HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1366        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1987

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Colleen M. Garry

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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 special commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including but not limited to investigation of PTSD caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1366        FILED ON: 1/18/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1987

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2091 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act establishing a special commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including but not limited to investigation of PTSD caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic.

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 Special Commission shall consist of: the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, or a designee, who shall serve as Chair; 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  representative from the Secretary of Massachusetts Veterans’ Affairs,  1 of whom shall be 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 representative of the Department of Children and Families, 1 of whom shall be representative of Boston Children's Hospital, 1 of whom shall be representative of New England Police Benevolent Association, 1 of whom shall be representative of the Massachusetts Police Association, 1 of whom shall be representative of  Jane Doe, Inc., 1 of whom shall be representative of the immigrant/refugee population, 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, 1 from the Massachusetts Nurses Association and 2 of whom shall be representative of a research advocacy, or support organization primarily serving individuals with PTSD.

(b) The Commission shall: (1) develop and annually update a summary of the advances made in research on and treatment and diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; (2) develop and annually update a summary of the advances made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis 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) investigate the PTSD diagnoses and treatment successes as the result of the COVID 19 Pandemic; (5) develop and annually 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 annually on or before December 31.