Transcript Highlights:

• But people don't believe it because in public spaces they see a lot of disorder, people suffering from
• behavioral health disorders.
• In public spaces, they see a lot of disorder, people suffering from behavioral health disorders.
• important topic: ways to intervene with people who are languishing in the streets, and also the disorder
• points in the criminal justice process, particularly for people suffering from behavioral health disorders

Summary: The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training. City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation. Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, from a professional disorder.
• </c> is the backbone substance use disorder is the backbone substance use disorder treatment<01:34:42.080
• </c><01:46:47.280><c> treatment</c> substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder treatment
• </c> individuals with substance use disorders individuals with substance use disorders as<01:49:08.560
• As of today, we substance use disorders.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• individuals, people with serious mental health conditions, and those struggling with substance use disorders
• down the list, there's an opportunity for an exemption in both programs related to substance use disorders
• , disabling mental health disorders, significant physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities
• So under federal rules, a mental health disorder or a substance abuse issue would fall under an exemption
• often reluctant to disclose if they may have a mental health, mental illness, or a substance use disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• in support of H. 2909, an act relative to the disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder
• So we know post-traumatic stress disorder is real and very serious.
• Domenico, an act relative to disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Domenico, an act relative to disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Senate 1821 and House 2909, an act relative to disability or death caused by post-traumatic stress disorder

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public safety and public sector employees, with most of the discussion focused on expanding occupational presumptions and retirement protections for police, firefighters, correction officers, court officers, and other public employees. Testifiers from the Legislature, police and fire unions, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, PERAC, and the AFL-CIO generally supported bills covering cancer presumptions, contagious disease presumptions, Parkinson’s disease for firefighters, PTSD-related disability and death, and equity for post-certified police officers under the Heart Law. Several speakers emphasized that these conditions are linked to long-term occupational exposure, that current law leaves out agencies such as UMass police, Environmental Police, DMH police, and other state or campus police, and that the bills would correct gaps in existing benefits and presumptions. Representative Colleen Garry and Senator Joan Lovely spoke in support of expanding the Heart Law and cancer presumption protections, while Representative and Senator sponsors for the firefighter and PTSD bills described the health risks faced by first responders and urged favorable reports. PFFM and MassCOP representatives argued that firefighters and police officers face toxic exposures, infectious disease risks, and chronic stress, and cited studies and other states’ laws in support of the measures. PERAC testified that the PTSD accidental disability bill would clarify confusing case law and update filing requirements so traumatic incidents can be used in applications even when PTSD develops later, while still requiring medical review and retirement board approval. Additional testimony came from correction officers and trial court officers seeking comparable disability and pension protections, including a bill to extend a 100% disability pension to correction officers injured in violent attacks and a bill to treat court officers more like police and firefighters when injured in the line of duty. The committee asked a few clarifying questions, including about whether the PTSD bill would address post-retirement claims and about the impact of excluding “forgotten” police agencies. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee ultimately adjourned after hearing all scheduled testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• limitations on short-term and long-term disability benefits paid out as a result of a behavioral health disorder
• where no similar time limitations exist on benefits paid as a result of a physical disorder.
• So we're looking to add the behavioral health disorder in for short- and long-term disability benefits
• where such limitations or exclusions are not imposed equally upon claimants affected by physical disorders
• The use of limitations for disabilities arising from mental health disorders was developed in response

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• care and education, and maybe health programs and programs that would help people who have drug disorders
• , substance abuse disorders, so that they wouldn't have to, and they won't die from these illicit drugs
• , substance abuse disorders, so that they wouldn't have to, and they won't die from these illicit drugs
• health programs and programs that would help people who have um Um. help people who have um drug disorder
• um you know substance abuse disorders so that they wouldn't have to and they won't get um die from from

