Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1405: An Act repealing the sunset date for drug stewardship

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1405) of John F. Keenan for legislation to repeal the sunset date for drug stewardship. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepealing sunset date ensures ongoing drug stewardship programs in mental health/substance use, maintaining current services without cuts or restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 412: An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment

This bill requires public schools to update their substance use prevention policies to include specific education about opioid dangers and legal protections for reporting overdoses. Schools must teach students about addictive substances' risks, particularly opioids, and explain immunities under state law that encourage overdose reporting. It also mandates schools to assess their programs, share effective strategies with other districts, and collaborate with health departments to improve prevention efforts. The policy directly affects all public schools and their students in Massachusetts, aiming to strengthen education and reporting around substance use.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to teach opioid risks and overdose reporting in curriculum, enhancing health education content per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school-based opioid education and health department collaboration to enhance public health prevention programs, directly advancing substance use prevention within healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1365: An Act relative to opioid reversal drugs

This bill (HD 1365) allows pharmacists in Massachusetts to dispense opioid reversal drugs (like naloxone) without a specific prescription, using a statewide standing order. It directly affects pharmacists, healthcare providers, and individuals at risk of opioid overdose by removing prescription barriers. Key provisions include granting legal immunity to pharmacists and others acting in good faith when dispensing or administering these drugs, requiring annual anonymous reporting of dispensing data, and clarifying insurance billing procedures. The law aims to increase access to life-saving reversal medications during overdose emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prescription barriers for naloxone access, expands provider authority, and protects public health - directly improving emergency opioid overdose response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2114: An Act relative to increased availability of opioid antagonist medication

This bill (HD 2114) requires all state government agencies and boards to stock naloxone (opioid antagonist medication) and train employees annually on its use. It also directs the state department to issue nonbinding guidance encouraging private employers to do the same. The law directly affects state agencies by mandating naloxone availability and training, while private businesses receive voluntary recommendations. Key provisions focus on expanding access to life-saving medication through mandatory state action and advisory steps for private sector adoption. The bill aims to increase naloxone readiness across public and private settings without imposing new costs on businesses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state agencies to stock naloxone and train staff, directly expanding access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication per public health needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 962: 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 HealthcareRequires patient consent for opioid treatment data sharing in prescription monitoring, protecting privacy rights. Enables inclusion of treatment data to support public health efforts against opioid abuse.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires patient consent for sharing opioid treatment data, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2089: An Act establishing a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors

By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1382) of Michael D. Brady and Kenneth P. Sweezey for legislation to establish a board of registration of licensed mental health counselors. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes regulatory board for mental health counselors, strengthening professional standards and oversight in mental health services under the Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1467: An Act relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1390) of Julian Cyr for legislation relative to access to psychiatric collaborative care. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to improve access to psychiatric collaborative care under mental health services, directly advancing patient access to mental health treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2239: An Act relative to treatment for substance use disorder

This bill modifies state law to allow hospital physicians to temporarily restrain and initiate a 3-day treatment period for patients who have recently had a substance use evaluation (within seven days) and then return with an opiate overdose or after receiving naloxone. The treatment must occur at a facility authorized by the Department of Public Health or Department of Mental Health. It specifically applies to individuals with opiate-related incidents meeting these criteria, requiring the evaluation to have occurred within the prior week. The provision aims to streamline immediate access to care for those experiencing acute opiate-related emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables immediate treatment access for opiate overdose patients via authorized facilities, expanding public health response to substance use disorder.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2137: An Act authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1635) of John C. Velis for legislation to authorize pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment. Public Health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to provide opioid treatment, expanding access to healthcare services for substance use disorder under Public Health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 9, 2026

H 1193: An Act relative to requiring insurance providers cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment

By Representatives Howard of Lowell and Rogers of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1193) of Vanna Howard, David M. Rogers and David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf that insurance providers cover a minimum of 30 days for in-patient substance abuse treatment. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 30-day minimum coverage for in-patient substance abuse treatment, expanding insurance coverage for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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