Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H4897: An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers
Status: In committee, July 9, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, January 8, 2026:
SECTION 1. Chapter 32A of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 34 the following new section:- Section 35. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings: “Behavioral health bundled services”, services delivered by a community behavioral health center as specified in 101 CMR 305.00 for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, care coordination, management, or peer support of patients with mental health, developmental or substance use disorder, provided that services are reimbursed through a flat rate per encounter. “Community Behavioral Health Centers”, a clinic licensed by the department of public health and regulated pursuant to 130 CMR 448.00. (b) Any health plan offered by the commission shall provide to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission benefits on a nondiscriminatory basis for medically necessary behavioral health bundled services delivered through community behavioral health centers. SECTION 2. Chapter 175 of the General Laws, is hereby amended by inserting before section 47CCC the following new section:- Section 47AAA. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings: “Behavioral health bundled services”, services delivered by a community behavioral health center as specified in 101 CMR 305.00 for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, care coordination, management, or peer support of patients …
Sponsors
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I) · primary sponsor
- James O'Day (D, 14th Worcester)
- Michael Kushmerek (D, 3rd Worcester)
- Lisa Field (D, 3rd Bristol)
Latest actions
- : Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
- : Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
- : New draft of H1276
- : Reported from the committee on Financial Services
Votes
- Committee Vote - Joint Committee on Financial Services (December 8, 2025): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H4897?
- H4897 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers.
- What is the status of H4897?
- In committee as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026 (July 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored H4897?
- Services, Joint Committee on Financial (I), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H4897?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4897
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.