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard several bills. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million for Department of Public Safety border support, including equipment, law enforcement positions, and grants to local governments for border-related enforcement and detention costs. Supporters, including the Arizona Sheriffs Association, said the funds are fully used each year and are largely spent on drug interdiction, especially against fentanyl and methamphetamine. Opponents argued the bill’s immigration-enforcement language was too broad and that the money should instead go to health care, education, food assistance, or prevention programs. The committee approved HB 2416 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2806, which would require county recorders, ADOT, and AHCCCS to use the federal SAVE system and report citizenship-verification results to JLBC and the Auditor General. The ACLU of Arizona opposed the bill, saying SAVE is not designed to determine voter eligibility, could wrongly flag eligible citizens, and would likely lead to litigation and confusion. Several members questioned the need for the bill, noting existing citizenship requirements and current use of SAVE in some agencies, while others supported it as a way to ensure only citizens access voting and benefits. HB 2806 passed 4-3. HB 2663, a technical cleanup bill updating military leave language for state and local employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves, drew little opposition and passed unanimously. HB 2759 would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans Services for a grant program with Yavapai County educational institutions to help veterans with emergency housing, equipment, professional development, and other shortfalls tied to delayed GI Bill payments. Testimony supported expanding help for veterans, but some members raised concerns that the bill was limited to Yavapai County and included private institutions; the sponsor and witnesses said it could serve as a pilot and potentially expand statewide. The committee approved HB 2759 on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT COME UP RECENTLY WITH TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS IS NOT THAT COME UP RECENTLY
• WITH TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS IS NOT THAT THERE AREN'T GOOD DRUGS TO TREAT BRAIN DISORDERS, IT'S
• THIS IS A DRAMATIC RESULT AND QUITE A BREAKTHROUGH FOR PEOPLE IN THE TREATMENT OF BRAIN DISORDERS.
• UP WITH A COMPANY THAT DEVELOPED THIS FOCUSED ULTRASOUND AND NOW WE CAN HIT SEVERAL OTHER BRAIN DISORDERS
• SUCH AS COCAINE USE DISORDER, BRAIN CANCERS SUCH AS GIOBLASTOMA AND SO ON.

Transcript Highlights:

• The National Eating Disorder Association, NEDA chatbox, Tessa, was shut down after providing harmful
• And as the parent of a daughter who lived with an eating disorder for 5 years related to high school
• , and for patients at high risk of eating disorders, unlike the chatbot that Brenda was describing.
• , and for patients at high risk of eating disorders, unlike the chatbot that Brenda was describing.
• There's an article specific disorders.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> such as cannabis use disorder, such as cannabis use disorder, psychosis,<00:31:02.640><c> suicidal
• They may have to struggle with things like seizure disorders.
• Uh they may have seizure disorders.
• That would help, for example, with pretty serious seizure disorders. Just one example.
• That would help, for example, with pretty serious seizure disorders. Just one example.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> In 245G programs or substances disorder In 245G programs or substances disorder programs,<00:42:
• </c> requirements on substance disorder requirements on substance disorder programs,<00:42:57.600><c>
• It's a spectrum disorder. It's a neurocognitive disorder. It needs to ...
• It's a spectrum disorder. It's a neurocognitive disorder. It needs to ...
• It's a spectrum disorder. It's a neurocognitive disorder. It needs to ...

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> many outpatient substance use disorder many outpatient substance use disorder service<00:38:45.119
• substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder treatment facility<00:39:40.320><c> is</c><00
• Um, so we are disorder facilities.
• </c><01:05:13.440><c> treatment</c> substance use disorder treatment substance use disorder treatment
• and current disorder treatment and current oversight.

