Bill S.577

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 944 FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 577

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

James B. Eldridge

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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 to improve access to child and adolescent mental health services.

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PETITION OF:

Name:	District/Address:
James B. Eldridge	Middlesex and Worcester
Sean Garballey	23rd Middlesex
Paul R. Heroux	2nd Bristol
Angelo M. Scaccia	14th Suffolk
Brian A. Joyce	Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth
Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.	26th Middlesex
Sal N. DiDomenico	Middlesex and Suffolk

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 944 FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 577

By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 577) of James B. Eldridge, Sean Garballey, Paul R. Heroux, Angelo M. Scaccia and other members of the General Court for legislation to improve access to child and adolescent mental health services. Health Care Financing.

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 to improve access to child and adolescent 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. Section 22 of Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the last paragraph, inserted by section 1 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

For the purposes of 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, a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist, or a licensed educational psychologist within the lawful scope of practice for such educational psychologist.

SECTION 2. Section 47B of Chapter 175 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to the last paragraph, inserted by section 2 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 3. Section A of Chapter 176A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to the last paragraph, inserted by section 4 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 4. Section 4A of Chapter 176B of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to the last paragraph, inserted by section 6 of chapter 80 of the acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 5. Section 4M of Chapter 176G of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out the next to the last paragraph, inserted by section 10 of chapter 80 to the acts of 2000, and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:—

SECTION 6. This act shall apply to all policies, contracts, agreements, plans and certificates of insurance issued or delivered within or without the commonwealth on or after March 1, 2006, and to all policies, contracts, agreements, plans and certificates of insurance in effect before that date upon renewal or after March 1, 2006.