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The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Section 12E1/2: Drug or alcohol overdose of a minor; notification of minor's parent, guardian or other having custody and control; distribution of pamphlet with addiction treatment and overdose prevention information; access to social worker

Section 12E1/2. The department of public health shall produce a pamphlet with contact information for its bureau of substance addiction services, including its telephone helpline number, and with information on the benefits and availability of addiction treatment and on the prevention of overdoses. A physician, nurse practitioner or hospital that treats a person under 18 years of age for a drug or alcohol overdose, as defined by regulations of the department, shall: (i) notify the minor's parent, legal guardian or other person having custody or control of a minor child of the overdose as part of the discharge planning process; (ii) provide the pamphlet to the parent, legal guardian or other person having custody or control of a minor child and to the minor child; and (iii) provide access to a social worker, if available.

The department shall promulgate regulations to ensure that the notification provisions of this section are applied in a manner consistent with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.