Bill > S1567

This bill aims to enhance 911 operations for behavioral health crisis response. It proposes several key changes: 1. It adds the Commissioner of Mental Health as a member of the State 911 Department. 2. It expands the State 911 Department's advisory board to include representatives from the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, individuals with lived experience of behavioral health conditions, and the American Civil Liberties Union Massachusetts. 3. It requires the State 911 Department to update its certification standards for Enhanced 911 Telecommunicators to include training on behavioral health conditions and appropriate diversion of people with behavioral health conditions away from law enforcement response. 4. It adds "behavioral health crisis response services" to the responsibilities of the State 911 Department. 5. It establishes a "behavioral health crisis response incentive grant" to help PSAPs and regional emergency communication centers integrate behavioral health crisis response capabilities, including establishing relationships with alternative emergency service providers and updating dispatch protocols to divert behavioral health calls to qualified professionals.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1567