SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1367        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1025

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Harriette L. Chandler

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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 regarding the Department of Mental Health's citizen boards.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1367        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1025

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act regarding the Department of Mental Health's citizen boards.

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: Chapter 19 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out in section 8A, the words  Medfield, Taunton, Westborough and Worcester, and inserting in place thereof the words:- Taunton and the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital

Section 2: Said chapter 19 is hereby further amended by striking out section 14, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section: -

14.  In each area established under section 12 there shall be a community mental health area board, hereinafter called the area board, which shall be an agency of the commonwealth, and shall serve in the department. The area board shall consist of as least fifteen members, who shall be appointed by the commissioner. Two thirds of the members shall live within the area for which they are appointed, and the remaining members shall either live or work within said area. The commissioner shall seek to provide proper geographical representation in the membership of the board.

Two thirds of such members shall be persons other than employees of the commonwealth. No member shall be an employee of the department.

Upon the expiration of the term of any member of the area board, a successor shall be appointed, in like manner, for a term of three years. In the event of vacancy, the commissioner may, in like manner, appoint a member who shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members of the board shall serve without compensation, and shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties. The area board shall suggest for consideration by the commissioner one or more names for each such expiring term or vacancy. No member shall be appointed for more than two consecutive three-year terms.