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Bill

H 2206

An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kate Donaghue and 18 co-sponsors

Expands psychiatric hold authorization to trained physician assistants, increasing access to involuntary commitment authority beyond physicians in Massachusetts mental health care.

Accompanied a study order, see H5338 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 2206

Legislative bill overview

H.2206 would authorize physician assistants (PAs) in Massachusetts to initiate psychiatric holds (involuntary commitments) for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others, with mandatory training requirements on proper use. Currently, only physicians and certain other licensed clinicians can authorize such holds. The bill aims to expand access to this emergency psychiatric intervention in areas with physician shortages.

Why is this important

Psychiatric holds are coercive interventions that temporarily deprive individuals of liberty—among the most serious actions the healthcare system can take. Expanding who can authorize them affects vulnerable populations and raises questions about consistency in clinical judgment, training adequacy, and potential for misuse. It also reflects workforce realities in mental health access across Massachusetts.

Potential points of contention

  • Clinical authority scope: Whether PAs have equivalent training and accountability for high-stakes decisions involving involuntary commitment compared to psychiatrists and physicians
  • Training sufficiency: What constitutes "adequate training" and whether a standardized requirement protects against inappropriate holds or regional variation in application
  • Equity concerns: Risk that expanded authority could disproportionately affect marginalized communities if training doesn't emphasize cultural competency and bias recognition in psychiatric assessment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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