HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1671        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2112

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Kate Lipper-Garabedian

_________________

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.

_______________

PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1671        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2112

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

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 disorder, including, but not limited to prevention and treatment of said disorder. The commission shall make recommendations to enhance services, treatments, policies and programs in the commonwealth where appropriate and necessary. In preparing its report the commission shall: (i) evaluate all relevant statutes, regulations and policies in the commonwealth and in other states and jurisdictions; (ii) evaluate the effectiveness of available treatment options and make recommendations for improvements where necessary, including a focus on regional equity and culturally competent care; (iii) assess the impact of race, ethnicity, gender identity, geography and specific professions on the incidence of post traumatic stress disorder and related barriers to accessing treatment; (iv) identify standards for screening and early and accurate diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder; (v) identify the impact of the diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic stress disorder on access to health insurance, retirement benefits and disability benefits; (vi) assess the current behavioral health workforce, workforce needs and shortages as related to incidence, diagnosis and treatment of post traumatic stress disorder; (vii) examine the issue of post traumatic stress disorder within the context of the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19; and (viii) identify and recommend legislation and funding as required to implement said recommendations.

The commission shall elect from among its members a chair and any other officers it considers necessary. The commission shall consist of the following 15 members: the secretary of the executive office of health and human services or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of labor and workforce development or a designee; the secretary of the executive office of public safety and security or a designee; the house chair of the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs or a designee; the senate chair of the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs or a designee; the house chair of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery or a designee; the senate chair of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery or a designee; the house chair of the joint committee on labor and workforce development or a designee; the senate chair of the joint committee on labor and workforce development or a designee; the executive director of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health or a designee; the executive director of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance; and 3 members to be appointed by governor, 1 of whom shall be a provider with clinical expertise in identifying and treating post-traumatic stress injuries, 1 of whom shall have expertise in addressing behavioral health in minority communities and 1 of whom shall be a member of a public employees union.

The commission shall submit its report to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on labor and workforce development.