HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2148        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marjorie C. Decker

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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 reducing emergency department boarding.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2148        FILED ON: 1/15/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act reducing emergency department boarding.

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. Section 12 of Chapter 123 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding after the first paragraph in subsection (a) the following paragraphs:-

No person shall be involuntarily held for more than 72 hours at a facility that has not been authorized by the department to perform evaluations under section 12(b). Any person held longer than 72 hours must be released.

Any psychiatric hold lasting for more than 48 hours at a facility that has not been authorized by the department to perform evaluations under section 12(b) must be referred to the Committee for Public Counsel Services for appointment of counsel.