Massachusetts H2204: An Act relative to creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1: Chapter 19 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section at the end thereof: - Section 25. There shall be, within the Department of Mental Health, at least two intensive stabilization and treatment units for patients who exhibit persistently aggressive or self-destructive behavior or exhibit atypically, intensively violent behavior that requires specialized care. One unit shall be designated for men and one unit shall be designated for women. Said units shall be located at a specific and central location and be secured and physically separate from other units. These units shall provide comprehensive evaluation, stabilization and psychiatric treatment which shall include, but not be limited to: violence assessments, behavioral management consultation, interpersonal conflict resolution strategies, critical incident debriefings and transfer evaluations. These units shall include appropriate staffing levels to address the needs of the patient population with an interdisciplinary staff, including but not limited to registered nurses, clinical social workers, mental health workers, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and rehabilitation specialists, who have undergone specialized training to work effectively with this patient population. Upon behavior stabilization, the staff on the unit shall develop a plan for the safe and timely transfer of the patient out of the intensive stabilization and treatment unit.

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Carol Doherty (D, 3rd Bristol) · primary sponsor
• James Hawkins (D, 2nd Bristol)

Latest actions

1. March 30, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27)
2. October 31, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 11/10/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
3. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
4. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
5. : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Common questions

What is H2204?

H2204 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act relative to creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health.

What is the status of H2204?

Failed as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27) (March 30, 2026).

Who sponsored H2204?

Carol Doherty (D, 3rd Bristol), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for H2204?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2204