Massachusetts legislation · 194th General Court
Massachusetts H2219: An Act expanding access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols
Status: Failed, March 30, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:
SECTION 1. Section 12 of chapter 123 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out subsection (a) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:- (a) A physician who is licensed pursuant to section 2 of chapter 112, an advanced practice registered nurse authorized to practice as such under regulations promulgated pursuant to section 80B of said chapter 112, a qualified psychologist licensed pursuant to sections 118 to 129, inclusive, of said chapter 112, a licensed independent clinical social worker licensed pursuant to sections 130 to 137, inclusive, of said chapter 112, or a licensed mental health counselor licensed pursuant to section 165 of chapter 112 who, after examining a person and evaluating the risk of serious harm, has reason to believe that failure to hospitalize such person would create a likelihood of serious harm to themselves or others by reason of mental health issues may restrain or authorize the restraint of such person and apply for the hospitalization of such person for a 3-day period at a public facility or at a private facility authorized for such purposes by the department. If an examination is not possible because of the emergency nature of the case and because of the refusal of the person to consent to such examination, the physician, …
Sponsors
- Kathleen LaNatra (D, 12th Plymouth) · primary sponsor
- Michelle Badger (D)
- Michael Brady (D, Second Plymouth and Norfolk)
- Patrick Kearney (D, 4th Plymouth)
- Michael Moore (D, Second Worcester)
- Jeffrey Roy (D, 10th Norfolk)
- Steven Xiarhos (R, 5th Barnstable)
Latest actions
- : Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27)
- : Hearing scheduled for 10/06/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
- : Senate concurred
- : Referred to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
- : Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order
Common questions
- What is H2219?
- H2219 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act expanding access to mental health services and strengthening risk assessment protocols.
- What is the status of H2219?
- Failed as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27) (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored H2219?
- Kathleen LaNatra (D, 12th Plymouth), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H2219?
- On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2219
Source: official Massachusetts record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.