Legal Authority:
Section 149 of Chapter 178 of the Acts of 2024
Statute
CHAPTER 197, SECTION 27.
SECTION 149. (a) There shall be a special commission to study post-traumatic stress disorder in the commonwealth.
(b) The commission shall consist of: the secretary of health and human services, or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the secretary of public safety and security, or a designee; the secretary of veterans’ services, or a designee; the commissioner of mental health, or a designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery; a representative of the National Guard appointed by the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard; and 9 members to be appointed by the secretary of health and human services, 1 of whom shall be an expert from the Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders Laboratory at Harvard University in consultation with their relevant specialty chapters, 1 of whom shall be a representative of Boston Children's Hospital, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Police Association, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative of Jane Doe Inc.: The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, 1 of whom shall be a representative from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, Inc., 1 of whom shall be a representative of Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Corrections Officers Federated Union, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a research advocacy or support organization primarily serving individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder and 1 of whom shall be a representative of Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base program.
(c) The commission shall:
(i) assess and summarize the advances made in research on and treatment and diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder;
(ii) assess and summarize the advances made in access to care for individuals with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder;
(iii) assess and summarize research services and support activities for post-traumatic stress disorder across the commonwealth, including coordination of the commonwealth's activities and programs with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder; and
(iv) develop a comprehensive strategic plan to improve health outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder including, but not limited to, recommendations to: (A) advance research on post-traumatic stress disorder; (B) improve the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder; (C) improve public awareness and recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder; (D) improve mental health care delivery for individuals with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; (E) improve the early and accurate diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder; and (F) systematically advance the full spectrum of biomedical research on post-traumatic stress disorder.
(d) The commission shall submit its findings and recommendations to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate not later than July 1, 2025.