SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1598        FILED ON: 2/17/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1301

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Eric P. Lesser

_________________

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 establish a commission to study substance use disorder and treatment disparities in the minority community.

_______________

PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1598        FILED ON: 2/17/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1301

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1156 OF 2019-2020.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

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

_______________

An Act to establish a commission to study substance use disorder and treatment disparities in the minority community.

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.  Notwithstanding any general or special laws to the contrary, there shall be established a commission to study the disproportionate impact substance use disorders and overdoses have on the minority community of the commonwealth and corresponding disparities in substance use disorder treatment access. The commission shall: (1) review current data and trends regarding substance use and overdose rates, disparities in treatment access, and corresponding causes in the minority community; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of current treatment interventions within minority communities; (3) identify barriers to accessing treatment, including lack of necessary resources, education, access and training to medical needs, and the need for culturally appropriate care and intervention; and (4) recommend evidence-based strategies to reduce overdose deaths and to improve access, treatment, and education in the minority community.

The commission shall consist of the following members or a designee: the secretary of health and human services, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of public health; a representative of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; and 8 members appointed by the governor, 2 of whom shall be representatives from advocacy organizations with expertise in substance use disorders and treatment, 2 of whom shall be representatives from advocacy organizations with expertise in racial disparities in health care, 1 of whom shall be a representative of community health centers located in a culturally diverse location, 1 of whom shall be a provider primarily serving the minority community, 1 of whom shall be an expert in substance use disorder treatment with a focus on the minority community, and 3 of whom shall be representatives of geographically diverse organizations that promote the well-being of culturally diverse populations through culturally competent behavioral health.

The commission shall file its report, including any recommendations, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery and the house and senate committees on ways and means annually not later than January 1 of each year.