H 1508 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act known as "Drug Test Consent Bill" aka "Christina's Law"

This bill, known as "Christina's Law," amends Massachusetts laws regarding driving under the influence to clarify that any substance impairing a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely constitutes a violation, rather than listing specific drug types. It establishes that chemical test results are admissible in court only if the driver consented to the test, received the results immediately, and was given the opportunity to have an independent test conducted at their own expense. Additionally, the legislation restricts blood draws to licensed medical professionals and prohibits the use of a driver's refusal to consent as evidence against them in criminal or civil cases, though such refusal remains admissible in administrative license suspension proceedings.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Feb 2023
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Jun 5, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Colleen Garry
Colleen Garry
DDemocratic
MA
36th Middlesex