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H 4669

An Act relative to studying and improving the continuum of care for persons with mental health, substance use and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carmine Gentile and 1 co-sponsor

Mandates a statewide EOHHS study of the behavioral health care continuum and regional facility feasibility to improve access, transitions, and reduce gaps.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4669

Summary of H.4669: An Act relative to studying and improving the continuum of care for persons with mental health, substance use and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders

Quick overview

  • Introduced: November 5, 2025
  • Status: Reported favorably by the House committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery; referred to the House Ways and Means Committee
  • Sponsor/Origin: Based on a petition (H.2226) and committee recommendation
  • Purpose: To study the current continuum of care for behavioral health conditions and assess the feasibility of regional facilities, with the goal of identifying gaps and proposing a plan to improve access and transitions across levels of care

What the bill would do

  • Mandate a statewide study led by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) focused on the continuum of care for:
    • Mental health conditions
    • Substance use disorders
    • Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
  • Assess feasibility of regional facilities dedicated to behavioral health services and the potential need for such regional hubs

Key provisions and topics examined

  • Current regional availability and barriers: Identify gaps in access to all levels of care, including:
    • Acute treatment
    • Clinical stabilization
    • Transitional support
    • Residential recovery housing
    • Outpatient treatment (including medication-assisted treatment)
  • Impact on communities: Evaluate how existing services affect local communities and overall public health outcomes
  • Institutional barriers: Examine impediments to access and progression through the treatment continuum, such as:
    • Behavioral and physical health needs and acuity
    • Funding, costs and reimbursement rates
    • program space and capacity
    • Transportation and transit access
    • Harm reduction services, housing availability
    • Service fragmentation and lack of integrated care
  • Enhanced service architecture: Propose an integrated model to address gaps, including the need for regional continuum of care facilities and appropriate capacity at each level of care to ensure efficient access and progression as clinically necessary

Stakeholder involvement

  • The study must incorporate input from a broad range of stakeholders, including:
    • Professional associations, health care providers with behavioral health expertise
    • Experts in treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders and equity in access
    • Professionals delivering culturally competent care
    • Individuals with lived experience of seeking or receiving services
    • Executive agencies and other relevant state or local entities
    • Other stakeholders identified by the secretary
  • The executive office may consult external experts or third-party entities when needed, with disclosures about such contributions

Reporting timeline and requirements

  • Initial report: Due within 1 year of the act’s effective date. This report must include:
    • Findings and recommendations
    • Drafts of any necessary legislation
    • Any additional relevant information
  • Follow-up progress reporting: Beginning 1 year after the first report, and annually by December 31, the executive office must report:
    • Commonwealth-wide progress on implementing recommendations
    • Barriers to implementation
    • Additional recommendations to address barriers
    • Reports go to the clerks of the House and Senate, the joint committees on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery and on Health Care Financing, and the Governor

Practical impact and scope

  • Policy focus, not funding: The bill establishes a study and planning framework rather than appropriating funds or prescribing new programs. Findings could inform future legislation and potential capital or programmatic investments in regional facilities and continuum-of-care enhancements.
  • Potential outcomes: If the study supports it, Massachusetts could move toward a regionalized approach to behavioral health care, with clarified capacity needs, streamlined transitions between care levels, and strategies to reduce barriers to access and service fragmentation.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders (including those with co-occurring conditions)
  • Behavioral health providers and health systems
  • State agencies, particularly EOHHS and related health care financing and policymaking bodies
  • Communities where behavioral health services are located or expanded

Next steps

  • If enacted, EOHHS would conduct the study, engage stakeholders, and prepare the initial report within one year, followed by annual progress reports. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration alongside potential financing implications.

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

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