HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3873        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1701

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Paul Brodeur

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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 resolve:

Resolve establishing a special commission on post traumatic stress disorder.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3873        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1701

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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Resolve establishing a special commission on post traumatic stress disorder.

Resolved, there shall be a special commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws which shall make an investigation and study of post traumatic stress and make recommendations to enhance services, policies, and programs in the commonwealth where appropriate and necessary. The commission shall have a particular focus on how the diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic stress injuries affects access to health insurance, retirement benefits, and disability benefits. The commission will recommend legislation as required to implement said recommendations. The commission shall assess the policies, funding, and programming needed to address the needs of those affected by post-traumatic stress.  The commission shall evaluate statutes, regulations, and policies related to access to insurance coverage, retirement benefits, and disability benefits, including but not limited to notice and other claims provisions. The commission shall identify any impediments to access to programs and benefits and propose solutions to address any impediments identified by the commission. The commission, in formulating its recommendations, shall take account of the best policies and practices in other states and jurisdictions. The commission shall be empowered to hold regular public meetings, fact-finding hearings and other public forums as it considers necessary. The special commission shall consist of the House chair of the committee on public service or her designee who shall serve as co-chair of the commission; the Senate chair of the committee on public service or her designee who shall serve as co-chair of the commission; the secretary of veterans services or his designee; the commissioner of public health or her designee; the executive director of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission or his designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health; and 3 members appointed by the governor, of whom one shall be a member of a public employees union, and one of whom shall have clinical expertise in identifying and treating post-traumatic stress injuries; two members of the Massachusetts bar each of whom shall have expertise in insurance, public employee benefits law, or other relevant areas germane to the charge of this commission.