Healthcare (Mental Health)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1176: An Act relative to a humane response to a mental health crisis

By Mr. Mark, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1176) of Paul W. Mark and Michael O. Moore for legislation to remove the 3-day commitment period to a facility for a person with a mental illness. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves 3-day mental health commitment period, improving access to timely crisis care and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Nov 5, 2025

H 4669: An Act relative to studying and improving the continuum of care for persons with mental health, substance use and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

This bill (H 4669) requires Massachusetts' Executive Office of Health and Human Services to study the full range of mental health and substance use care services available across the state. The study must examine current service gaps, barriers to care (like funding, transportation, and lack of coordinated services), and explore creating regional facilities to improve access. It mandates input from healthcare providers, people with lived experience, and communities, and requires a detailed report within one year, followed by annual progress updates. The bill does not implement new programs but sets the stage for potential future policy changes based on the study’s findings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study to identify gaps/barriers in mental health/substance use care, aiming to improve access and create regional facilities through coordinated services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 1115: An Act to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness

This bill establishes a court-supervised outpatient treatment program for adults (18+) with severe mental illness who are at substantial risk of harm to self or others and unable to meet basic needs due to their condition, and who have a history of treatment non-adherence (including multiple hospitalizations or violent behavior). Authorized individuals - such as doctors, family members, or probation officers - can petition a court for a "critical community mental health service treatment plan," which must include supervision, medication, and assistance with housing, food, and other essentials. The court must determine this outpatient care is the least restrictive alternative before approving the plan, with initial orders limited to 180 days and renewals to 365 days. The program aims to prevent hospitalizations by providing structured community-based support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides continuum of care for severe mental illness, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 27, 2026

H 4668: An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund

This bill establishes a trust fund to grow and diversify the perinatal behavioral health care workforce in Massachusetts. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to eligible entities (such as colleges, community health centers, tribal organizations, and public health agencies) that create or expand training programs for providers focusing on mental health and substance use services for perinatal individuals. The grants prioritize organizations serving medically underserved populations or areas with racial, geographic, or health outcome disparities. Recipients must report annually on grant usage, program participants (with demographic data), and impacts on workforce shortages and access. The fund aims to improve access to culturally competent behavioral health care during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes trust fund for perinatal behavioral health workforce training, directly funding mental health services expansion through grants to providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Oct 27, 2025

H 4650: An Act relative to social work uplifting practices and exam removal

H 4650 removes a licensing exam requirement for certain social workers in Massachusetts, renaming "Licensed Certified Social Workers" to "Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers" to streamline the process. It creates a new paid internship grant program for Master of Social Work (MSW) students from historically marginalized and low-income communities, funded through state or federal resources. The bill also allows licensed clinical social workers to earn continuing education credits for supervising interns. These changes aim to increase workforce diversity and retention, with an evaluation required to assess impacts on access to mental health services and workforce diversity, effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines social work licensing, creates targeted training grants, and enables continuing education - directly expanding access to mental health services and supporting healthcare workforce diversity.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves licensing barriers for social workers and creates paid internships for marginalized groups, facilitating workforce entry and equity in employment pathways.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1801: An Act to provide continuum of care for severe mental illness

HD 3780 creates a new court-approved community-based treatment program for adults with severe mental illness who are at high risk of harm to themselves or others due to treatment non-adherence. It establishes a "critical community mental health service treatment plan" requiring court approval as the least restrictive alternative to hospitalization, targeting individuals who are "gravely disabled" (unable to meet basic needs safely due to mental illness) and have a history of repeated hospitalizations or violent behavior. The plan must include supervision, medication, and assistance with basic needs like housing and employment, with initial court orders limited to 180 days (renewable up to 365 days). This bill directly affects eligible individuals with severe mental illness and their care providers, shifting focus from inpatient commitment to structured community care under judicial oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes continuum of care for severe mental illness, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 1117: An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1117) of Cindy F. Friedman, Michael J. Barrett, Russell E. Holmes, John F. Keenan and others for legislation relative to treatment, not incarceration. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly advocates 'treatment, not incarceration' for criminal justice reform, promoting rehabilitation over imprisonment to reduce recidivism and align with reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for mental health treatment over incarceration, directly supporting mental health services as part of healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1407: Resolve to ensure delivery of mental health services to adults with acute mental illness

By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1407) of Edward J. Kennedy that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to ensure delivery of mental health services to adults with acute mental illness. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to ensure delivery of mental health services for adults with acute illness through a commission study, directly supporting mental health services as per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 709: An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 709) of John J. Cronin for legislation relative to supportive care for serious mental illness. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly establishes supportive care for serious mental illness, advancing mental health services within healthcare policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2209: An Act establishing a special commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including but not limited to investigation of PTSD caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic

HD 3545 establishes a 19-member commission within Massachusetts' Executive Office of Health and Human Services to address PTSD. The commission, including experts, veterans' groups, healthcare providers, and advocacy organizations, will research PTSD causes (specifically pandemic-related cases), monitor care access, and develop annual strategic plans to improve diagnosis, treatment, and public awareness. Key provisions require the commission to publish yearly reports on research advances, care access, and progress on its strategic plan to the Governor and legislature. This bill directly affects Massachusetts residents with PTSD by creating a structured effort to evaluate and enhance care systems for the condition.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to investigate PTSD (mental health), directly addressing mental health services under healthcare topic, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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