Order relative to extending until Wednesday, March 18, 2026 the time within which the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery is authorized to report on a current House document

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mindy Domb and 1 co-sponsor

Extends, via override, the deadline for the House Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee to report on House Document 2196 to March 18, 2026, delaying action.

Adopted

Summary of H 4792 (HD 5367 replacement)

Overview

Type: House order extending a reporting deadline

Bill number: H 4792

Related bill: HD 5367 (listed as replacing this measure)

Title: Order extending until Wednesday, March 18, 2026 the time within which the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery is authorized to report on a current House document

Introduced: November 26, 2025 (Filed on November 25, 2025)

Context: Part of the 194th Massachusetts General Court (2025-2026)

What the bill does

This measure explicitly extends the deadline for the House committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to file its final report on a specified current House document, identified as House Document 2196.

The extension is until March 18, 2026.

The mechanism uses a procedural override: “notwithstanding the provisions of House Rule 27,” meaning the extension allows an atypical deadline that surpasses the standard rule for committee reporting.

Key provisions and changes

Extension of deadline: The committee is granted more time to complete and submit its final report on House Document 2196.

Scope of extension: Applies specifically to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Rule override: Uses a formal exception to House Rule 27 to authorize the longer reporting period.

Temporal anchor: The new deadline is March 18, 2026 (a Wednesday).

Who is affected

Primary: The Massachusetts House committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, which gains additional time to produce its final report on House Document 2196.

Secondary: Stakeholders who rely on the committee’s report for policy considerations, potential legislation, or funding decisions related to mental health, substance use, and recovery services may experience a shift in the legislative timeline.

General: Lawmakers and staff involved in drafting, reviewing, or acting on the related House Document 2196.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Legislative vehicle: An order, not a substantive bill changing policy; a housekeeping measure to adjust timing.

Deadline impact: Without this extension, the committee would need to report by an earlier date per House Rule 27. The order preserves the status quo of extending that deadline.

Current status: The document indicates a procedural extension; it does not provide substantive policy changes beyond delaying the timeline.

Relationship to related bills

HD 5367 is noted as replacing H 4792, suggesting that the measure is superseded or supersedes this version in the ongoing legislative process. The replacement bill likely contains the same or similar extension language and is the version currently advancing.

Potential impact

Allows more time for the committee to complete its analysis and finalize its report on House Document 2196, potentially affecting subsequent scheduling for consideration or action on related legislation.

Provides procedural flexibility in response to delays or the need for additional information related to mental health, substance use, and recovery policy discussions.