Amendment #51 to H4000

Codify the Substance Abuse and Prevention Task Force

Representatives Hunt of Sandwich, Jones of North Reading, Peterson of Grafton, Hill of Ipswich, Poirier of North Attleborough and deMacedo of Plymouth move to amend the bill by adding the following section:-

“SECTION XX. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be established the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention, pursuant to executive order 467. The interagency council shall function to: (i) support the efforts of the department of public health to fulfill its statutory mandate to supervise, coordinate and establish standards for the operation of substance use prevention and treatment services; (ii) oversee implementation of initiatives and programs that effectively direct the existing resources and minimize the impact of substance abuse; (iii) develop and recommend formal policies and procedures for the coordination and efficient utilization of programs and resources across state agencies and secretariats; (iv) develop an annual report and submit to the Governor, by November of each year, all activities of the council and recommend further efforts and resource needs; and (v) review the role and functions of the advisory council on alcoholism pursuant to chapter 17 of the General Laws, and the drug rehabilitation advisory board pursuant to chapter 118e of the General Laws, and recommend changes as necessary.

(b) The interagency council shall be chaired by the lieutenant governor, staffed by an executive director appointed by the lieutenant governor, and shall consist of the following members or their designees: the secretary of health and human services; the secretary of public safety; the secretary of elder affairs; the secretary of veterans affairs; the commissioner of education; the commissioner of correction; the chair of the parole board; the commissioner of probation; the commissioner of public health; the commissioner of youth services; the commissioner of mental health; the commissioner of developmental services; the commissioner of the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission; the commissioner of transitional assistance; the commissioner of children and families; the commissioner of the center for health information and analysis; the commissioner for the deaf and hard of hearing; the commissioner for early education and care; the assistant commissioner of public health for substance abuse services; the medicaid director; a representative of the juvenile court; a representative of the superior court; a representative of the district court; a representative of the governor's office; one private citizen who is recovering from substance abuse problems, appointed by the governor; one member appointed by the president of the senate; one member appointed by the speaker of the house; one member appointed by the senate minority leader; one member appointed by the house minority leader; and other appropriate representatives as determined by the governor. All members shall serve without compensation in an advisory capacity and at the pleasure of the governor.

(c) The interagency council shall meet at least four (4) times annually and shall establish task groups, meetings, forums and any other activity deemed necessary to carry out its mandate.

(d) The interagency council will establish an executive committee composed of a minimum of eleven (11) members that will meet on a bi-monthly basis to provide guidance on the recommendations of the council. At minimum, this executive committee will be comprised of the following members or their designees: the secretary of health and human services, the secretary of public safety; the commissioner of public health; the commissioner of children and families; the commissioner of correction; the commissioner of mental health; the commissioner of youth services; the medicaid director; the assistant commissioner of public health for substance abuse services; and at least two additional members from the council.

(e) All affected agencies, departments and boards of the commonwealth shall fully cooperate with the interagency council. The council may call and rely upon the expertise and services of individuals and entities outside of its membership for research, advice, support or other functions necessary and appropriate to further accomplish its mission.”.