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened with routine announcements, including new and absent members, a tribute to former chair Rep. Jess Edwards, and an explanation that Division 3 is advisory and will make recommendations to full Finance. Chair Mooney also distributed a self-created index to the budget binder and reviewed the committee’s options under House Rule 45. Members discussed scheduling a future visit to the Veterans Home in Tilton, with several October dates unavailable, and the chair said she would circulate possible dates. The committee also reviewed the second-year budget context and sources of funding, including surplus monies, existing and new revenue streams, grants, reappropriations, and the rainy day fund. The committee then took up several retained bills and repeatedly heard that their substance had already been addressed in the budget. House Bill 519, funding the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult Shelter, was moved ITL and passed 10-0. House Bill 547, county reimbursement funds, was also moved ITL and passed 10-0 after members noted the reimbursement had been included in HB 2. House Bill 570, repealing the prescription drug affordability board, was moved ITL and passed 10-0, with minority members saying they still believed the board had value but acknowledging the repeal had already occurred in HB 2. House Bill 704, concerning caregiver respite and senior volunteer programs, received the most discussion. Mr. Ripple explained that most items were already funded or suspended in the budget, leaving only the senior volunteer grant program unfunded. Chair Mooney offered amendment 2963H to fund the RSVP program at $180,000 for one year, contingent on surplus funds, and DHHS witnesses explained that RSVP is a federally funded AmeriCorps program that would be added to existing state licensing structures. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 751, which would require licensure of outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities and create an ombudsman-related complaint process. DHHS witnesses said the bill had been narrowed substantially from an earlier certification model with multiple positions and IT costs to a licensing model using existing department infrastructure, reducing the fiscal note to $211,000 for one position. They also said the ombudsman section was no longer needed because licensed facilities would fall under existing oversight. Members questioned how many facilities exist and whether licensing fees would cover costs; DHHS said it did not know the full provider landscape and that licensing revenue across the board does not cover the department’s costs. Rep. Daniels then proposed amendment 2964H to form a study committee because of the remaining questions and lack of a clear revenue stream, and the committee was still discussing that amendment when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Curry's clinical work is focused on outpatient care, with a special interest in addiction, mood disorders
• understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder
• , and whereas autism spectrum disorder... ...living with autism spectrum disorder, and whereas autism
• spectrum disorder affects one in 36 children in the United States, four times the rate recorded in 2005
• . ...with autism spectrum disorder.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and several proclamations and recognitions, including Arizona’s hosting of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, Autism Awareness Day, Farm Worker Day, and Passover observances. Members also welcomed guests from the Arizona Psychiatric Society, Tucson International Airport, Autism Bringing Change, and others. No substantive debate occurred during these ceremonial items, and the House later noted the Doctor of the Day and approved the prior journal. The chamber then moved through Committee of the Whole consideration of several Senate bills. SB 1024, SB 1078, SB 1123, SB 1164, SB 1232, SB 1293, SB 1493 as amended, SB 1520, SB 1572, and SB 1160 as amended all received do-pass recommendations, while SB 1665 was retained on the calendar. Debate centered most heavily on SB 1142, a federal scholarship tax credit conformity bill, with supporters arguing it would allow Arizona students to benefit from an existing federal tax credit and opponents warning it would divert public resources to private schools and expand voucher-like programs without accountability. SB 1293 drew debate over GPLET property tax abatements and whether the bill would protect school district revenues or hinder housing and economic development. SB 1572 also prompted discussion over civics instruction and whether it imposed an unfunded mandate on schools. On third reading, the House passed SB 1097, SB 1166, SB 1216, and SB 1787. SB 1787 passed on a 31-24 vote after debate over municipal and county development and due process. The House also adopted a floor amendment to SB 1160 before passing it as amended, with supporters framing it as a public safety measure for drone restrictions near venues and opponents raising constitutional and drafting concerns. The House then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, properly engrossed the measures, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Curry's clinical work is focused on outpatient care, with a special interest in addiction, mood disorders
• understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals and families living with autism spectrum disorder
• , and whereas Autism Spectrum Disorder, and whereas Autism... ...living with autism spectrum disorder
• , and whereas autism spectrum disorder affects one in 36 children in the United States, four times the
• . ...with autism spectrum disorder.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no evidence of substance abuse disorder. I had a case myself like that.
• If you look at the mental health disorders, the deaths caused by them, substance use disorder is 63.3%
• Depressive disorders, mental health issues—the rest play a smaller role.
• So 51% substance abuse disorder, depression.
• And then at the bottom, substance use disorder.

