HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5747        FILED ON: 3/5/2026

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

David Allen Robertson and 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 relative to security at Tewksbury Hospital.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 5747        FILED ON: 3/5/2026

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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 relative to security at Tewksbury Hospital.

 Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to protect the security and the general public at Tewksbury Hospital, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public safety.
 

 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 18¾ of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2024 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

 (16) to choose the state agency, within the executive office of public safety and security, pursuant to section 18, that shall supervise and manage security for inpatient and outpatient services located at Tewksbury Hospital.

 SECTION 2. Section 25C of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

 (p) Notwithstanding this section, security for inpatient and outpatient services located at Tewksbury hospital established in chapter 122 shall be a function of the secretary of public safety pursuant to section 18¾ of chapter 6A.

 SECTION 3. Chapter 122 of the General Laws  is hereby amended by striking out section 1 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

 Section 1. (a) The department shall have general supervision of the Tewksbury hospital and may delegate any of its powers and duties to and execute any of its functions by agents appointed for the function.

 (b) Subject to appropriation and subject to sections 25B to 25G, inclusive, of chapter 111, the department shall establish at the Tewksbury hospital, with the approval of the superintendent and the trustees, any inpatient or outpatient services, including but not limited to medical, surgical, restorative, rehabilitative or chronic services, mental health and intellectual disability services, extended care services, dental services, rehabilitative therapy services, family planning services, services for treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction, skilled nursing care services, intermediate care facility services and residency care services.

 (c) Notwithstanding this section, the secretary of public safety shall supervise and manage security for inpatient and outpatient services located at Tewksbury Hospital pursuant to section 18¾ of chapter 6A.