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S 1397

An Act establishing alternative models for behavioral health transport

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Feeney

Massachusetts bill authorizes alternative behavioral health crisis transport programs using specialized teams instead of police for certain mental health emergencies.

Accompanied a study order, see S2972
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Bill Summary · S 1397

Legislative bill overview

S 1397 establishes alternative transportation models for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in Massachusetts, moving away from traditional police-led emergency response. The bill authorizes the creation of dedicated behavioral health transport programs that would dispatch mental health professionals or specialized teams instead of armed officers to certain mental health emergencies.

Why is this important

Current practice typically routes all emergency calls through police departments, which can escalate situations and may result in unnecessary arrests or use of force for individuals in mental health crisis. Alternative response models have shown in other jurisdictions that specialized teams can de-escalate situations more effectively, reduce costs, and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations while freeing police resources for actual public safety threats.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and call screening: Disagreement over which calls qualify for alternative transport versus police response, and concerns about safety if dispatchers misclassify dangerous situations
  • Implementation costs and funding: Questions about who funds these programs (state, municipalities, or combination) and whether existing budgets can support parallel response systems
  • Liability and oversight: Concerns from municipalities about liability if incidents occur, and debate over adequate training, credentials, and regulatory oversight of behavioral health transport teams

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

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