Advocacy Alert: Massachusetts Substance Use Disorder Treatment Bills

November 15, 2018

H 2181: Relative to Substance Use Disorder Diversion and Treatment

On January 23, 2017, Representative Elizabeth Malia and 58 other Democrat Representatives introduced H 2181, which was replaced on July 18, 2018, by H 4778, accompanied by a study order.

The bill seeks to amend several paragraphs of Section 1 of chapter 111E of the General Laws of 2014. These amendments seek to define several terms, and adds several amendments.

H 4778 was discharged to the committee on House Rules on July 18, 2018, and no other action has been taken. If passed, Sections 23 and 33 would take effect on October 1, 2019.

BHAP supports this bill. These amendments better defines substance use disorder (SUD) treatment professionals, and provides for the diversion of inmates to SUD treatment should they be diagnosed appropriately.

We encourage those that operate in Massachusetts to reach out to your representative and express your support of H 4778.

S 1096: To Expand Access to Medically Assisted Treatment Providers

On January 23, 2017, Senator Jennifer Flanagan and four other Democrat Senators introduced S 1096, which was replaced on April 17, 2018, by S 2439, also accompanied by a study order.

The bill, if passed, would expand access to medically assisted treatment providers. It would "develop or provide for, and make available for voluntary participation by any physician, a professional training module on the prescribing and administration of naltrexone, both pill and injectable form, for the treatment of opioid use disorders and alcohol use disorders", as well as establish an extended release of naltrexone training, and submit a report on mental health and substance use on the number of providers trained.

S 2439 was discharged to the committee on Senate Rules on May 7, 2018, and no other action has been taken.

BHAP supports this bill. This bill could provide more funding for SUD treatment.

We encourage those that operate in Massachusetts to reach out to your representative and express your support of H 4778.

For more information on the current laws governing treatment programs and sober living facilities in Massachusetts, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions for the state.