MA H1708

Bill

To improve the quality of mental health services, and rights of patients, by providing for sufficient privacy

Introduced
01/22/2019

In Committee
01/22/2019

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2020

Introduced Session

191st General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to improve the quality of mental health services, and rights of patients, by providing for sufficient privacy. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve the quality of mental health services and the rights of patients by providing for sufficient privacy. It requires that all individuals seeking or receiving mental health services be entitled to a private intake room or physical space where only they, medical staff, and relevant security can hear any intake and treatment conversations. These privacy provisions can only be waived in extreme emergency circumstances, which must be specifically noted and recorded in the medical record. The bill is intended to address the issue of patients being seen for intake or treatment in open wards or emergency settings without privacy, which can compromise confidentiality and the provision of needed information between medical staff and patients. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and its Public Health Council are authorized to develop, establish, and enforce the necessary regulations to carry out the intent of this legislation.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (2)

Mike Day (D)*, Matt Muratore (R),

Last Action

Accompanied a study order, see H4450 (on 02/20/2020)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1708

(11 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1708
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1708.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H1339	Relative to ensuring quality mental health services in state correctional facilities	Accompanied a study order, see H5081	Similar To
H1705	Relative to expanding access and safety of mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H4450	Similar To
H1710	Providing for efficient access to mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H4450	Similar To
H1736	Protecting children's mental health services	Reported favorably by committee and referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing	Similar To
H4450	Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery	Reported, in part, by H1745	Replaced by
H980	To improve child and adolescent mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see H5160	Similar To
S1154	To protect children's mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see S2888	Similar To
S1157	To improve access to care by removing barriers to practice for psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S589	Relative to limits on insurers’ retroactive clawbacks for mental health and substance use disorder services	Committee recommended ought to pass with an amendment and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S593	To promote the accessibility, quality and continuity of care for consumers of behavioral health, substance use disorder and mental health services	Accompanied a study order, see S2543	Similar To
S656	Relative to transparency for mental health parity	Accompanied a study order, see S2543	Similar To

Bill > H1708

MA H1708

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Official Document

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