Bill > H1637

This bill proposes a legal protection for first responders and emergency medical service providers when they transport individuals to community behavioral health centers. Specifically, the bill prevents law enforcement officers, ambulance personnel, emergency medical technicians, and other emergency medical service providers from facing any legal claims, liability, or penalties when they transport a person to a community behavioral health center. The bill defines these professionals using existing Massachusetts legal definitions: law enforcement officers are those defined in chapter 6E, section 1, and ambulance/emergency medical service providers are those defined in chapter 111C, section 1. The community behavioral health center is defined in chapter 118E, section 13D½. By providing this legal shield, the bill aims to encourage first responders to safely and confidently transport individuals who may be experiencing mental health crises to appropriate treatment facilities without fear of potential legal repercussions, thereby potentially improving access to mental health care and supporting public safety.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1637