SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2680
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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SENATE, April 1, 2024.
The committee on Higher Education, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 847) of Rebecca L. Rausch, Russell E. Holmes, David F. DeCoste, Michael O. Moore and other members of the General Court for legislation to support college students in recovery; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 849) of John C. Velis for legislation relative to opioid overdose prevention in college housing, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2680).
For the committee,
Joanne M. Comerford
FILED ON: 2/7/2024
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2680
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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 support college students in recovery..
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Chapter 15A of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 48. (a) Public institutions of higher education, in which at least 25 per cent of the undergraduate students live in on-campus housing, may establish a substance abuse recovery housing program. The purpose of the program shall be to provide a supportive substance-free dormitory environment that recognizes the unique risks and challenges that recovering students face, and that provides support programs to recovering students who reside in the recovery housing to assist their efforts to remain substance-free. The program shall include trauma-informed on-site counseling, mentoring, peer support, and other appropriate services. An institution may designate a floor, wing, or other designated area within a dormitory building for the substance abuse recovery housing program.
(b) Each public institution of higher education may provide training in the administration of opioid antagonists and responses to overdoses to students, faculty, and staff and shall make available opioid antagonists for the purpose of treating overdoses to those who have received and completed the provided training. Opioid antagonists shall be accessible to resident assistants who have successfully completed the training course offered by their public institution of higher education, for use in an emergency if a person is suspected of having an opioid overdose.
(c) Institutions may apply for any federal, state, corporate, or other grant funding that may be available to implement the substance abuse recovery housing program, overdose training, or access to opioid receptor antagonists.
(d) The department of higher education, in consultation with the department of public health, shall adopt regulations and provide guidance to public institutions of higher education on the implementation of this section.