Section 121 COVID-19 Impacts on Children's Behavioral Health Study

(a) The children's behavioral health advisory council, established in section 16Q of chapter 6A of the General Laws, shall conduct an analysis of the existing and anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's behavioral health and the associated provision of services and supports. In conducting the analysis, the council shall consult with and seek input from children who are consumers of behavioral health services and their family members; provided, however, that for the purposes of this section, "children" shall include any person under the age of 22.

(b) The analysis shall include: (i) an evaluation of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across the current continuum of behavioral health care and services provided to children and families including, but not limited to, in the following settings: (A) home; (B) healthcare facilities; (C) school; and (D) within the community; (ii) identification of and recommended solutions for addressing barriers to care within the current continuum of behavioral health care and barriers to services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, barriers to care for underserved or underrepresented populations based on culture, race, ethnicity, language, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, geographic location or age during the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) suggested remedies to increase geographic equity and improve accessibility to an equitable, culturally-competent, affordable and clinically-appropriate continuum of behavioral health care; (iv) identification of, and recommended solutions for addressing, current behavioral health workforce challenges including, but not limited to: (A) existing workforce pipeline issues; (B) emerging workforce needs; and (C) the availability of trauma-informed supports and services for children's behavioral health practitioners, teachers and staff; (v) an evaluation of the impact of remote learning and service provision on children who are consumers of behavioral health services; (vi) a comparison of services provided to children who were consumers of behavioral health services during the 2020 to 2021 school year as compared to analogous services delivered during the 2018 to 2019 school year; (vii) an evaluation of disciplinary actions and emerging disciplinary trends as a result of COVID-19 pandemic-related trauma including, but not limited to, any disproportionate impacts on children who are consumers of behavioral health services; (viii) an evaluation of, and recommended solutions for addressing, the social and emotional needs of children including, but not limited to, an evaluation of social and emotional learning in schools; (ix) the impacts of closures of units and elimination of children's behavioral health services including, but not limited to, access to clinically appropriate services, geographic disparities, economic disparities and strategies to prevent future unit and service closures that affect children in need of these services; and (x) any other factors the council deems relevant for addressing the barriers to the delivery of an equitable, culturally-competent, affordable and clinically-appropriate continuum of behavioral health care and services to children who are consumers of behavioral health services and their families.

(c) The council shall file an interim report describing any initial recommendations and issues requiring further study with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than November 15, 2021; provided, however, that the council may file such additional interim recommendations as it deems necessary.

(d) The council shall hold not less than 2 regional listening sessions and accept public comment from impacted children and their families including, but not limited to, underserved or underrepresented children and their families, prior to filing the interim report under subsection (c) and shall hold not less than 3 additional regional listening session and accept public comment, including from underserved or underrepresented children and their families, prior to filing its final report under subsection (e); provided, however, that the council may hold virtual public hearings if it is deemed to be in the interest of public health.

(e) The council shall file its final report and its recommendations with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives and the senate and house committees on ways and means not later than March 15, 2022.