H 213
An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to improve access to behavioral health services for children who are already involved with Massachusetts state agencies, such as child protective services or the Department of Children and Families. The legislation seeks to ensure that these children receive the mental health support they need during a challenging time. It intends to streamline the process of connecting children with appropriate services and resources. Ultimately, the goal is to better support the well-being of vulnerable children within the state’s child welfare system.
Key provisions
- Requires state agencies to actively identify children in need of behavioral health services.
- Establishes a process for coordinating behavioral health services with other state agency services.
- Expands the availability of behavioral health providers for children involved with state agencies.
- Promotes collaboration between state agencies and behavioral health providers.
- Supports the development of a statewide system for tracking and monitoring children’s behavioral health needs.
- Addresses gaps in existing services for children experiencing mental health challenges.
- Prioritizes early intervention and preventative care for children at risk.
- Ensures culturally competent behavioral health services are available.
Who is affected
- Children involved with state agencies (e.g., child protective services, Department of Children and Families)
- Families of children involved with state agencies
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Marjorie C. Decker
Cosponsors
Estela A. Reyes
Marjorie C. Decker
Russell E. Holmes
Arguments in favor
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Bill H.213 194th (Current)
An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies
By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 213) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Presenter: Marjorie C. Decker Status: Referred to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
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Bill History Petitioners Committee Summary Hearing Attendance
Bill History
Displaying 10 actions for Bill H.213
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 2/27/2025 | House | Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Senate concurred |
| 8/27/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 09/09/2025 from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM in B-2 |
| 12/4/2025 | House | Reporting date extended to Friday, January 30, 2026 |
| 12/31/2025 | House | Accompanied a study order, see H4883 |
| 12/31/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on House Rules |
| 12/31/2025 | House | Reported on a part of H4883 |
| 12/31/2025 | House | Recommitted to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities |
| 2/2/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026 |
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S.111 194th (Current)
An Act ensuring access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies
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