Healthcare (Substance Abuse) in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 1411: An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund

SD 992 creates a Perinatal Behavioral Health Care Workforce Trust Fund to address shortages in mental and behavioral health providers specializing in perinatal care (during pregnancy and up to one year after birth). The fund provides grants to organizations for training programs aimed at growing and diversifying this workforce, with priority given to programs serving medically underserved populations or areas with racial, geographic, or health outcome disparities. Grantees must report annually on grant recipients, participant demographics (including race, gender, and zip code), and how programs impact workforce sustainability and healthcare shortages. This bill directly affects perinatal health providers and the communities they serve, particularly those facing systemic healthcare gaps.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 2, 2025

H 181: An Act relative to a medical marijuana pilot program

By Representative Sullivan-Almeida of Abington, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 181) of Alyson M. Sullivan-Almeida for legislation to establish a pilot program for veterans to use medical marijuana to treat medical conditions that are currently being treated with opioid-based medicine and combat opioid use disorder. Cannabis Policy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 2221: An Act relative to student mental health

This bill requires public schools (grades 6-12) and colleges/universities to include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone and text number on all new or replacement student ID cards. It directly affects schools and higher education institutions that issue student IDs, mandating the inclusion of this lifeline contact information. The requirement applies to IDs issued on or after July 1, 2025, with existing non-compliant cards allowed to be used until depleted. The law aims to make crisis support more accessible to students by integrating it into routine student identification.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2236: Resolve relative to children’s mental health in social media

HD 2051 creates a special commission to investigate how social media affects children's mental health and safety in Massachusetts. The commission, including health officials, educators, advocates, and youth representatives, will study risks like cyberbullying, addictive features, and harmful content, and examine how social media algorithms work. It will also identify best practices for social media companies to protect children and develop recommendations for parents, schools, and public awareness. The commission must submit its final report and draft legislation by December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2218: An Act to further enhance behavioral health workforce development

This bill requires Massachusetts' Department of Mental Health, Youth Services, Children and Families, Public Health, and Personnel Administration to update their official job descriptions to include Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) and Licensed Supervised Mental Health Counselors (LSMHCs) by September 1, 2023. It mandates that all behavioral health job postings within these departments reflect the full scope of practice for these licensed professionals. The bill directly affects state agencies hiring mental health staff and the LMHC/LSMHC professionals seeking these positions. The key mechanism is a deadline-driven update to job classification specifications, ensuring state hiring aligns with these counselors' authorized roles.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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 ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 26, 2026

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

This bill mandates the creation of two specialized mental health units within the Department of Mental Health: one for men and one for women. These units will serve patients exhibiting persistently aggressive, self-destructive, or unusually violent behavior requiring intensive care. The units must be centrally located, physically separate from other areas, and staffed by trained specialists (including nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists) who provide evaluations, behavioral management, violence assessments, and stabilization services. Upon stabilization, staff must develop a plan for the patient's safe transfer out of the unit.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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 ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare

introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 13, 2025

HD 4476: A communication from the Department of Public Health (see Section 2RRRR of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting the Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund Annual Report for fiscal year 2024.

This bill (HD 4476) is a procedural measure requiring the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to submit its annual report for the Municipal Naloxone Bulk Purchase Trust Fund covering fiscal year 2024. It does not create new policy but mandates the routine reporting of how the fund - used to purchase naloxone (an overdose reversal medication) for local communities - was administered. The bill directly affects the Department of Public Health, which must provide this report as required by law. The bill was placed on file on March 13, 2025, with no substantive changes to laws or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Public Health Substance Abuse

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 19, 2026

H 2707: An Act relative to furthering the success of opiate intervention programs

HD 2284 amends Massachusetts law to allow state and municipal law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics, and fire personnel to provide opioid antagonists (like naloxone) and administration instructions to individuals at substantial risk of opioid overdose, or to their family/friends who know about the person's opioid use. It directly affects first responders and people at risk of opioid overdose by expanding access to life-saving medication. Key provisions permit these personnel to act in "good faith" based on their training, observations, and the individual's own information. The bill does not require prior consent or medical oversight for this intervention. This policy change aims to increase immediate access to overdose reversal tools during emergencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

All healthcare bills