Amendment #805 to H4700

Commission on mental health and suicide prevention

Mr. Mirra of Georgetown moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:- “SECTION XX. There shall be established the Massachusetts Commission on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Management to be comprised of seven members; The Governor or his/her designee, the Attorney General or his/her designee, the Secretary of Health and Human Services or his/her designee, the Commissioner of The Department of Mental Health or his/her designee, the Commissioner of Executive Office of Public Safety and Security or his/her designee, the Speaker of the House or his/her designee, and the Senate President or his/her designee. Said commission shall examine the state of suicide prevention and mental health crisis management in the Commonwealth. The commission will include in its study emergency and outpatient care needs, inpatient and long-term care needs, facility and infrastructure needs, public information and outreach; professional training needs and potential shortages, establishing a dedicated fund suitable to accept donations from charitable organizations for said needs and other means of funding sources. Said commission shall examine current and proposed suicide prevention and mental health crisis management measures including but not limited to counseling services, diversionary programs, doctors’ interventions, police wellness visits, court programs, youth education, Sections 12 and Section 35 of Chapter 123 and shall issue a report no later than January 1 2023 with recommendations for improvements to those efforts including expanded access, additional channels of communication, improvements to follow up programs, assistance on securing a home from materials that could be a danger to individuals who may be a risk to themselves, and increased marketing. Said commission shall also report on the current relative statistics regarding suicide and the means of suicide as established by the Injury Surveillance Program under the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; and shall also include legal information on how certain means of suicide or harm such as firearms, excessive medications or alcohol, suffocation or hanging can be handled if believed to be a potential hazard.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #805 to H4700

Commission on mental health and suicide prevention