SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1425        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2323

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. 1425        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2323

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2403 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 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:

(i) the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, or a designee, who shall serve as chair;

(ii) the secretary of the executive office of public safety and security, or a designee;

(iii) the commissioner of the department of mental health, or a designee;

(iv) the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery; and

(v) 20 persons to be appointed by the secretary of the executive office of health and human services, of whom:

(A) 2 shall be experts in the field, 1 from Massachusetts General Hospital and 1 from Harvard University's PTSD Research Laboratory in consultation with their relevant specialty chapters;

(B) 1 shall be a representative from the department of veterans' services or a designee;

(C) 1 shall be a representative of the American Legion Department of Massachusetts;

(D) 1 shall be a representative of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Massachusetts;

(E) 1 shall be a representative of the Federal Veterans Administration;

(F) 1 shall be a representative of the department of children and families;

(G) 1 shall be a representative of Boston Children's Hospital;

(H) 1 shall be a representative of the New England Police Benevolent Association;

(I) 1 shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Police Association;

(J) 1 shall be a representative of Jane Doe, Inc.;

(K) 1 shall be representative from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition;

(L) 1 shall be a representative of Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts;

(M) 1 shall be a representative of an emergency medical services program;

(N) 3 shall be representatives of a research advocacy or support organization primarily serving individuals with PTSD;

(O) 1 shall be a representative of the National Guard and appointed by the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard;

(P) 1 shall be appointed from Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base program; and

(Q) 1 shall be appointed by the Massachusetts Corrections Officers Federated Union.

(b) The Commission shall:

(i) develop and biennially update a summary of the advances made in research on and treatment and diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;

(ii) develop and biennially update a summary of the advances made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;

(iii) 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;

(iv) develop and annually update a comprehensive strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder including, but not limited to, recommendations to:

(1) advance research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;

(2) improve the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;

(3) improve public awareness and recognition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;

(4) improve mental health care delivery for individuals with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;

(5) improve the early and accurate diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and

(6) systematically advance the full spectrum of biomedical research on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and

(v) 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.