click on this link 

https://namimass.quorum.us/campaign/143666/

Dear Mental Health Advocates,

We would like to provide an update on one of NAMI Mass’s priority bills, S.1386/H.3291/H.3313 An Act to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health, filed by Senator Creem, Representative Barber, and Representative Decker.  

There are two identical versions of the House bill (H.3291 and H.3313), and we are urging support for all three versions of the legislation. 

The Senate bill (S.1386) is currently before the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, while the House bills are before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. Both committees will be holding hearings on Tuesday, October 14.  

This legislation would transfer oversight of Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH), which serves individuals with serious mental health conditions, from the Department of Correction (DOC) to the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Under the control of DOC, practices at BSH have led to numerous concerns, including the overuse of restraints, forced medication, and prison-like conditions—in a facility that is not even an accredited hospital. 

Most Bridgewater State Hospital patients have not been convicted of a crime but instead are committed after being found incompetent to stand trial or not responsible for their actions. In many cases, they are charged with minor infractions.  

People with mental health conditions deserve trauma-informed, person-centered care, which the DOC is not equipped to provide. Placing BSH under DMH would ensure better oversight, stronger clinical standards, and a greater focus on treatment rather than punishment. 

S.1386/H.3291/H.3313 would: 

Move BSH under the jurisdiction of DMH as a state mental health facility
Require DMH to maintain a minimum level of forensic mental health services and establish a forensic division   Expand services such as evaluations of competence, court clinic consultations, and reentry support, with a focus on community-based care Require the DMH Commissioner to review and sign all patient restraint forms 

We are asking the NAMI Mass community to send a form email to their state legislators asking them to voice their support about this legislation to the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. 

Email Your State Legislators

If you have experience as a patient at Bridgewater, or if you have a family member or loved one who is a current or former patient, we encourage you to share your experience after the bulleted list section in the form email to your legislators. 

Your advocacy will be a transformative step in aligning Massachusetts with evidence-based mental health practices, prioritizing compassion over punishment, and ensuring that individuals with mental health conditions receive the care they need and deserve.   

Thank you for standing with us. Your voice makes a real difference.  

Sincerely,  

The Policy, Advocacy, and Communications (PAC) Team at NAMI Massachusetts  

If you wish to write a letter to your legislator please do so by clicking here to find his or her address 

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator