Amendment ID: S2769-15

Amendment 15

Availability of behavioral health screening

Messrs. Tarr and O'Connor move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section _ the following new section:-

"SECTION _. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office of public safety and security, in consultation with the department of mental health and the department of public health, shall examine: (i) the availability of behavioral health screening and preliminary treatment in situations necessitating an emergency response from municipal and state police, firefighters or other public safety personnel; (ii) ways to assist municipal and state police; firefighters and other public safety personnel in behavioral health screening and preliminary treatment in an emergency response; and (iii) incentives to support municipal and state police, firefighters and other public safety personnel in participating in behavioral health screening and treatment.

The executive office of public safety and security shall submit the examination and any recommendations to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery not later than 90 days after the effective date of this act"