An Act relative to harm reduction and racial justice

This bill amends Massachusetts law to change how people are handled for possessing small amounts of controlled substances without a prescription. Instead of facing criminal charges or jail time, individuals caught with these substances would be issued a low civil fine and referred to a screening service. The screening, conducted by trained staff, assesses needs for health care, housing, food, and legal aid based on the person's own priorities. If the individual completes this screening within 45 days, the fine is waived and the citation is dismissed, with the process explicitly not counting as an admission of guilt.