MA H5229

Expands communication rights for Department of Mental Health patients to include video phones with transcription, personal electronic devices, and email access, while maintaining confidentiality protections

Requires facilities to accommodate visitors daily at reasonable times, including outside normal visiting hours, and expands the list of professionals who must be granted access to include peer supporters, holistic providers, and other advocates

Mandates living accommodations appropriate to patients' stated gender identity with access to culturally relevant personal care items, including gender-affirming products and items for specific skin/hair types

Establishes enforcement mechanism with minimum $500 fines per incident for facilities that violate patient rights after warning, with collected fines distributed to benefit patients at the penalized facility

Requires the Department of Mental Health to contract with at least one legal or advocacy organization for a minimum of 3 new full-time positions to investigate complaints and manage the fine distribution fund, with regulations updated within 6 months