SENATE DOCKET, NO. 807        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Pavel Payano

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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 education in public schools.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 807        FILED ON: 1/14/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 342 OF 2023-2024.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act relative to substance use education in public schools.

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 71, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition of the General Laws, is hereby amended by adding after Section 99 the following section:-

Section 100. The department of elementary and secondary education in coordination with the department of public health shall develop a model curriculum designed for the purpose of substance use and addiction prevention which shall align with the health curriculum framework and address the following topics: tobacco, alcohol, opiate and prescription drug diversion and use and other substance use and use prevention, conflict resolution, healthy coping behavior, student and community mental health resources and peer leadership. The curriculum shall take into account the best practices and policies in other states. The adolescent substance use and addiction prevention curriculum shall be incorporated into the health curriculum in grades 4 to 12 for all students in the public schools. The state shall fully fund all costs associated with the implementation of this act. The model curriculum shall be developed on or before June 30, 2026.