MA H4948

Bill

MA H4948

To ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch

Introduced
06/30/2022

In Committee
06/30/2022

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
12/31/2022

Introduced Session

192nd General Court

Bill Summary

To ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch

AI Summary

This bill aims to ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch. It amends existing laws to establish specific requirements for the Department of Correction and Department of Mental Health regarding the treatment of prisoners on mental health watch. The key provisions include: 1) Allowing prisoners, their legal representatives, or mental health staff to petition the court to transfer a prisoner on mental health watch to a psychiatric facility or Bridgewater State Hospital under certain conditions; 2) Defining "mental health watch" and requiring qualified mental health professionals to assess the need for continued mental health watch at regular intervals; and 3) Mandating that correctional facilities have policies and procedures for placing prisoners on mental health watch, providing appropriate housing and supervision, ensuring access to confidential mental health treatment, and protecting prisoners' personal dignity, with the goal of preventing self-harm and suicide.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery (J)

Last Action

No further action taken (on 01/03/2023)

Official Document

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4948

(7 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4948
Bill	https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4948.pdf

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H2089	To ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch	Accompanied a new draft, see H4948	Replaces
H2256	Prohibiting the participation of healthcare professionals in the torture and abuse of prisoners	Accompanied a study order, see H5198	Similar To
H3689	Providing for prisoners of war	No further action taken	Similar To
S1283	To ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch	Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means	Similar To
S1296	Regarding consistent care for addiction rooted in evidence	Ought NOT to pass (under Joint Rule 10) and placed in the Orders of the Day for the next session	Similar To
S1445	To increase access to disposable menstrual products in prisons, homeless shelters, and public schools	New draft substituted, see S2730	Similar To
S1578	To provide criminal justice reform protections to all prisoners in segregated confinement	Accompanied a study order, see S2969	Similar To

Bill > H4948

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (0)

Other Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

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