SENATE DOCKET, NO. 575        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1047

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joan B.  Lovely

_________________

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 to increase access to mental health services.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Joan B.  Lovely

Second Essex

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

Leonard Mirra

2nd Essex

Barbara A. L'Italien

Second Essex and Middlesex

Anne M. Gobi

Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

Sal N. DiDomenico

Middlesex and Suffolk


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 575        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1047

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1047) of Joan B.  Lovely, Michael O. Moore, Leonard Mirra, Barbara L'Italien and other members of the General Court for legislation to increase access to mental health services.  Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

_______________

 

An Act to increase access to mental health services.

 

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. Subsection (g) of said section 7 of chapter 94C of the general laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended  in the second paragraph by striking out, in lines 129 and 130,  and in lines 138 and 139, the words “and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists”.

SECTION 2. Subsection (g) of said section 7 of chapter 94C of the general laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following paragraph;-

The commissioner shall promulgate regulations which provide for the registration of psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists  as defined in section 80 B of chapter 112, to issue written prescriptions in accordance with regulations pursuant to section 80I of chapter 112. Prior to promulgating such regulations, the commissioner shall consult with the board of registration in nursing with regard to those schedules of controlled substances for which psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists may be registered.

SECTION 3. Section 80E of Chapter 112 is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 2 and in lines 7 and 8, the words “or psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist”.

SECTION 4. Chapter 112 is hereby amended by adding section 80I: -

Section 80I. A nurse authorized to practice as a psychiatric nurse mental health clinical  specialist  pursuant to section 80B, may order and interpret tests, therapeutics and prescribe medications in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board and subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of section 7 of chapter 94C.