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting minutes and then heard a detailed annual report from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and policy issues. He explained the committee’s review process, confidentiality protections, and national and North Dakota data showing that most maternal deaths are preventable and that mental health conditions, substance use, cardiovascular issues, infection, hemorrhage, and embolism are the leading causes. Members asked about suicide, domestic violence, midwife training, home births, and whether pregnancy testing at death scenes should be expanded; Dr. Arnold said better coroner education, more investigation of unexplained deaths, and possible post-mortem pregnancy testing could improve case identification, especially in rural areas. He also noted that deaths often occur well after 42 days postpartum and that mental health-related deaths remain a major concern. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark on cigarette reduced-ignition-propensity standards and related fire prevention issues. He recommended updating the state’s cigarette propensity law to current national standards and also raised a separate recommendation to require fast-breakaway oxygen tubing for home oxygen users, citing fatal fires linked to smoking around oxygen. Members asked about implementation, cost, insurance coverage, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Dr. Clark said he would provide follow-up information and was willing to help with any legislation, but no agency bill had yet been planned. Next, Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services reported on the North Dakota Stroke System of Care. She described the statewide network of stroke-ready hospitals, registry-based quality improvement, and performance data showing continued improvement in stroke recognition, imaging, thrombolytic treatment, transfers, and EMS pre-notification. She highlighted new quality measures for inter-facility transfers and intracerebral hemorrhage care, and said the system remains strong but depends on continued legislative and hospital support. Committee members asked about participation by the VA hospital and were encouraged to consider outreach to include it more fully in the stroke system. Finally, the committee began a presentation on prior authorization and non-opioid pain treatment from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to non-opioid acute pain medications, especially in the 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window when pain is most severe, and said delays can push patients toward opioids. He emphasized that prior authorization has a role in utilization management but should not create barriers in acute pain care, and he noted that current use of the company’s non-opioid product remains very low. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, what this does is it adds post-traumatic stress disorder to a 2018 bill.
• stress disorder to a 2018 bill.<00:03:23.040><c> And</c><00:03:23.360><c> with</c><00:03:23.599><c>
• And as I was saying, this bill is what it does to an existing law is add post-traumatic stress disorder
• Morning. add post-traumatic stress disorder. And add post-traumatic stress disorder.
• . disorder. disorder.

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Patients with seizure disorders, patient was bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive
• disorders, paranoid personalities, postpartum depression and schizophrenia.
• patient safety, this issue is near to my heart because my mother was diagnosed with serious bipolar disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• physically handicapped, it's great, but you know, to get to be disabled, you know, you could have a sleep disorder
• /c><00:17:46.160><c> have</c><00:17:46.320><c> a</c><00:17:46.480><c> sleep</c><00:17:46.720><c> disorder
• </c><00:17:47.200><c> or</c> Could be have a sleep disorder or whatever.
• documentation that's required to establish that is what we accept for our purposes for the license. >> Disorder
• documentation that's required to establish that is what we accept for our purposes for the license. >> Disorder

Bills: HB267 , HB271 , HB267 , HB271

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: HB267, Alabama, minor consent, medical consent, mental health, school counseling, parental rights, parental consent, parental access to records, health information, health records, vaccine consent, school mental health services, student counseling, youth healthcare, adolescent health, emancipated minor, pregnancy care, sexually transmitted infections, STI treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• Our funding for hospital-based substance use disorder care in the emergency department, bridge clinics
• Sarah Wakeman, the medical director for the Substance Use Disorder Initiative at Mass General Brigham
• I serve as a senior medical director for substance use disorder at Mass General Brigham.
• care and primary care, specialty addiction treatment settings, perinatal substance use disorder care
• and really need to be readily available for all people with opioid use disorder.

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We increase program integrity for substance use disorder.
• We rework the substance use disorder treatment alignment with federal guidelines.
• Substance use disorder got substantial recognition for those workers in those treatment centers.
• Disability, folks with mental health, substance use disorder, and more.
• Members, we are fully funding the rate increases for substance use disorder.

Transcript Highlights:

• 23, Madam Chair it adds the words of the decisional capacity as a result, as a result of a mental disorder
• So it adds the words 'as a result of a mental disorder'.
• If you jump back up to 23, it demonstrates that as a result of a mental disorder, the person lacks the
• Disorder presents a likelihood of serious harm to self or others, and it goes all through different values

Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: mental health, commitment, involuntary commitment, civil commitment, assisted outpatient treatment, AOT, court-ordered treatment, behavioral health, psychiatric hold, danger to self, danger to others, suicide prevention, self-harm, homicide risk, capacity, decisional capacity, guardianship, treatment guardian, crisis stabilization, crisis triage center