Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-546

EHS 546

Forensic Psychiatric Hospital Planning Study Language

Messrs. Cronin, Eldridge, Moore, Keenan and Feeney, Ms. Gobi, Ms. Rausch, Ms. Lovely and Mr. O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, by inserting after item XXXX-XXXX the following item:-

XXXX-XXXX For the division of capital asset management and maintenance to conduct a pre-design study to plan a public development project for a forensic psychiatric hospital that provides patients a therapeutic environment for care and treatment under the direction of the department of mental health and that serves residents of the commonwealth who are committed pursuant to sections 7, 8, 15, and 18 of chapter 123 of the General Laws; provided, that such pre-design study shall be conducted in consultation with the executive office of health and human services, executive office of the trial court, department of mental health, department of public health, Disability Law Center, Inc., Prisoners’ Legal Services, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, the Center for Public Representation, and Massachusetts Association of Mental Health; provided further, that the study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an assessment of the Bridgewater state hospital property as an appropriate location for such facility; (ii) program needs of patients committed pursuant to sections 7, 8, 15, and 18 of chapter 123 of the General Laws; (iii) design features of a forensic psychiatric hospital, including, but not limited to, bed capacity and therapeutic program space requirements; (iv) costs of construction and financing strategies; and (v) timeline for development, construction, and operation of such facility; provided further, that the division shall submit a report to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives with its findings and recommendations for development of a forensic psychiatric hospital under the direction of the department of mental health by April 1, 2023…...…$1,000,000”.