Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Paragraph (c) of section 7 of chapter 123 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2000 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and inserting in place thereof the following 2 sentences:- The hearing on a petition brought for commitment pursuant to paragraph (e) of section 15, and sections 16 and 18, or for a subsequent commitment pursuant to paragraph (d) of section 8 shall be commenced within 14 days of the filing of the petition, unless a delay is requested by the person or his counsel. For all other persons, the hearing shall be commenced within 4 days of the filing of the petition, unless a delay is requested by the person or his counsel.