MA H1697

Courts must order a mandatory psychiatric evaluation for any person issued an extreme risk protection order, to be completed within 10 days of the order's issuance

Evaluations must be conducted by a licensed mental health professional approved by the Department of Public Health

Psychiatric assessments must examine the respondent's mental health status, history of violence/threats/self-harm, and ability to safely handle firearms or weapons

Evaluation results must be submitted to the court, which will use the findings along with other evidence to decide whether to continue, modify, or dissolve the extreme risk protection order

Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Trial Court are directed to promulgate regulations to implement these requirements