SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1927 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1387
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John J. Cronin
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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 enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
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John J. Cronin | Worcester and Middlesex |
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Steven George Xiarhos | 5th Barnstable | 2/27/2025 |
Bruce E. Tarr | First Essex and Middlesex | 2/27/2025 |
John F. Keenan | Norfolk and Plymouth | 2/28/2025 |
James B. Eldridge | Middlesex and Worcester | 3/19/2025 |
Rebecca L. Rausch | Norfolk, Worcester and Middlesex | 4/4/2025 |
Nick Collins | First Suffolk | 4/7/2025 |
Paul R. Feeney | Bristol and Norfolk | 4/29/2025 |
William J. Driscoll, Jr. | Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol | 6/2/2025 |
Michael O. Moore | Second Worcester | 7/30/2025 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1927 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1387
By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1387) of John J. Cronin, Steven George Xiarhos, Bruce E. Tarr and John F. Keenan relative to authorizing physician assistants to issue psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2007 OF 2023-2024.]
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 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.