SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1922        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1461

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bruce E. Tarr

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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 relative to promote referral to treatment.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1922        FILED ON: 1/18/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1461

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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

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An Act relative to promote referral to 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. The secretary of public safety, in consultation with the secretary of health and human services and the Massachusetts district attorney association, shall develop, maintain, and promulgate guidance for referral to treatment by the department of state police and municipal police departments for individuals presenting at department facilities with a substance addiction, provided that they are not engaged in the illegal trafficking of controlled substances.

SECTION 2. The secretary of public safety, in consultation with the secretary of health and human services and the Massachusetts district attorney association, shall conduct a study of the mechanisms, resources, and legal and regulatory frameworks, if necessary, to implement a comprehensive system of referral to treatment for those with substance addictions presenting themselves at state or municipal police facilities. Said study shall include, but not be limited to, the resources and costs necessary to implement and maintain such a system, costs currently being sustained by local police departments engaged in such programs, the current availability of beds and other treatment resources, and the projected need for such resources to implement a comprehensive statewide system, and any applicable laws, rules, and/or regulations necessary to such a system.

The results of said study, together with any legislative recommendations, shall be filed with the joint committee on public safety and homeland security, and the clerks of the house and senate, not later than twelve months following the passage of this act.