Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1382: 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 board to regulate mental health counselors, ensuring professional standards and access to mental health services under designated policy area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 2202: An Act creating parity for mental and behavioral health services

By Representative Decker of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2202) of Marjorie C. Decker relative to mental and behavioral health services. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates parity for mental health services requiring equal insurance coverage as physical health, strengthening access and protections per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 274: An Act to provide more focused care to individuals suffering from mental health and substance related disabilities

This bill requires all in-patient and out-patient mental health service providers in Massachusetts to create physically separate accommodations for patients receiving non-substance abuse treatment versus those needing substance abuse treatment. It directly affects mental health providers across the state by mandating distinct facility spaces to enable more focused care for each patient group. The key provision is the physical separation requirement, which providers must implement once the department creates specific regulations. The bill does not change funding or treatment protocols but focuses on facility design to improve care organization.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates physical separation for focused mental health/substance abuse care, enhancing service quality and patient access per bill's core provision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1189: 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 HealthcareRequires providers to discuss opioid risks, addiction, and alternatives with patients, protecting patient safety and informed consent in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1089: An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require health insurers and coverage plans to cover three specific addiction and mental health treatment services without preauthorization: acute treatment (24-hour medically supervised addiction care), clinical stabilization (post-detox recovery support), and co-occurring treatment (inpatient psychiatric care for dual diagnosis). It applies to Commonwealth employees' insurance (Chapter 32A), Medicaid plans (Chapter 118E), and all "creditable coverage" health insurance policies (Chapter 175). Coverage is limited to 14 days for clinical stabilization and co-occurring services, with facilities required to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission and allow utilization review starting on day 7. Medical necessity is determined by the treating clinician, not insurers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover specific mental health/addiction treatments without preauthorization, expanding access and support for dual diagnosis care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3012: 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 the dangers of addictive substances (with emphasis on opioids) and the legal immunities available for reporting overdoses. It mandates that schools develop and implement these educational plans, while also allowing them to assess effectiveness and collaborate with state health departments. The policy changes directly affect public school systems and their students by integrating standardized overdose prevention education into school curricula. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, focusing on concrete policy adjustments rather than broader program funding or outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to implement substance use prevention education in curriculum, enhancing student health education programs per bill's requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school-based substance use prevention education and overdose reporting, directly advancing public health initiatives to reduce overdoses, a core healthcare concern.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 947: An Act relative to dual diagnosis treatment coverage

This bill (SD 947) requires health insurance plans to cover specific addiction and mental health treatments without preauthorization. It defines "acute treatment," "clinical stabilization," and "co-occurring treatment" services as 24-hour inpatient care for substance use and mental health conditions, with a 14-day maximum coverage limit. The law applies to state employee health plans (Section 1), Medicaid programs (Section 2), and private insurance policies meeting "creditable coverage" standards (Section 3), mandating coverage for these services while requiring facilities to notify insurers within 48 hours of admission. Utilization reviews can begin after day 7 of treatment. The policy change directly affects individuals seeking these treatments through these specific insurance programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for mental health/addiction treatments without preauthorization, expanding access to critical services per bill's coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 1635: 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 use disorder treatment, expanding access to public health services for substance use disorders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 1711: An Act regarding consistent care for addiction rooted in evidence

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1711) of John F. Keenan for legislation to require all state and county correctional facilities to provide medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder. Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates MAT in correctional facilities, promoting evidence-based rehabilitation to reduce recidivism - directly supports criminal justice reform in corrections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires MAT in correctional facilities, expanding access to addiction treatment as part of healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2229: An Act to expand equity and access to patient centered care for substance abuse disorder

By Representatives Rogers of Cambridge and Schwartz of Newton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2229) of David M. Rogers and Greg Schwartz for legislation to expand equity and access to patient centered care for substance abuse disorders. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands equity and access to substance abuse treatment under mental health services, directly improving patient access and supporting healthcare delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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