SENATE DOCKET, NO. 492        FILED ON: 1/16/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1265

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Patrick M. O'Connor

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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 to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 492        FILED ON: 1/16/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1265

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1309 OF 2021-2022.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment.

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. Section 96 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following:-

Each public school’s substance use prevention policy shall include plans to educate and inform students with particular attention to:

(1) the dangers of addictive substance use generally, and especially of opioids, and the repercussions thereof, and

(2) the immunities granted under section 34A of chapter 94C of the general laws to encourage the reporting of overdoses.

Schools may employ useful methods based on successful models used in other districts. Schools may assess the effectiveness of their measures, share successful approaches with others, and work for more effective substance use education in collaboration with the department of public health and the department of elementary and secondary education. 

SECTION 2. This act shall go into effect immediately upon its passage.