AN ACT RELATIVE TO CERTAIN PROGRAMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to expend forthwith funds for certain programs within the department of public health, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
Item 4512-0200 of section 2 of said chapter 45 of the acts of 2005 is hereby amended by inserting after the words “personnel-related costs” the following words:-
provided further, that the commissioner of public health shall ensure that the funding is allocated in a manner that reflects the need among demographic groups; provided further, that the commissioner of public health shall ensure that the funding is allocated for the purpose of a comprehensive, accessible continuum of substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, which shall include, but not be limited to, acute treatment services with options for extended duration beyond 3 to 5 days, post-detox step-down services up to 30 days, including 24-hour services with beds, comprehensive adolescent services including stabilization and structured outpatient addiction programs with shelter and transitional services, residential and ambulatory services for adults and youth, and prevention programs; provided further, that there shall be a particular focus on increasing the capacity to serve individuals without insurance, or, if there are no other payers for needed services, on individuals within the court system or exiting correctional facilities and who are in need of treatment; provided further, that $8,000,000 shall be expended for an increase of $20 in the daily unit rate for currently licensed recovery home beds while maintaining current capacity; provided further, that not less than $2,250,000 shall be expended to provide for one-time startup costs for three sobriety high schools in the following regions of the commonwealth: greater Boston, greater Springfield and the north shore; provided further, that said costs shall include, but not be limited to, personnel costs such as salaries, and operating costs such as the lease of the schools, the renovation of the schools, furniture, books and desks; provided further, that not less than $1,500,000 shall be expended to establish a 25 bed program for crisis stabilization services for 13-18 year olds with the capacity to medically monitor for alcohol and drug use related withdrawal symptoms and co-occurring mental health issues; provided further, that $1,500,000 be expended for substance abuse and mental health pilot programs in houses of correction in Hampden county, Norfolk county, Middlesex county and Barnstable county; provided further, that one counselor shall be assigned for every two hundred inmates within each facility; provided further, that said pilot programs shall report upon the progress of the program and the rate of recidivism bi-annually to the joint chairpersons of the mental health and substance abuse committee and to the chairpersons of the house and senate committee on ways and means; provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be provided to the Essex county district attorney to develop a pilot program for non-violent offenders in a non-correctional locked down substance abuse treatment facility; provided further, that said offenders agree to enter said treatment facility and complete treatment and pay restitution for any crimes committed on the condition that their arraignment be held in abeyance; provided further, that other district attorneys may utilize said program upon mutual agreement of all parties; provided further, that not less than $750,000 shall be expended for CasaStart, a comprehensive program designed to target youth and families at risk for crime and drug involvement; provided further, that not less than $400,000 shall be expended to fund 10 beds through the CAB program in conjunction with the H.E.A.T. program at the Woburn District Court; provided further, that not more than $150,000 shall be expended for the Hampden county sheriff to design and operate an innovative residential program for recently released female offenders in the Springfield area; provided further, that not less than $149,990 shall be expended for Casa Esperanza; and provided further that $100,000 shall be expended for the prevention of substance abuse in the town of Saugus.
Passed without Governor’s signature, July 11, 2006.