Amendment #1088 to H4400

Create a commission to research current logistical issues related to outpatient methadone centers and identify alternatives to the distribution of outpatient methadone treatment

Representatives Fiola of Fall River, Rushing of Boston, Schmid of Westport, Campbell of Methuen, Cahill of Lynn, O'Day of West Boylston, Keefe of Worcester, Orrall of Lakeville, Gentile of Sudbury, Vargas of Haverhill, DiZoglio of Methuen, Rogers of Norwood and Garballey of Arlington move to amend the bill by adding the following section:

“SECTION X. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, there shall be a special commission established to research current logistical issues related to outpatient methadone centers and to identify alternatives to the distribution of outpatient methadone treatment.

The commission shall consist of 9 members: 1 of whom shall be the commissioner of public health or the commissioner’s designee; 1 of whom shall be a member Massachusetts chain pharmacy council; 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts independent pharmacists association; 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts medical society; 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts hospital association;  1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts organization for addiction recovery; 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts league of community health centers; 1 person appointed by the speaker of the house who shall be a member of the public actively involved in the recovery community; 1 person appointed by the senate president who shall be a member of the public actively involved in the recovery community;

The research shall include, but not be limited to:

(a)           evaluating the methods currently used to distribute methadone;

(b)           evaluating the possibility of administering methadone treatment in a pharmacy setting

(c)           research methods to destigmatize methadone treatment with the general public; and

(d)           the impact on housing, counseling, support and public safety in communities that have outpatient methadone centers

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services shall expend not less than $150,000 to oversee and administer the commission. The commission shall file the findings of its study by December 31, 2019, with the clerks of the house and the senate, who shall forward the report to the chairmen of the house committee on ways and means, the senate committee on ways and means, the joint committee on the public health, and the joint committee on mental health, substance use, and recovery.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #1088 to H4400

Create a commission to research current logistical issues related to outpatient methadone centers and identify alternatives to the distribution of outpatient methadone treatment