H1697 • 2025

An Act relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others

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Sponsor: Frost, Paul K.
Last action: 2026-03-26
Official status: Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others

An Act relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others By Representatives Frost of Auburn and Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

An Act relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others By Representatives Frost of Auburn and Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
1697) of Paul K.
Frost and Joseph D.
McKenna relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-03-26 House
Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
2025-11-18 Joint
Hearing rescheduled to 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
2025-11-07 Joint
Hearing scheduled for 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
2025-02-27 House
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
2025-02-27 Senate
Senate concurred
House
Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others
By Representatives Frost of Auburn and Sweezey of Duxbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1697) of Paul K. Frost and Joseph D. McKenna relative to psychological evaluations for persons considered a danger to themselves or others. The Judiciary.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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Bill H.1697

SECTION 1. Section 131S of chapter 140 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following:-

(l) Upon issuance of an extreme risk protection order, the court shall order the respondent to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The psychiatric evaluation must be conducted by a licensed mental health professional, approved by the department of public health, and must occur within ten days of the issuance of the extreme risk protection order.

The psychiatric evaluation shall assess the following:

(1) The mental health status of the respondent, including any diagnosed mental illness or conditions that may pose a risk to the respondent or others.

(2) The respondent's history of violence, threats, or self-harm, if any.

(3) The respondent’s ability to safely handle firearms or other weapons in light of the psychiatric evaluation.

Upon completion of the psychiatric evaluation, the results shall be submitted to the court. The court shall review the evaluation findings in conjunction with any other evidence before making a decision regarding the continuation, modification, or dissolution of the extreme risk protection order.

SECTION 2. The department of public health, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Trial Court, shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

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