Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jun 29, 2026

S 1402: An Act ensuring access to addiction services

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1402) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation to ensure access to addiction services. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly ensures access to addiction services under mental health/substance use, directly advancing patient access to healthcare services in this topic area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 1387: An Act enabling physician assistants to authorize psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use

By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1387) of John J. Cronin, Steven George Xiarhos, Bruce E. Tarr and John F. Keenan relative to authorizing physician assistants to issue psychiatric holds and ensure adequate training on their use. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables physician assistants to issue psychiatric holds, expanding mental health access and requiring training to ensure proper use under mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 2199: An Act ending unnecessary hospitalizations

HD 2149 requires mental health professionals and police to first explore community-based crisis alternatives - like Mobile Crisis Intervention, Behavioral Health Urgent Care, or peer-run programs - before seeking involuntary hospitalization for individuals experiencing mental health crises. The bill mandates that if a community alternative exists and the person consents, professionals must arrange transport to that option instead of hospitalization. It also requires the state department to collect and annually report demographic data (including age, race, and diagnosis) on all involuntary hospitalization applications to legislative committees. This policy directly affects people in mental health crises and the clinicians/police officers who determine their care pathways.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnds unnecessary involuntary hospitalizations in mental health care, protecting patient rights and supporting appropriate treatment access per bill's focus on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Oct 8, 2025

H 4123: An Act relative to the distribution of opioid antagonists at correctional facilities

By Representatives Donaghue of Westborough and Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4123) of Kate Donaghue and Andres X. Vargas relative to the distribution of opioid antagonists at correctional facilities. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates opioid antagonist distribution in correctional facilities, addressing inmate health and overdose prevention - a direct correctional reform measure to reduce recidivism and improve rehabilitation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDistributing opioid antagonists (naloxone) in correctional facilities prevents overdose deaths, a public health measure directly protecting patient safety in healthcare settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1386: An Act to transfer Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health

This bill transfers operation of Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health. It directly affects patients at the hospital, who will now receive care under the Mental Health Department's oversight instead of Corrections. Key provisions include removing all references to the hospital's "medical director" from existing laws, creating a new forensic mental health division within Mental Health, and updating procedures for patient commitments and transfers. The transfer must be completed by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital from Corrections to Mental Health prioritizes treatment over incarceration for mental health cases, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTransferring Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health directly strengthens mental health service coordination and oversight, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1406: An Act relative to the prescription monitoring program

This bill (SD 962) requires opioid treatment facilities to provide patients with a consent form explaining that sharing their opioid maintenance treatment information through the state's prescription monitoring program is optional but encouraged. It mandates that facilities document patient consent or refusal and maintain these records. The bill also directs the state department to create a process for including opioid maintenance treatment data in the prescription monitoring system, ensuring doctors can see this information before prescribing other opioids (except the maintenance medication), as long as privacy laws are respected. This directly affects opioid treatment facilities, their patients, and healthcare providers who prescribe opioids.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes prescription monitoring to prevent misuse, supporting mental health/substance use recovery programs as explicitly stated in summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 29, 2026

H 2193: An Act to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform

This bill requires Massachusetts' Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate the state's implementation of the "Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform." It directly affects behavioral health providers (like community centers and crisis teams), state agencies, and historically marginalized communities by mandating biennial strategic planning to address staffing, funding, cultural competency, and service coordination. Key mechanisms include setting goals for crisis services (mobile teams, stabilization centers), ensuring reimbursement for critical capacity, and creating a public data dashboard to track service usage, equity gaps, and outcomes. The bill also directs coordination with public safety agencies to streamline crisis response protocols and prioritize feedback from people with lived experience and marginalized groups.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates implementation of behavioral health reform roadmap, directly supporting mental health services expansion under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2212: An Act relative to patient opioid notification

This bill requires healthcare providers to discuss specific risks with patients before prescribing strong opioids for pain treatment. Before the first prescription and again before the third prescription in a course of treatment, providers must cover risks of addiction, overdose (especially with alcohol or other sedatives), the necessity of the prescription, alternative treatments, and dangers of misuse. It applies to most opioid prescriptions but excludes patients receiving cancer treatment, hospice care, long-term facility care, or substance abuse treatment. The law mandates providers to document these discussions in the patient's medical record.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates patient notification for initial opioid prescriptions, aiming to prevent misuse and support substance use recovery programs under public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 4686: An Act relative to Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome

H 4686 proposes establishing a commission to research topical steroid addiction and Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS), a condition that can occur after discontinuing long-term use of topical steroid creams or ointments. The commission would examine the health impacts, causes, and challenges associated with these conditions, particularly for individuals who have used topical steroids for skin conditions. This research aims to inform future public health policies and support for affected individuals. The bill is sponsored by Representative Frank A. Moran and falls under the Public Health category.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to research TSWS health impacts, aiming to inform future public health policies and support for affected individuals, advancing healthcare understanding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 863: An Act relative to non-opioid options for chronic pain

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 863) of Dylan A. Fernandes for legislation relative to coverage for non-opioid pain medications for chronic pain. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for non-opioid chronic pain medications, expanding patient access to alternatives and reducing opioid reliance under health financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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