Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4895: An Act expanding access to mental health services
Status: In committee, July 30, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 8, 2026:
SECTION 1. Section 17S of chapter 32A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- (b) The commission shall provide to any active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for medically necessary mental health services within an inpatient psychiatric facility, a community health center, a community behavioral health center, a community mental health center, an outpatient substance use disorder provider, a hospital outpatient department, a community-based acute treatment an intensive community-based acute treatment, crisis stabilization services, and youth crisis stabilization services, and shall not require a preauthorization before obtaining treatment; provided, however, that if a patient is admitted to a facility, the facility shall notify the carrier of the admission and the initial treatment plan within three business days of admission; and provided further that services administered prior to notification must be covered. Notification shall be limited to patient’s name, facility name, time of admission, diagnosis, and initial treatment plan. Medical necessity shall be determined by the treating clinician in consultation with the patient and noted in the member’s medical record. SECTION 2. Section 25C ½ of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after subsection …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
- Samantha Montaño (D)
- Natalie Higgins (D, 4th Worcester)
- Russell Holmes (D, 6th Suffolk)
- Estela Reyes (D)
Latest actions
- : Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H1131
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Health Care Financing (July 16, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (December 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4895?
- H4895 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act expanding access to mental health services.
- What is the status of H4895?
- In committee as of July 30, 2026. Latest action: Committee recommended bill ought to pass and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means (July 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4895?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4895?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4895
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.