Bill > H1972

This bill aims to expand access to mental health services and strengthen risk assessment protocols. The key provisions include: 1) Allowing a broader range of licensed mental health professionals, including licensed mental health counselors, to initiate involuntary hospitalization of individuals who pose a risk of serious harm to themselves or others due to mental health issues. This expands the existing authority, which was limited to physicians, psychologists, and certain nurses. 2) Permitting police officers to initiate involuntary hospitalization evaluations in emergency situations when licensed mental health professionals are not available. 3) Authorizing licensed mental health counselors to transport individuals to facilities for involuntary hospitalization evaluations, similar to the existing authority of police officers. The overall goal of the bill is to improve access to mental health crisis intervention and assessment, particularly in emergency situations, by expanding the pool of professionals who can initiate the process and facilitate transportation to appropriate facilities.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1972