1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3581 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2206
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Kate Donaghue and Michael P. Kushmerek
_________________
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 enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training
on their use.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Kate Donaghue19th Worcester1/17/2025Michael P. Kushmerek3rd Worcester1/17/2025Christopher M. Markey9th Bristol2/20/2025John J. Marsi6th Worcester2/20/2025Patricia A. Duffy5th Hampden2/20/2025Paul McMurtry11th Norfolk2/20/2025Joseph D. McKenna18th Worcester3/3/2025Steven George Xiarhos5th Barnstable3/3/2025Natalie M. Higgins4th Worcester3/3/2025Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex3/3/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3581 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2206
By Representatives Donaghue of Westborough and Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition
(accompanied by bill, House, No. 2206) of Kate Donaghue, Michael P. Kushmerek and others
for legislation to enable physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate
training on their use. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training
on their use.
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. The first sentence of subsection (a) of section 12 of chapter 123 of the
2General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the words “section 2 of chapter 112,” the
3following words:- a physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 9E of chapter 112,.
4 SECTION 2. The second sentence of said subsection (a) of said section 12 of said chapter
5123 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “physician,” the following words:- , physician
6assistant.
7 SECTION 3. The third sentence of said subsection (a) of said section 12 of said chapter
8123 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “physician,” the following words:- , physician
9assistant. 2 of 2
10 SECTION 4. Section 12 of said chapter 123 is hereby amended by adding the following
11subsection:-
12 (f) Before any individual authorized by this section shall restrain an individual or
13authorize a psychiatric hold, the individual shall undergo 3 hours of specialized training in direct
14mental health evaluation. The training shall be developed pursuant to regulations and
15specifications by the department of mental health.