Massachusetts H1396: An Act strengthening mental health centers

What the bill says

From the introduced text, February 27, 2025:

SECTION 1. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after 13D½ the following section:- Section 13D¾. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings: “Behavioral health clinic”, a clinic licensed by the department of public health pursuant to section 3 and sections 51 through 56 of chapter 111 and regulated pursuant to 130 CMR 429.000. “Behavioral health services”, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, care coordination, management or peer support of patients with mental health, developmental or substance use disorder. “Independent practitioner”, an individual who is licensed by the board to practice independent clinical social work and who meets the qualifications set forth in section 131 of chapter 112 for an independent clinical social worker and is regulated pursuant to 130 CMR462.000. “Minimum payment rates”, rates of payment for services below which managed care entities may not enter into provider agreements. (b) The division shall increase minimum payment rates for behavioral health services by 5% per procedure code for rates of payment effective as of January 1, 2027. (c) Pursuant to sections 13C and 13D, and notwithstanding any general of special law to the contrary, the division shall ensure that each rate of payment or component payment in a bundled rate for behavioral health services …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• James O'Day (D, 14th Worcester) · primary sponsor
• Hadley Luddy (D)
• Lindsay Sabadosa (D, 1st Hampshire)
• Patricia Duffy (D, 5th Hampden)
• Christopher Hendricks (D)
• Edward Philips (D, 8th Norfolk)
• Sean Garballey (D, 23rd Middlesex)
• Margaret Scarsdale (D)
• John Moran (D, 9th Suffolk)
• Priscila Sousa (D)
• David Rogers (D, 24th Middlesex)
• David LeBoeuf (D)

Latest actions

1. July 9, 2026: Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
2. May 2, 2025: Hearing scheduled for 05/12/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in Gardner Auditorium
3. February 27, 2025: Senate concurred
4. February 27, 2025: Referred to the committee on Health Care Financing

Common questions

What is H1396?

H1396 is a bill in the Massachusetts Legislature (194th General Court): An Act strengthening mental health centers.

What is the status of H1396?

In committee as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026 (July 9, 2026).

Who sponsored H1396?

James O'Day (D, 14th Worcester), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H1396?

On the Massachusetts Legislature website: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1396