Bill > H1793

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program at Taunton State Hospital to alleviate overcrowding in emergency departments, specifically for individuals experiencing severe mental health crises or having a dual diagnosis (meaning they have both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder). The program will accept medically stable patients from emergency departments in the Southeast region who cannot find another suitable placement within four hours of their emergency department admission. These patients will receive care at the pilot program until an appropriate long-term placement is found, which should not exceed fourteen days. The program will be run by the department and staffed by its professionals, with specific protocols and staffing plans developed by a committee including various state departments and relevant advocacy groups. Taunton State Hospital will be authorized to accept patients under Section 12 of Chapter 123 of the General Laws, which pertains to involuntary commitment for mental health evaluation and treatment. By the second year of operation, an independent entity will report to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse on the program's effectiveness in reducing emergency department overcrowding and the quality of care provided, using data from the department and local hospitals.