Study Order

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill commissions a study by the Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery committee to review addiction services, inpatient and correctional mental health care, and related pol

Discharged to the committee on House Rules

Purpose and intent

The bill is an authorized study order directing a state legislative committee to investigate and examine a set of concerns related to addiction services, inpatient treatment, and associated mental health care.

The objective is to review current policies, programs, and processes in these areas and to develop findings, recommendations, and potential legislative drafts to implement those recommendations.

What the bill orders the committee to study

The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery is empowered to sit during a recess of the General Court to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study of the following House documents:
- H 2197: Addiction services access
- H 2200: Administration of opioid maintenance treatment within the prescription monitoring program
- H 2201: Quality mental health services in state correctional facilities
- H 2206: Legislation to enable physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use
- H 2210: Inpatient mental health care treatment
- H 2216: Regulation or consideration regarding anti-psychotic or other psychotropic medications
- H 4696: Establishment of a board to register licensed mental health counselors

What the bill requires and authorizes

The committee is authorized to gather information, assess current statutes and programs, and solicit input from stakeholders, experts, and affected populations.

The committee must file a report with the General Court that includes:

The results of the investigation and study
Any recommendations based on findings
Drafts of legislation necessary to implement those recommendations

The deadline for filing the report, including proposed legislation, is December 31, 2026.

Who would be affected

Individuals seeking addiction services and treatment

Patients receiving opioid maintenance treatment

Inmates and clients in state correctional facilities requiring mental health services

Medical professionals, including physician assistants, who participate in psychiatric holds and related training

Recipients of inpatient mental health care

Patients prescribed anti-psychotic or other psychotropic medications

Professionals in or seeking licensure with mental health counselor registration

Procedural and timeline aspects

This is a study order rather than a bill that would immediately change law. It authorizes the committee to investigate during a recess and to compile findings.

The reporting deadline is December 31, 2026.

After completion, the committee may propose drafts of legislation to carry any recommendations into effect, which would then be considered by the General Court through its normal process.

Notes

The measure references a broad set of topics, indicating an intent to harmonize access to addiction services, ensure quality in inpatient and correctional mental health care, clarify and train on psychiatric holds, and address licensure for mental health professionals.

The bill is accompanied by several related bills explored in the study (2197, 2200, 2201, 2206, 2210, 2216, 4696), suggesting a comprehensive review across multiple facets of addiction and mental health services.

Bill