The Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (MHA), on behalf of our member hospitals, health systems, physician organizations and allied health care providers, appreciates the opportunity to submit comments regarding HB110, “An Act Relative to Ensuring the Safety of Residents of Facilities Under the Authority of the Department of Mental Health & the Department of Developmental Disabilities.” MHA opposes HB110, which seeks to mandate the use of security cameras at all entrances, exits, and common areas of mental health facilities. While the hospital community is strongly committed to efforts to support the security of patients and staff, we are concerned about the potential – and very significant - privacy concerns and stigmatization this bill poses to patients who are seeking care for acute mental illness. MHA instead encourages the committee to consider a study that would look at medical ethics and patient rights related to such video surveillance in facilities that care for patients with acute mental illness. Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments on these important matters. If you have any questions or concerns or require further information, please contact Michael Sroczynski, MHA’s Vice President of Government Advocacy, at (781) 262-6055 or msroczynski@mhalink.org.
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