Bill > S1407

This bill establishes a special commission to comprehensively study mental health service delivery for adults with acute mental illness in Massachusetts. The commission will investigate staffing levels and service availability at the Department of Mental Health (DMH), including examining the number of case managers at each site, their average caseloads, and instances of service refusal. The commission will explore strategies to improve mental health service accessibility, including the potential reestablishment of outpatient clinics and addressing language accessibility barriers. The diverse commission will include representatives from the DMH, state legislature, Governor's office, professional mental health organizations, and experts in clinical psychology and suicide prevention. Specifically composed of 10 members, the commission is tasked with developing recruitment strategies for mental health professionals, analyzing current service gaps, and proposing legislative reforms. The commission must convene its first meeting by July 1, 2025, and submit a comprehensive report with recommendations by January 31, 2026, to various legislative bodies and committees, with the ultimate goal of improving mental health service delivery and support for adults with acute mental illness.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1407