An Act relative to the establishment of and payments into an opioid stewardship fund

This bill establishes a new Opioid Stewardship Fund in Massachusetts to help reduce the financial barriers for people needing naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. The fund will cover insurance co-pays for naloxone and other FDA-approved overdose-reversal drugs, making them free or much cheaper for those who need them. Money for the fund will come from annual payments by opioid manufacturers and distributors based on their sales in the state, along with any future state appropriations. The Department of Public Health will manage the fund and report on its usage to state lawmakers, ensuring the money stays separate from other state finances.