HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3950        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1717

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act [Title].

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

    Resolved,

Resolved, That, notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, there is hereby established a Commission to investigate, report on and recommend changes in, the health services and environmental conditions at all Department of Correction and County correctional facilities.  Said commission shall collect and report on data on the health status, health services and environmental conditions available to residents including those awaiting trial, in temporary custody or part of the general population.  Said commission shall evaluate health services in comparison with community standards for health care and environmental quality, prompt access to care and appropriate treatment and staffing including psychological, psychiatric, surgical and other interventions.   The commission shall develop strategic, legislative and financial recommendations to address any differences in health care standards from those expected of community hospitals and clinics licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality.               

            The commission shall be composed of the House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety who shall serve as co-chairs of the commission; the House and Senate Chairs of the Committee on Health Care; the Secretary of Public Safety or his designee; the Commissioner of Corrections or her designee; the Commissioner of Public Health or her designee; the Commissioner of Mental Health or her designee; one representative from each of the following organizations: Massachusetts College of Emergency Room Physicians; Massachusetts Medical Society; Massachusetts Public Health Association; Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services; Governor’s Commission on Corrections Reform.

                      Said commission shall file a report of its study, including its recommendations and drafts of legislation with the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives on or before December 31, 2009.  The sum of $200,000 shall be separately appropriated for the purposes of this act.