SENATE DOCKET, NO. 905        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 757

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to children's mental health clinicians..

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

SECTION 1.  Section 22 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “setting” in the first sentence of subsection (g), the following words: - and for children and adolescents under the age of 19, shall include any and all collateral services

SECTION 2. Subsection (i) of said section 22 of said chapter 32A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:—   Under this section, “collateral services” shall mean face-to-face or telephonic consultation, of at least 15 minutes in duration, by a licensed mental health professional with parties determined by the licensed mental health professional to be necessary to make a diagnosis, and develop and implement a treatment plan.

SECTION 3. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is amended by inserting after section 10F the following section:—   Section 10G. The division shall provide coverage for collateral services performed by a licensed mental health professional for persons under 19 years of age. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to abrogate any obligation to provide coverage for mental health services pursuant to any law or regulation of the commonwealth or the United States or under the terms or provisions of any policy, contract, or certificate.            Under this section, “collateral services” shall mean face-to-face or telephonic consultation, of at least 15 minutes in duration, by a licensed mental health professional with parties determined by the licensed mental health professional to be necessary to make a diagnosis, and develop and implement a treatment plan.            Under this section, “licensed mental health professional” shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, or a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist.

SECTION 4.  Section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by inserting after the word “setting” in the first sentence of subsection (g), the following words: - and for children and adolescents under the age of 19, shall include any and all collateral services.

SECTION 5. Subsection (i) of said section 47B of said chapter 175, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:—   Under this section, “collateral services” shall mean face-to-face or telephonic consultation, for at least 15 minutes of duration, by a licensed mental health professional with parties determined by the licensed mental health professional to be necessary to make a diagnosis, and develop and implement a treatment plan.

SECTION 6.  Section 8A of chapter 176A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “setting” in the first sentence of subsection (g), the following words: - and for children and adolescents under the age of 19, shall include any and all collateral services.

SECTION 7. Subsection (i) of said section 8A of said chapter 176A, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:— Under this section, “collateral services” shall mean face-to-face or telephonic consultation, of at least 15 minutes of duration, by a licensed mental health professional with parties determined by the licensed mental health professional to be necessary to make a diagnosis, and develop and implement a treatment plan.

SECTION 8.  Section 4A of said chapter 176B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “setting” in the first sentence of subsection (g), the following words: - and for children and adolescents under the age of 19, shall include any and all collateral services.

SECTION 9. Subsection (i) of said section 4A of said chapter 176B, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph:— Under this section, “collateral services” shall mean face-to-face or telephonic consultation, of at least 15 minutes of duration, by a licensed mental health professional with parties determined by the licensed mental health professional to be necessary to make a diagnosis, and develop and implement a treatment plan.

SECTION 10. Said section 4M of chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “setting” in the first sentence of subsection (g), the following words: - and for children and adolescents under the age of 19, shall include any and all collateral services.

SECTION 11. Said section 4M of said chapter 176G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph:— Under this section, “collateral services” shall mean face-to-face or telephonic consultation, of at least 15 minutes of duration, by a licensed mental health professional with parties determined by the licensed mental health professional to be necessary to make a diagnosis, and develop and implement a treatment plan.