Overdose Prevention Centers
An Act relative to preventing overdose deaths and increasing access to treatment - H.1981 - S.1242
Establishes a 10 year pilot program of overdose prevention centers (OPCs) that require approval by local boards of health
Establishes legal and regulatory framework to operate OPCs successfully
Makes legality of OPCs explicit, including civil and criminal protection for municipalities, providers, and clients
Requires data collection to prevent overdose deaths and guide public health efforts
Overdose prevention centers, sometimes called safe consumption sites, are evidence- based, legally sanctioned harm reduction facilities where people who use drugs can safely consume pre-obtained drugs under supervision of trained healthcare workers. In addition to preventing lethal overdoses, such facilities are designed to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis, and connect patients with social services, including drug treatment and recovery services.
Leading medical and public health advocacy stakeholder groups strongly support the piloting of OPCs including the Massachusetts Medical Society and Massachusetts Public Health Association, major Massachusetts hospitals and providers such as Boston Medical Center, Mass General Brigham and Fenway Health, and nonprofits RIZE Massachusetts Foundation and the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR). (Source)
Excerpted from ALCU Mass’s Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers Fact Sheet
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the decision makers
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Who on committee has co-sponsored:
state senators:
John Velis (D)
Westfield
chair
Julian Cyr (D)
Truro
chair
Nick Collins (D)
Boston
Brendan Crighton (D)
Lynn
John Keenan (D)
Quincy
Patrick O'Connor (R)
Weymouth
Robyn Kennedy (D)
Worcester
state representatives:
Adrian Madaro (D)
Boston
chair
Michelle DuBois (D)
Brockton
chair
Sally Kerans (D)
Christopher Markey (D)
Dartmouth
Michael Kushmerek (D)
Natalie Higgins (D)
Leominster
Simon Cataldo (D)
Acton
Tram Nguyen (D)
Andover
Kate Donaghue (D)
Westborough
Susannah Whipps (I)
Athol
Alyson Sullivan (R)
Abington
Donald Berthiaume (R)
Spencer
Steven Xiarhos (R)
Who has co-sponsored:
History of the bill
2025
Mar 2024
Reported favorably and referred to the committee on Health Care Financing
Apr 2024
Health Care Financing Committee recommended ought to pass
Apr 2024
Referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
Mar 2024
Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
2024
Jan 2023
Bill re-filed as H.1981/S.1242 (pilot program)
Feb 2023
Referred to the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Oct 2023
Joint committee hearing held
2023
Feb 2022
Reporting date extended to 5/9/2022
May 2022
Reporting date extended to 6/2/2022
Jun 2022
Accompanied a new draft, S.1272. The original bill text was more of a study, the new draft elevated it to a pilot program, similarly to the previous session. Bill reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery and referred to the Senate Committee on Health Care Financing.
Jul 2022
Sent to study by Senate Health Care Financing Committee (Study Order: S.3051)
2022
Mar 2021
Bill re-filed as S.1258 to study OPCs
Jan 2021
No further action taken by Senate Ways and Means
Sep 2021
Hearing held
Mar 2021
Referred to the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
2021
Feb 2020
Reporting date extended to 4/15/2020
May 2020
Accompanied a new draft, S.2717. The original bill text was more of a study, the new draft elevated it to a pilot program. Bill reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and referred to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Jun 2020
Senate recommended ought NOT to pass under Joint Rule 10. Rules suspended, read and referred to Senate Ways and Means
Apr 2020
Reporting date extended to 5/15/2020
Jun 2020
Reporting date extended to 12/31/2020
2020
Oct 2019
Hearing held
Jan 2019
Referred to the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Jan 2019
Bill filed as S.1134
2019
Advocacy Organizations
