (Note: The bill text provided only shows the amendment removing paragraph (e), not the replacement text.)
By Ms. Rausch, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 823) of Rebecca L. Rausch and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to enhance post-pregnancy mental health care. Financial Services.
HD 1297 requires the Department of Mental Health to cover specialized behavioral health services (like crisis intervention, inpatient care, and youth stabilization) for children in state care. It mandates that congregate care programs (e.g., group homes providing foster care) implement emergency response plans prioritizing behavioral health support over law enforcement referrals, and prohibits denying readmission to children who are medically and psychiatrically stable after a hospitalization or crisis. The bill also requires programs to report readmission denials to the Department of Children and Families, with data collected on demographics and shared publicly. These changes directly affect children in foster care, congregate care programs, and state agencies managing child welfare and mental health services.
Senate, September 11, 2025 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1392) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford that provisions be made for a special commission to study available behavioral health services and to make recommendations for improving access to behavioral health services for children and families in the commonwealth, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2601).
HD 2148 limits involuntary emergency holds to 72 hours at facilities not authorized by the department to perform psychiatric evaluations, requiring immediate release after that period. For psychiatric holds lasting over 48 hours at such facilities, the bill mandates referral to the Committee for Public Counsel Services to appoint legal counsel. This directly affects patients in emergency departments and the hospitals managing their care, changing how facilities handle extended involuntary holds. The law establishes specific time limits and legal safeguards for patients held in non-authorized facilities.
By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1487) of Cynthia Stone Creem for legislation to establish the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Public Health.
HD 530 establishes the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) to allow licensed psychologists to provide services across state lines under specific conditions. It enables telepsychology (online sessions) and temporary in-person practice (up to 30 days per year) in states that have joined the compact, without requiring a separate license in the "distant state." The compact creates standardized processes for verifying licenses, sharing disciplinary records, and issuing temporary authorization certificates (like the "E.Passport" and "Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate"). This directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to serve clients in other compact states and expands public access to psychological services while maintaining state-level regulatory oversight for safety.
This bill (SD 936) ensures continuity of mental health treatment for insured individuals when their provider is involuntarily or voluntarily disenrolled from their insurance network (except for quality issues or fraud) or when the insurance company changes. It defines a "continuing course of treatment" as having at least one visit in the past four months for the same or similar mental health condition. The law requires insurance companies to allow patients to continue treatment with that provider through an out-of-network option, paying the usual network reimbursement rate (using the median rate if multiple exist) without adding extra costs or deductibles. Patients cannot be charged more for this option unless the insurance company provides actuarial proof of increased costs, which must be approved by the health department.
This bill (SD 947) requires health insurance plans to cover specific addiction and mental health treatments without preauthorization. It defines "acute treatment," "clinical stabilization," and "co-occurring treatment" services as 24-hour inpatient care for substance use and mental health conditions, with a 14-day maximum coverage limit. The law applies to state employee health plans (Section 1), Medicaid programs (Section 2), and private insurance policies meeting "creditable coverage" standards (Section 3), mandating coverage for these services while requiring facilities to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission. Utilization reviews can begin after day 7 of treatment. The policy change directly affects individuals seeking these treatments through these specific insurance programs.
By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 703) of John J. Cronin, Jason M. Lewis, Michael O. Moore, John F. Keenan and other members of the Senate for legislation relative to community behavioral health centers. Financial Services.
