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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2370 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1965
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Ruth B. Balser
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to ensuring quality mental health services in state correctional facilities.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Ruth B. Balser12th Middlesex1/19/2023Lindsay N. Sabadosa1st Hampshire2/17/2023 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2370 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1965
By Representative Balser of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1965) of Ruth
B. Balser and Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to quality mental health services in state correctional
facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to ensuring quality mental health services in state correctional facilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1: Section 1 of Chapter 19 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding
2after the third paragraph:
3 The commissioner of mental health shall have supervision over the provision of mental
4health services to prisoners in the custody of the department of correction, including review and
5approval of any contract between the department of correction and any other entity concerning
6the provision of mental health services, and shall establish minimum standards for the effective
7delivery of such services. At least once each six months the commissioner shall audit each state
8correctional facility to determine compliance with the minimum standards.
9 SECTION 2: Section 17A of Chapter 127 of the General Laws is hereby amended in
10paragraph (a) by inserting after the words “qualified mental health professional”, the following:-
11“, and shall be under the supervision of the department of mental health”