FILED ON: 11/20/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3805

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act relative to the temporary release of persons under the care of the department of mental health.

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 15 of chapter 123 of the General Laws , as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition , is hereby amended in paragraph (b) by adding at the end of the paragraph the following sentence:-  

Unless otherwise ordered by the court making the commitment, any person committed to a facility under the provisions of this section shall be restricted in his movements to the buildings and grounds of the facility at which he is committed.  

SECTION 2.  Section 16 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby amended in paragraph (a) by adding at the end of the paragraph the following sentence:-  

Unless otherwise ordered by the court making the commitment, any person committed to a facility under the provisions of this paragraph shall be restricted in his movements to the buildings and grounds of the facility at which he is committed.  

SECTION 3.  Section 18 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby amended in paragraph (a) by adding at the end of the paragraph the following sentence:-  

Unless otherwise ordered by the court making the commitment, any person committed to a facility under the provisions of this section shall be restricted in his movements to the buildings and grounds of the facility at which he is committed.

4)       The chief of police may appeal the release of such person to the direction of the facility where the person is under care who shall have final authority in the matter.  The chief of police shall be notified of the decision within 24 hours of his appeal.