8910-1101 Middlesex Sheriff's Mental Health Stabilization Unit

For the operation of a regional behavioral evaluation and stabilization unit to provide forensic mental health services within existing physical facilities for incarcerated persons in the care of correctional facilities; provided, that the unit shall be located in Middlesex county to serve the needs of incarcerated persons in the care of the counties of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes County, Essex, Nantucket, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk; provided further, that the services of the unit shall be made available to incarcerated persons in the care of the department of correction; provided further, that the Middlesex sheriff's office shall work in cooperation with the Hampden sheriff's office to determine a standardized set of definitions and measurements for patients at both regional behavioral evaluation and stabilization units; provided further, that the Middlesex sheriff's office, in cooperation with the department of correction and the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, shall prepare a report that shall include, but not be limited to, the: (i) number of incarcerated persons in facilities located in counties that were provided services in each unit; (ii) number of incarcerated persons in department of correction facilities that were provided services in each unit; (iii) alleviation of caseload at Bridgewater state hospital associated with fewer incarcerated persons in the care of counties being attended to at the hospital; and (iv) estimated and projected cost savings in fiscal year 2022 to the sheriffs' offices and the department of correction associated with the regional units; provided further, that not later than February 15, 2022, said report shall be submitted to the house and senate committees on ways and means; and provided further, that the department of mental health shall maintain the monitoring and quality review functions of the unit