The bill outlines the requirements for the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to report on the Program for Assertive Community Treatment for Youth (PACT-Y) as mandated by Line Item 5042-5000 of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. The report, due by April 1, 2026, must detail the funds distributed through the program, the number of new programs created, the demographics of individuals served, and the projected need for new programs in the upcoming fiscal year. The PACT-Y program is designed to provide intensive, coordinated services to individuals under 22 years old with serious emotional disturbances, utilizing a multi-disciplinary community-based team approach.

Since its inception on December 1, 2022, the program has faced challenges, including staffing issues that led to a reduction in operational teams from seven to four. Despite these challenges, the remaining teams have achieved a positive discharge disposition rate of 88%. The funding for FY26 totals $5.7 million, with detailed allocations provided for each PACT-Y provider. The report also includes data on the number of individuals served, their ages, and program utilization trends, highlighting the ongoing need for effective mental health services for youth in Massachusetts.