SENATE DOCKET, NO. 181        FILED ON: 1/21/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2403

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Barry R. Finegold

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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 establishing a commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 181        FILED ON: 1/21/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2403

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2996 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act establishing a commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 6A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 104 the following section:-

Section 105. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall establish a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Commission. The commission shall consist of: the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or a designee, who shall serve as Chair; the Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety, or a designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, or a designee and 17 persons to be appointed by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services: 2 of whom shall be experts in the field, 1 from Massachusetts General Hospital and 1 from Harvard University PTSD Research Laboratory in consultation with their relevant specialty chapters, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the Secretary of Massachusetts Veterans' Affairs or a designee, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the American Legion Department of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Federal Veterans Administration, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Department of Children and Families, 1 of whom shall be a representative of Boston Children's Hospital, 1 of whom shall be a representative of New England Police Benevolent Association, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Police Association, 1 of whom shall be a representative of Jane Doe, Inc., 1 of whom shall be representative from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, 1 of whom shall be a representative of Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an Emergency Medical Services program, and 3 of whom shall be representatives of a research advocacy, or support organization primarily serving individuals with PTSD, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the National Guard and appointed by the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard, 1 of whom shall be appointed from Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base program, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Corrections Officers Federated Union; and the House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

(b) The Commission shall: (1) develop and biennially update a summary of the advances made in research on and treatment and diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; (2) develop and biennially update a summary of the advances made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; (3) monitor Post Traumatic Stress Disorder research services, and support activities across the commonwealth, including coordination of the commonwealth's activities and programs with respect to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; (4) develop and annually update a comprehensive strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder including recommendations to (a) advance research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (b) improve the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (c) improve public awareness and recognition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (d) improve mental health care delivery for individuals with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (e) improve the early and accurate diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and (f) systematically advance the full spectrum of biomedical research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; (5) develop and biennially update the progress made in implementing such comprehensive strategic plan.

(c) The Commission shall submit its recommendations to the Governor and the Clerks of the House of Representatives and Senate biennially on or before January 31st of the second year of the legislative session.