See how you can help with MAMH's most urgent priorities!
Our FY23 budget priorities focus on addressing the increased demand for safe housing, behavioral health care, and related social services stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about our budget priorities here.
MAMH's legislative agenda for 2021-2022 supports three main goals - expanding access, decriminalizing mental health conditions, and promoting wellness. With a focus on prevention and ongoing concerns of parity, MAMH staff and partners will work closely with legislators on bills to support each of these priorities. To learn more about MAMH's overall legislative priorities, refer to our MAMH's 2021-22 Legislative Agenda.
MAMH applauds both the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives for taking great steps towards improving mental health and ending care disparities in the Commonwealth!
Massachusetts is poised to adopt mental health reform legislation that would create a new Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention, require insurers to cover annual mental wellness exams, and ensure that Emergency Departments have mental health professional available during operating hours to evaluate and stabilize patients.
These provisions and other important changes are included in legislation that was passed by the Legislature on August 1, 2022. S.3097, An Act addressing barriers to care for mental health, will improve access to behavioral health care for every individual and family in the Commonwealth.
The bill makes important improvements to support mental health and wellness across the Commonwealth. Governor Baker has until August 11, 2022 to sign, offer amendments, or veto the bill.
To learn about our support of and the need for Governor Baker to sign the bill, please read MAMH’s letter to the Governor.
To learn more about the efforts and dedication of legislators to craft and pass the bill, please read MAMH's thank you letter to legislators.
You can make a difference by contacting your legislators today and encouraging them to support the goals that matter to you!
| Legislation | Description | More Information |
|---|---|---|
S.1287, An Act to increase investment in behavioral health care in the Commonwealth |
The behavioral health system has long been underfunded. This bill will increase investment in behavioral health care – 30% per year over three years, above baseline expenditures, adding behavioral health expenditures as a specific focus to the Health Policy Commission’s annual cost trends hearings. |
|
S.675, An Act relative to mental health parity implementation |
There remains a stark lack of parity between behavioral health and physical health. This bill will improve enforcement of existing parity legislation and take steps to remove barriers to care. |
Bill |
H.2081 & S.1274, An Act to better coordinate suicide prevention services, behavioral health crisis care and emergency services through 988 implementation |
More investment is needed in alternatives to law enforcement response to behavioral health/social service needs. This bill will create a 988 infrastructure in Massachusetts that coordinates several parts of a cohesive crisis response and additional follow up. |
Bill (House) |
H.2083, An Act relative to behavioral health urgent care |
Urgent care is typically not available for children and adults seeking help for behavioral health conditions. To support a system of behavioral health urgent care, the Department of Public Health must develop a regulatory framework to ensure families in need of care during a behavioral health crisis can access the appropriate treatments. |
| Legislation | Description | More Information |
|---|---|---|
H.2461 & S.1567, An Act to enhance 911 operations for behavioral health crisis response |
Our existing emergency response system must be better able to triage people in behavioral health crisis away from law enforcement. This bill will integrate behavioral health as a primary response type into the 911 system. |
|
H.2089 & S.1283, An Act to ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch |
Trauma inflicted on prisoners, which is disproportionately inflicted on those with mental health conditions, must end. This bill will address the egregious constitutional violations by DOC on prisoners on mental health suicide watch. |
| Legislation | Description | More Information |
|---|---|---|
S.91, An Act relative to screening for childhood trauma |
Trauma remains a near universal experience for individuals involved in various care systems. This bill establishes an advisory working group to update, amend, and select tools and protocols for the screening of children for trauma. |
|
S.1275, An Act establishing an Office of Behavioral Health Promotion |
In order to better provide behavioral health care in the Commonwealth, additional investment must be made in communicating/promoting available behavioral health services. This bill establishes such an office within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. |
|
H.616 & S.292, An Act relative to the promotion of mental health education |
A significant and growing number of youth experience mental health issues – a reality made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill will require K-12 schools to provide mental health education to students. |
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MAMH is proud to join the nation’s leading mental health advocacy organizations in calling for policy, programs, and standards that prioritize mental health care and address the social and economic conditions that contribute to mental health conditions. Read our Our Unified Vision for Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care!
MAMH President & CEO Danna Mauch speaking at a Joint Committee on The Judiciary hearing in June, 2021.
Student Angela Wallace testifying at a Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery in June, 2021.