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MAPA Action Alert: Section 12 Bill [CM1]

Please Submit Testimony TODAY Urging Passage of H.2007

This legislative session, MAPA has refiled H.2007, An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use, and the bill is scheduled for a public hearing on

Monday, October 30^th at noon.

Bill Summary:

H. 2007 updates Section 12 of Chapter 123 of the Mass. General Laws regarding the civil commitment of persons posing a risk of serious harm by reason of mental illness or chemical dependency to include Physician Assistants. Under current law, if a PA determines that a patient necessitates hospitalization due to acute mental illness or chemical dependence, they are obligated to seek out a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed psychologist, licensed independent clinical social worker - or even a law enforcement officer - to sign the requisite documentation for initiating an emergency hold. This requirement persists even in situations where the PA possesses the most comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and has been overseeing their care.

Our bill, H.2007, would update the law to grant PAs the authority to authorize Section 12 holds. It would also require any healthcare provider with the authority to authorize Section 12 holds to complete three hours of specialized training in direct mental health evaluation.

We Need Your Help!

In order to encourage the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to issue a favorable report on our bill as soon as possible, we’re gathering  testimony from PAs in the field and PA students as to why this legislation is critical to your work.

Please sign-up to provide oral testimony virtually or in-person HERE by Friday, October 27 at 12noon, or draft written testimony to be submitted to the committee.

Written testimony can be completed using the template below. Please send your testimony to Calli Masters at Charles Group Consulting (cmasters@charlesgroupconsulting.com) by November 1 so we can compile the testimony into a package to submit to the legislative committee. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Calli with any questions regarding your testimony.

THANK YOU for your support of MAPA and your profession!

October xx, 2023

Senator John Velis
Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
State House, Room 513
Boston, MA 02133

Representative Adrian Madaro
Chair, Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
State House, Room 33
Boston, MA 02133

Re: Testimony in SUPPORT of H.2007, An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use

Dear Chair Velis, Chair Madaro, and Members of the Committee:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of H.2007, An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use, filed by Representative Ted Philips. My name is XXX, and I am a [practicing PA/PA student at XX school/etc]. I am writing on behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants (MAPA) to request that you support this vital piece of legislation and report it favorably out of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery as soon as possible.

As we face an ongoing healthcare workforce shortage and co-occurring behavioral health crisis, this legislation would utilize PAs to the fullest extent of their training and licensure to better serve patients and the healthcare system overall.

H.2007 deals with civil commitments classified under MGL Chapter 123, Section 12 - often referred to as “Section 12 holds” - which permits the emergency restraint and hospitalization of individuals with mental health and/or substance use concerns in order to protect themselves and others. Under current law, if a PA determines that a patient necessitates hospitalization due to acute mental illness or chemical dependence, they are obligated to seek out a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed psychologist, licensed independent clinical social worker - or even a law enforcement officer - to sign the requisite documentation for initiating an emergency hold. This requirement persists even in situations where the PA possesses the most comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and has been overseeing their care. The delay caused when a PA must seek authorization from a physician, nurse practitioner, or law enforcement officer to issue a Section 12 hold can threaten the safety of the patient, the healthcare worker, and other individuals across a variety of medical and behavioral healthcare settings. H.2007 would update the MGL to grant PAs the same authority under Section 12 held by other qualified healthcare providers.

[Please use this space to share with legislators why you are personally motivated to submit testimony, and any personal/professional stories that emphasize the need for this legislation.]

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Mental Health issued Bulletin #22-02, which temporarily granted qualified PAs the same authority as physicians and nurse practictioners to restrain or commit someone if they were deemed to be a risk to themselves or others. These changes were made to reduce regulatory red tape that was slowing down the provision of essential behavioral health care. The expiration of this Executive Order with the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency has removed this authority for PAs; H.2007 would permanently amend the law to include PAs among the list of providers with this authority. H.2007 would ensure that PAs are able to practice at the top of their license and that there are no outdated and artificial barriers to their role as providers of essential behavioral healthcare in the Commonwealth.We respectfully urge the Committee to issue a favorable report for H.2007.

Thank you very much for your consideration of my testimony. If you have any questions, please reach out to me via email at [EMAIL] or at [Phone Number].

Sincerely,

[Your name ]

[Title and affiliation of signing individual]

update: Bill sponsors, bill numbers, dates, [CM1]