Bill > H4372

This bill amends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 127 to improve the treatment of mentally ill individuals within correctional facilities by defining "mental health professional" as a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker (LICSW), or licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), and "residential treatment unit" as a specialized housing area within a prison designed for treatment and rehabilitation. It revises provisions regarding the transfer of inmates to segregated units, requiring that within 24 hours of being placed in such a unit, an inmate's mental health must be assessed by a mental health professional, with subsequent reassessments at least twice weekly. Crucially, if an inmate is identified as benefiting from diversion or removal from a segregated unit due to their mental health, they must be moved to a residential treatment unit or receive appropriate treatment in the general population within 30 days, and while awaiting transfer, they will have regular access to mental health clinicians, in-cell programming, and additional recreation.