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Bill > S2785


MA S2785

MA S2785
To provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care


summary

Introduced
05/30/2024
In Committee
06/21/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2024

Introduced Session

193rd General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to provide more timely treatment of inpatient mental health care; and of Kay Khan, Samantha Montaño and Rebecca L. Rausch relative to inpatient mental health care treatment, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2785).

AI Summary

This bill aims to provide more timely treatment for inpatient mental health care. It introduces a new section in Chapter 123 of the General Laws, allowing healthcare providers to override a person's right to refuse psychiatric treatment in certain circumstances. Specifically, if the person is reasonably believed to be incompetent to give informed consent and their mental illness is expected to significantly deteriorate within 72 hours without treatment, providers can initiate treatment to prevent this immediate, substantial, and irreversible deterioration. The bill also provides legal protections for healthcare professionals and facilities acting in good faith to provide such treatment, unless their actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (6)

Other Sponsors (1)

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

Last Action

No further action taken (on 12/31/2024)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2785
BillText https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2785.pdf
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