Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 1422: An Act relative to Narcan availability in schools

SD 1078 requires all public school districts in Massachusetts to establish a naloxone (Narcan) overdose prevention program. Specifically, it mandates that every school nurse must be trained in naloxone assistance and have naloxone available in the nurse's office. The bill also directs schools to offer optional, extracurricular training on administering naloxone nasal spray to secondary students, delivered by qualified individuals following nationally recognized standards. This law directly affects school nurses, administrators, and secondary students in public schools across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Narcan availability in schools to address opioid overdoses, directly supporting public health and substance use treatment services under mental health subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 1392: Resolve providing for a study and recommendations by a special commission relative to access to behavioral health services for children and families in the commonwealth

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1392) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford that provisions be made for a special commission to study available behavioral health services and to make recommendations for improving access to behavioral health services for children and families in the commonwealth. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates commission to study and improve access to behavioral health services, directly supporting mental health access as a healthcare component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 11, 2025

S 1384: 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 contact information on all new or replacement student ID cards. It directly affects schools and institutions issuing student IDs by mandating the inclusion of the 988 phone and text number. The requirement applies to IDs issued on or after July 1, 2025, with existing non-compliant cards allowed to be used until depleted. The bill does not change funding or create new programs, solely adding crisis resource information to existing student identification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAddresses student mental health, a critical component of educational access and student well-being, enhancing school support services within K-12 context.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly addresses student mental health services under healthcare topics, aligning with support indicators for strengthening mental health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 432: An Act relative to prescription opioid abuse prevention education

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 432) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to prescription opioid abuse prevention education. Education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill focuses on opioid abuse prevention education, a public health initiative directly advancing healthcare by addressing a critical health crisis through preventive education.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 22, 2025

S 416: An Act providing opportunity for youth with substance use disorder

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 416) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to prove opportunity for youth with substance abuse needs. Education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses youth with substance use disorder (a healthcare issue), aiming to provide opportunity (likely access to treatment/services), directly supporting mental health services per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 9, 2026

H 3950: An Act relative to supporting parents in recovery from substance use disorder and enhancing child welfare

HD 2790 requires Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families to create action plans for parents with substance use disorder, allowing parents to help design these plans and listing available resources. It mandates objective standards in plans to gradually increase restricted parenting time and permits recovery coaches or licensed counselors to attend department meetings. The bill also requires the department to provide family counseling after six months of maintained recovery (if appropriate for the child's best interests) and to train staff using input from recovery professionals and medical experts. This directly affects parents in child welfare cases seeking to maintain or regain parenting rights while addressing substance use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directly supports mental health/substance use recovery services for parents, enhancing access to healthcare treatment within child welfare framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2241: An Act relative to recovery housing in environmental justice communities

This bill creates a permit system for recovery housing (sober homes) in Massachusetts, requiring operators to apply for a "determination of need permit" from the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. It prohibits new recovery housing in designated "impacted communities" (neighborhoods meeting specific criteria like low income, high minority populations, or language barriers). Operators must submit detailed information including location, staff details, rules, and proof that only residents with disabilities (as defined by law) will reside there. Existing recovery housing must apply for permits by June 30, 2024, and new operators must obtain permits before opening. The bill aims to regulate recovery housing placement while prioritizing environmental justice communities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes recovery housing in environmental justice communities to support mental health and substance use services, directly advancing access to treatment programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes recovery housing (sober homes) in environmental justice communities, targeting underserved areas and addressing housing needs for vulnerable populations in a specific housing context.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 25, 2026

H 2196: 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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to increase access to treatment for overdose deaths and mental health/substance use recovery, directly advancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 30, 2026

H 2237: An Act regarding a minor's consent to substance use treatment

HD 4206 allows minors aged 12 or older to consent to hospital and medical care for substance use disorders without parental permission. A medical professional must first determine the minor has a substance use disorder. This consent cannot be canceled later because the minor is under 18. The bill directly affects minors with substance use disorders seeking treatment and healthcare providers offering such care. It changes existing law to remove parental consent requirements for this specific treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables minors to consent to substance use treatment, improving access to mental health/substance use services without parental barriers, directly supporting patient access in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 25, 2025

S 2601: Order relative to authorizing the joint committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery to make an investigation and study of a certain current Senate document relative to behavioral health services for children and families.

Senate, September 11, 2025 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1392) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford that provisions be made for a special commission to study available behavioral health services and to make recommendations for improving access to behavioral health services for children and families in the commonwealth, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 2601).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill authorizes committee to study and improve access to children's behavioral health services, directly aligning with mental health support indicators in healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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