SENATE DOCKET, NO. 47        FILED ON: 1/11/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1279

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Diana DiZoglio

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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 substance use accountable care organizations.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 47        FILED ON: 1/11/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1279

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1140 OF 2019-2020.]

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 substance use accountable care organizations.

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 6D of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 19. (a) For the purposes of this section the following terms, shall unless the context clearly appears otherwise, have the following meanings:-

“Substance use disorder accountable care organization”, a provider organization certified under section 15 or other organization engaged in the treatment or management of substance use disorder.

“Recovery center”,  a halfway house, treatment unit, detoxification facility, facility licensed pursuant to section 7 of chapter 111E or a residence that provides or advertises as providing, an alcohol and drug free environment for people recovering from substance use disorders.

“Recovery program”, any program or services delivered by or through a substance use disorder accountable care organization at a recovery center.

“Substance use disorder”, the range of conditions associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, including substance dependence, use and withdrawal as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.

(b) The commission shall facilitate and coordinate the creation of recovery programs provided by a substance use disorder accountable care organization, for the purpose of ensuring and improving access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder services throughout the commonwealth by providing a platform for the organization of all relevant health, mental health, substance use, and other community entities, and by providing a mechanism to use and channel financial and other resources efficiently and effectively.

(c)The commission shall identify unmet community needs that may be coordinated or provided by a substance use disorder accountable care organization through a recovery program, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)waiting lists in community mental health and substance use services;

(2)hospital emergency department use by persons with mental and substance use illnesses; including volume, length of stay, and challenges associated with obtaining psychiatric assessment;

(3)difficulty obtaining admission to inpatient facilities, and reasons therefore;

(4)availability of primary care providers in the community;

(5)availability of psychiatrists and mental health professionals; and

(6)transportation issues.

(d) The commission shall develop a plan to address community needs through substance use disorder accountable care organizations, including a specific timeline for implementation of specific objectives and establishment of evaluation measures. The comprehensive plan shall include the complete continuum of behavioral health services, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)prevention;

(2)client assessment and diagnosis;

(3)an array of outpatient behavioral health services;

(4)case coordination;

(5)crisis and emergency services; and

(6)treatment, including inpatient psychiatric services in public and private hospitals.

(e) A substance use disorder accountable care organization shall manage all the high risk prescribed medicines that are in use within alcohol and drug free housing.  Prescribed medications shall only be accessible and administered by licensed clinical personnel. The commission shall establish rules and regulations for the classification of high risk prescribed medications and the use of individualized locked boxes for such medications to be stored in a locked closet or office in a recovery center.