HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2850        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3791

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Chynah Tyler

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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 halfway houses.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2850        FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3791

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to halfway houses.

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

There shall be established a special commission pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to investigate and study the use of roommate houses as sober homes or halfway houses in the commonwealth. The commission shall review state and municipal laws and regulations relative to the safety of residents of roommate houses used as sober homes or halfway houses and the communities’ safety and wellness where the sober homes or halfway houses are located.

The commission shall consist of the following 11 members: the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance abuse and recovery, who shall serve as co-chairs; 2 members of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house; 2 members of the senate to be appointed by the senate president; the director of the department of public health, bureau of substance addiction services or their designee; and 4 members to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall have experience working in sober homes or halfway houses, 1 of whom shall be the parent of an individual with substance abuse disorders or an individual with substance abuse disorders that has lived in a sober home or halfway house and 2 of whom shall be individuals that reside in a community that directly abuts a sober home or halfway house. Members of the commission shall be drawn from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and socio-economic backgrounds, and should have personal experience, professional background or demonstrated interest on issues relating to persons with substance abuse disorders.

No later than March 31, 2022, the commission shall file its report, together with the results of its study, recommendations and drafts of recommended legislation, with the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate.