This bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to submit a quarterly report detailing the money flowing into and out of the Substance Use Disorder Federal Reinvestment Trust Fund. The report must cover revenues from federal reimbursements and other sources used to fund specific services like residential rehabilitation, medication for addiction treatment, and peer recovery coaching. These funds are intended to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and support recovery for individuals across Massachusetts. The document provides a detailed accounting of past spending and outlines future plans to utilize remaining funds for new health initiatives.
Senate, June 29, 2026 -- The committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1402) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation to ensure access to addiction services, report the accompanying Order (Senate, No. 3151).
This bill amends Massachusetts law to expand who can access certain substance use disorder treatment services beyond just blood relatives. It specifically adds parents, as defined by a 2024 act, and other family members recognized by law to the list of eligible individuals. The change ensures that a broader range of family members can utilize these treatment resources without needing to prove a biological connection.
By Representative Chan of Quincy, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tackey Chan relative to increasing available support systems for those with substance use disorder. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
This bill directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to submit an annual report for 2025 detailing how Medicaid health plans and their contractors comply with federal mental health parity laws. The report must specifically outline the steps taken to ensure that coverage for mental health and substance use disorders is comparable to coverage for physical health conditions. This requirement applies to the state's Medicaid program and the private entities contracted to administer it, ensuring transparency in how these services are regulated.
This bill appropriates funds for the 2026 fiscal year to support various state agencies, including those responsible for substance addiction services, homelessness programs, and public safety operations. It also allocates money for specific projects such as technology costs for district attorneys and snow and ice removal services for the Department of Transportation. Beyond funding, the legislation updates legal thresholds for construction projects and expands procurement rules to allow government bodies to bundle broadband and fiber optic services into single purchases. These changes aim to streamline how the state buys internet infrastructure and adjust financial limits for certain construction activities.
This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services to develop and submit a plan by December 31, 2026, to end operations at the Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center (MASAC) as a secure facility for involuntary treatment of substance use disorders. The plan must identify and approve alternative facilities with sufficient capacity to handle individuals currently committed under state law, while ensuring geographic distribution across the state. The department must provide quarterly reports to the legislature detailing patient census numbers, transfer statistics, new facility capacities, and financial impacts of the transition.
This bill establishes legal protections and access for harm reduction programs and services throughout the commonwealth, primarily affecting health organizations, service providers, and individuals involved in substance use support. It creates a new legal definition for harm reduction programs, which can include needle exchanges, distribution of opioid antagonists, drug testing services, and referrals to treatment, and requires these programs to be approved by the state department and local health boards. The legislation grants immunity from criminal prosecution, civil liability, and professional disciplinary action to program operators and participants acting in good faith, while excluding cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting on program activities and data collection to track outcomes, and clarifies that entering or using a harm reduction program cannot be used as grounds for law enforcement searches or seizures.
H 5126 would require courts to assess probationers for substance use disorders and order treatment instead of jail time for relapse. It mandates individualized treatment plans using licensed providers or evidence-based practices (like medication-assisted therapy), with courts reviewing provider reports on progress. Probationers who complete treatment but relapse may receive additional treatment rather than incarceration. The bill preserves courts' authority to use other probation sanctions for public safety while shifting focus from punishment to treatment for substance use issues.
H 5062 establishes rules for how health insurers and injured people split recovery money from third-party injury claims. It requires that insurers' reimbursement claims be limited to the proportion of medical benefits they paid relative to the injured person's total damages. If the settlement or judgment is less than the full damages, courts can reduce the insurer's claim after reviewing the case. The bill also creates a court process for resolving disputes over fair allocation of recovery funds, including attorney fees, when the injured person and insurer cannot agree. This directly affects injured individuals, health insurers, and hospitals that provided medical benefits.
