SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1775        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1081

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

William N. Brownsberger

_________________

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 to authorize public health workers to pursue new measures to reduce harm and stigma for people affected by substance use disorder.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

William N. Brownsberger

Second Suffolk and Middlesex

 

Julian Cyr

Cape and Islands

1/24/2017

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

1/27/2017

Jack Lewis

7th Middlesex

2/2/2017

Mary S. Keefe

15th Worcester

2/2/2017

Denise Provost

27th Middlesex

2/2/2017

Anne M. Gobi

Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

2/2/2017

Kenneth J. Donnelly

Fourth Middlesex

2/2/2017

Paul R. Heroux

2nd Bristol

2/2/2017

Carolyn C. Dykema

8th Middlesex

2/2/2017

Marjorie C. Decker

25th Middlesex

2/2/2017

Mike Connolly

26th Middlesex

2/2/2017

Patricia D. Jehlen

Second Middlesex

2/3/2017

Michael J. Barrett

Third Middlesex

5/18/2017

Cindy F. Friedman

Fourth Middlesex

10/2/2017


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1775        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1081

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1081) of William N. Brownsberger, Julian Cyr, James B. Eldridge, Jack Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation to authorize public health workers to pursue new measures to reduce harm and stigma for people affected by substance use disorder.  Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act to authorize public health workers to pursue new measures to reduce harm and stigma for people affected by substance use disorder.

 

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 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 215A.

(a) A “safer drug consumption program” provides a space for people who use drugs to consume pre–obtained drugs under the supervision of healthcare professionals or other trained staff and may provide other related services including but not limited to needle exchange, overdose prevention, and referrals to treatment and other services.

(b) The Department of Public Health may approve the implementation of safer drug consumption programs in cities and towns.  Prior to implementation of a of safer drug consumption program, approval shall be obtained from the Board of Health in the hosting city or town.  The city or town shall, in a manner determined by the Department, provide notice of such approval to the Department.

(c) Not later than one year after the implementation of a safer drug consumption program, the Department shall report the results of the program and any recommendations by filing the same with the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on public safety and homeland security