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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2148 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2198
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Marjorie C. Decker
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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 reducing emergency department boarding.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Marjorie C. Decker25th Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2148 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2198
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2198) of
Marjorie C. Decker relative to emergency department boarding. Mental Health, Substance Use
and Recovery.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act reducing emergency department boarding.
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 12 of Chapter 123 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding
2after the first paragraph in subsection (a) the following paragraphs:-
3 No person shall be involuntarily held for more than 72 hours at a facility that has not
4been authorized by the department to perform evaluations under section 12(b). Any person held
5longer than 72 hours must be released.
6 Any psychiatric hold lasting for more than 48 hours at a facility that has not been
7authorized by the department to perform evaluations under section 12(b) must be referred to the
8Committee for Public Counsel Services for appointment of counsel.