Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 730: An Act relative to preventing death by drug overdose

HD 730 requires emergency medical personnel to transport individuals experiencing apparent drug overdoses to hospitals after administering an opioid antagonist (like naloxone), even without the person's consent. It allows limited searches for weapons during transport if safety is at risk and permits emergency restraints under specific conditions. The law provides legal immunity to EMTs, firefighters, and volunteers who administer antidotes or provide emergency care in good faith, protecting them from liability for non-gross-negligence acts. This directly affects overdose victims (requiring hospital transport) and emergency responders (shielding them from lawsuits). The bill amends Massachusetts General Laws to prioritize medical care over immediate legal action for overdose cases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospital transport for overdose victims (improving access), protects EMTs providing care (encouraging treatment), and aligns with public health initiatives to prevent overdose deaths.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2523: An Act relative to benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

HD 2523 defines benzodiazepines (like alprazolam) and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics (like zolpidem) for regulatory purposes. It requires pharmacists to include bolded cautionary statements about long-term use risks on medication labels and to distribute educational pamphlets covering misuse, addiction risks, storage, and treatment resources. The bill also mandates written patient consent before prescribing these drugs, limits refills to less than 10 days without a new prescription, and creates a commission to study safe discontinuation protocols. These changes directly affect patients prescribed these medications, pharmacists, and healthcare providers in Massachusetts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires patient consent, refill limits, and educational materials to prevent benzodiazepine misuse/addiction, enhancing patient safety and mental health protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 2, 2025

S 1400: An Act authorizing a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1400) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation to authorize a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes psychedelic pilot in mental health treatment, expanding therapeutic options under Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1398: An Act to create intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1398) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation to create intensive stabilization and treatment units within the Department of Mental Health. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates mental health treatment units within Department of Mental Health, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1335: An Act relative to a medical marijuana pilot program

HD 1335 establishes the "Crosby Project," a three-phase pilot program allowing Massachusetts veterans to use medical marijuana to treat conditions currently managed with opioids and combat opioid use disorder. The program directly affects veterans with qualifying medical conditions who are seeking alternatives to opioid-based medicine. Key mechanisms include Phase 1 research (reviewing medical studies, consulting veterans' groups, and evaluating other states' programs), Phase 2 launching a Boston-based veterans health center with staff and complementary services like acupuncture, and Phase 3 evaluating results to develop a statewide program. The Department of Public Health must submit a report detailing the program structure and findings by December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical marijuana pilot for veterans to treat opioid use disorder, expanding treatment access and alternatives to opioids, directly advancing healthcare options for a specific condition.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly provides veterans with medical marijuana as opioid alternative for healthcare, improving access to treatment for qualifying conditions through dedicated pilot program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3401: An Act to save lives by distributing Narcan to individuals at risk for an opioid overdose

HD 3401 requires state and county correctional facilities to provide Narcan (an opioid antagonist) and education about its use to individuals upon release who have a history of opioid use, an opioid use disorder diagnosis, or a prior opioid overdose. The bill mandates that facilities dispense at least two doses of Narcan to these individuals or their legal guardian, along with instructions on proper use and community access points. This policy directly affects people transitioning from incarceration who are at high risk for opioid overdose. The law aims to reduce overdose deaths by ensuring immediate access to life-saving medication during a critical post-release period.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates Narcan distribution in correctional facilities to prevent overdose deaths among released individuals, reducing recidivism through harm reduction - a key criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Narcan distribution and education in correctional facilities for opioid overdose prevention, directly enhancing public health access and saving lives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 762: An Act require a suitable ride home from the hospital for all cognitively impaired discharges

This bill requires Massachusetts hospitals to verify that certain patients have arranged suitable transportation before discharge. It applies to patients who had anesthesia-related surgery, have developmental disabilities, are receiving substance abuse treatment, or suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia. Hospitals must confirm transport arrangements but are not required to provide or arrange the transportation themselves. The law aims to prevent unsafe discharges for vulnerable patients by adding this verification step to hospital protocols. It directly affects hospitals in Massachusetts and the specific patient groups listed in the bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals verify safe transport for vulnerable patients (e.g., dementia, developmental disabilities) to prevent unsafe discharges, directly protecting patient safety and access during healthcare transitions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1624: An Act authorizing a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1400) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation to authorize a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes psychedelic therapy pilots in licensed facilities for mental health/substance use treatment, directly expanding mental health service options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2528: An Act relative to life saving treatment

By Mr. Collins, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1042) of Nick Collins for legislation to require that patients committed to a medical facility for suffering an overdose receive an evaluation by a licensed social worker before discharge. The Judiciary.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates social worker evaluation for overdose patients before discharge, improving post-treatment care access and safety within healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 914: An Act to save lives by distributing narcan to individuals at risk for an overdose

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1709) of John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge and Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to distribute Narcan to a detainee or prisoner at risk for an overdose upon discharge from a correctional facility. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDistributes Narcan to at-risk detainees upon correctional facility discharge, reducing overdose deaths and aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDistributes Narcan to prevent overdose deaths, advancing public health access and saving lives in correctional settings, directly aligning with healthcare protection and public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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