HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 971        FILED ON: 1/15/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1809

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Byron Rushing

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act increasing public safety by increasing access to addiction treatment.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Byron Rushing

9th Suffolk

1/15/2013

Ann-Margaret Ferrante

5th Essex

 

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

 

Elizabeth A. Malia

11th Suffolk

1/30/2013

Gloria L. Fox

7th Suffolk

2/1/2013

Michael J. Barrett

Third Middlesex

 

Denise Provost

27th Middlesex

 

James J. O'Day

14th Worcester

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 971        FILED ON: 1/15/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1809

By Mr. Rushing of Boston, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1809) of Byron Rushing and others relative to increasing public safety by increasing access to addiction treatment.  Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1431 OF 2011-2012.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

_______________

 

An Act increasing public safety by increasing access to addiction treatment.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 111E of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby

amended in section 5 by adding, after line 34, the following:—

The director shall establish a program of assistance for the treatment of all substance dependent persons who are not otherwise eligible for assistance under any other program and who lack private health insurance coverage or have health insurance coverage which does not cover all necessary treatment covered by this chapter. The department shall furnish such medical assistance to each such substance dependent person residing in the commonwealth in accordance with standards of eligibility established by the department.

The department shall ensure that all substance dependent persons who appear to be eligible for assistance under this or any other chapter are assisted in enrolling for such treatments.

The director shall promulgate and, from time to time, amend regulations detailing eligibility criteria, services to be covered in conformity with appropriate standards of care, and reimbursement policies.

The department shall conduct annual reports detailing the effectiveness and financial impact of the programs that are funded pursuant to the requirements of this act, and submit those studies to the Legislature no later than one year from the date the programs are implemented. The evaluation studies shall include, but not be limited to, a study of the implementation process, a review of lower incarcerations costs, reductions in crime, reduced prison and jail construction, reduced welfare costs, reduced public safety costs, reduced health care costs, reduced costs of homelessness services, the adequacy of funds appropriated, treatment measures on completion rates and quality of life indicators, such as alcohol and drug used, employment, health, mental health, and family and social supports and, other impacts or issues the department can identify.

In addition to studies to evaluate the effectiveness and financial impact of the programs that are funded pursuant to the requirements of this act, the department shall produce an annual report detailing the number and characteristics of participants served as a result of this act.