Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2209: An Act establishing a special commission on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, including but not limited to investigation of PTSD caused by the COVID 19 Pandemic

By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2209) of Colleen M. Garry relative to establishing a commission on post traumatic stress disorder. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to investigate PTSD (mental health), directly addressing mental health services under healthcare topic, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4212: An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment

This bill (HD 4212) creates legal protections for harm reduction programs aimed at reducing overdose deaths and improving access to treatment. It defines "harm reduction programs" to include services like needle exchanges, overdose reversal, and referrals to treatment, and grants immunity from arrest, lawsuits, and property seizures for program operators, participants, and property owners when operating under department approval. The law also prohibits searches based on program use, requires annual department reports on program effectiveness, and exempts approved programs from certain registration requirements under Chapter 94C. It directly affects program operators, people accessing services, property owners, and government employees involved in approvals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects harm reduction programs from legal penalties, reducing criminalization of drug use and advancing criminal justice reform through treatment access and immunity protections.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill legalizes harm reduction services (needle exchanges, overdose reversal) to improve treatment access, directly expanding healthcare access and protecting patient services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 718: An Act eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 718) of Julian Cyr for legislation to eliminate cost sharing for substance use disorder treatment services. Financial Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates cost sharing for substance use disorder treatment, improving access to behavioral health services and reducing patient financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2225: An Act relative to harm reduction and racial justice

By Representatives Montaño of Boston and Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2225) of Samantha Montaño, Lindsay N. Sabadosa and others for legislation to further regulate the possession particular controlled substances. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHarm reduction and substance use recovery focus on expanding access to mental health services and treatment programs, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

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

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1411) of Liz Miranda and John F. Keenan for legislation to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes trust fund for perinatal behavioral health workforce, directly funding mental health services under specified subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 5, 2025

HD 4509: An Act authorizing a pilot for the use of psychedelics in licensed treatment facilities

By Representative O'Day of West Boylston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of James J. O'Day for legislation to authorize a pilot program for the use of psychedelics in certain licensed treatment facilities. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes psychedelic treatment pilots in mental health facilities, expanding innovative care access under Mental Health subject. Directly advances treatment options per healthcare indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes medical marijuana pilot for veterans to treat conditions currently using opioids, offering alternative treatment for opioid use disorder, improving patient access to healthcare options.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates medical marijuana pilot program specifically for veterans to treat opioid-related conditions, directly improving healthcare access and addressing opioid use disorder in veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

H 2221: An Act relative to student mental health

By Representatives Lewis of Framingham and Higgins of Leominster, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2221) of Jack Patrick Lewis, Natalie M. Higgins and others for legislation to require that student identification cards contain suicide prevention lifeline contact information. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires suicide prevention lifeline on student IDs, enhancing mental health support programs in schools per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention lifeline info on student IDs, directly enhancing mental health access and prevention services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

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

By Representative Tarsky of Needham, a petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 2236) of Joshua Tarsky for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to promote safe social media use, identify best practices for social media platforms to safeguard children’s mental health, and develop guidelines for safe social media use. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes commission to develop guidelines safeguarding children's mental health via social media, directly supporting mental health services as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 2286: 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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical marijuana pilot for veterans' opioid treatment, expanding alternative healthcare options for substance use disorder and public health program.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes medical marijuana pilot for veterans to treat opioid-related conditions, directly enhancing healthcare options for veterans with opioid use disorder.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track