Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4896: An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness
Status: In committee, July 30, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 8, 2026:
SECTION 1. Section 18 of chapter 15A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:- Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any qualifying student health insurance plan authorized under this chapter shall provide coverage for coordinated specialty care services and assertive community treatment service as described under section 4FF of chapter 176G. SECTION 2. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:- Section 35. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise: “Assertive Community Treatment”, a team-based, evidenced-based treatment practice that offers treatment, rehabilitation, and support services, using a person-centered, recovery-based flexible treatment program, as defined by evidence-based standards, including, but not limited to, the most current guidelines issued by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Practice may also include those modalities specifically designed for pediatric patients under the age of 19 that have been adapted from guidelines issued by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the National Institute of Health. “Behavioral health services”, care and services for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment or management of patients with mental health, developmental or substance use disorders. “Coordinated Specialty Care”, a recovery-oriented treatment …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- Marjorie Decker (D, 25th Middlesex)
- Natalie Higgins (D, 4th Worcester)
- Priscila Sousa (D)
- 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 H1135
- : 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 H4896?
- H4896 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness.
- What is the status of H4896?
- 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 H4896?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4896?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4896
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.