Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee

The Massachusetts Legislature created the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee in 1973 to protect and secure the rights of individuals participating in programs for mental and intellectual disabilities in the Commonwealth. The Supreme Judicial Court appointed the MHLAC Board. It consists of 14 attorneys who are experts in the field of the mental health law. By legislative mandate, the committee also has a volunteer board of directors. MHLAC staff works to use the law in order to protect the rights and dignity of people who may be considered mentally handicapped. This means they are more likely to be poor, frail, and/or unlikely to work. Such people are sometimes sick or frail, in pain, isolated, and/or unlikely to work. Mental health care is complex, and many individuals require help to access it. This is when an advocate can assist. MHLAC advocates for individuals and families who are denied care in their community or are in the mental health system. All programs and institutions doing business with the Department of Mental Health are required to pay the Act to Protect the Six Fundamental Rights to have access to the advocates and attorneys of MHLAC as well as other legal services organizations.