Bill > H3291

This bill transfers the administration and oversight of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of Mental Health, fundamentally changing how the facility will be managed and treated as a mental health facility rather than a correctional institution. The bill gives the Commissioner of Mental Health the responsibility for operating Bridgewater State Hospital, providing medical and mental health treatment for individuals at the facility, and offering forensic services for individuals committed for evaluation or treatment. Specifically, the Commissioner will be required to provide continuing care inpatient services for individuals needing strict security, develop a forensic mental health services division, and establish standards for clinical evaluations. The bill also mandates that the Commissioner conduct a feasibility study for constructing a new physical facility designed to better support patient health and recovery, potentially including a location at the Worcester Recovery Center campus. Additionally, the legislation includes numerous technical amendments to existing laws to remove references to the Department of Correction's role in the hospital and clarify the Department of Mental Health's new responsibilities. The bill is set to become effective no later than December 31, 2026, allowing time for a structured transition of the facility's management and operations.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3291