HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3581        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2206

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Kate Donaghue and Michael P. Kushmerek

_________________

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 enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Kate Donaghue

19th Worcester

1/17/2025

Michael P. Kushmerek

3rd Worcester

1/17/2025

Christopher M. Markey

9th Bristol

2/20/2025

John J. Marsi

6th Worcester

2/20/2025

Patricia A. Duffy

5th Hampden

2/20/2025

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

2/20/2025

Joseph D. McKenna

18th Worcester

3/3/2025

Steven George Xiarhos

5th Barnstable

3/3/2025

Natalie M. Higgins

4th Worcester

3/3/2025

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex

3/3/2025

Judith A. Garcia

11th Suffolk

3/12/2025

Samantha Montaño

15th Suffolk

3/12/2025

Erika Uyterhoeven

27th Middlesex

3/24/2025

Adrian C. Madaro

1st Suffolk

3/24/2025

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

3/24/2025

Russell E. Holmes

6th Suffolk

4/1/2025

Jessica Ann Giannino

16th Suffolk

4/1/2025

Rebecca L. Rausch

Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex

4/7/2025

Sally P. Kerans

13th Essex

6/3/2025


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3581        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2206

By Representatives Donaghue of Westborough and Kushmerek of Fitchburg, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2206) of Kate Donaghue, Michael P. Kushmerek and others for legislation to enable physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use.  Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use.

 

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

SECTION 1. The first sentence of subsection (a) of section 12 of chapter 123 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the words “section 2 of chapter 112,” the following words:- a physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 9E of chapter 112,.

SECTION 2. The second sentence of said subsection (a) of said section 12 of said chapter 123 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “physician,” the following words:- , physician assistant.

SECTION 3. The third sentence of said subsection (a) of said section 12 of said chapter 123 is hereby amended by inserting after the word “physician,” the following words:- , physician assistant.

SECTION 4. Section 12 of said chapter 123 is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(f) Before any individual authorized by this section shall restrain an individual or authorize a psychiatric hold, the individual shall undergo 3 hours of specialized training in direct mental health evaluation. The training shall be developed pursuant to regulations and specifications by the department of mental health.