988 Commission Statute

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Legal Authority: Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022

Full text of the Legislation: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2022/Chapter177

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Summary

(1)  There shall be a state 988 commission within the executive office of health and human services to provide ongoing strategic oversight and guidance in all matters regarding 988 service in the commonwealth.

(2)  The commission shall review national guidelines and best practices and make recommendations for implementation of a statewide 988 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis system, including any legislative or regulatory changes that may be necessary for 988 implementation and recommendations for funding that may include the establishment of user fees. The commission shall also advise on promoting the 988 number including, but not limited to, recommendations for including information about calling 988 on student identification cards and on signage in locations where there have been known suicide attempts.

(3)  The commission shall consist of:

• the secretary of health and human services or the secretary’s designee, who shall serve as chair;
• the secretary of public safety and security or the secretary’s designee;
• the commissioner of mental health or the commissioner’s designee;
• the commissioner of public health or the commissioner’s designee;
• the executive director of the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership or the executive director’s designee;
• the executive director of the state 911 department or the executive director’s designee;
• the executive director of Mass 2-1-1 or the executive director’s designee;
• a representative designated by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Inc.;
• a 911 dispatcher designated by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Incorporated;
• an emergency medical technician or first responder nominated by the Massachusetts Ambulance Association, Incorporated;
• And the following members to be appointed by the chair:
  • 1 representative from an emergency service provider, nominated by the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from a suicide prevention hotline in the commonwealth, nominated by the Samaritans, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the Riverside Community Care, Inc. MassSupport program;
  • 1 representative from the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention;
  • 1 representative from the Children’s Mental Health Campaign;
  • 1 representative from the INTERFACE Referral Service at William James College, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the Boston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People;
  • 1 representative from the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, Inc.;
  • 1 representative from the mental health legal advisors committee; and
  • 3 persons who are or have been consumers of mental health or substance use disorder supports or services.

Every reasonable effort shall be made to ensure representation from all geographic areas of the commonwealth.

(4)  Annually, not later than March 1, the commission shall submit its findings and recommendations to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the joint committee on health care financing.

Date published:	February 10, 2023