SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1642        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1320

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Patrick M. O'Connor

_________________

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 conduct a public health study of synthetic drugs in the commonwealth.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Patrick M. O'Connor

Plymouth and Norfolk

 

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Second Hampden and Hampshire

2/1/2019


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1642        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1320

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1320) of Patrick M. O'Connor and Donald F. Humason, Jr. for legislation to conduct a public health study of synthetic drugs in the commonwealth.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

 

An Act to conduct a public health study of synthetic drugs in the commonwealth.

 

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.  The department of public health is hereby authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive study of synthetic drugs, as well as their use, effects, prevalence, and health implications. For the purposes of this act, the definition of the term “synthetic drug” shall include, but not be limited to, synthetic opioids, fentanyl, carfentanil, synthetic cocaine, bath salts, MDMA, synthetic marijuana, and synthetic psychedelics. The department shall investigate and report on the use, effects, prevalence, and health implications of synthetic drugs in the Commonwealth. The department of public health shall collect data on the types of synthetic opioids, historical rates of usage and prevalence, as well as physical, mental, and emotional short and long term impacts of the drug. The department of public health shall develop strategic and legislative recommendations to reduce the use of synthetic drugs by way of public awareness campaigns, educational curriculum, and rehabilitative therapies. The department of public health shall file a report of its study, including its recommendations and drafts of legislation, with the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives on or before December 1, 2021.