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

the decision makers

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Who on committee has co-sponsored:

state senators:

John Velisred x
John Velis (D)
Westfield

chair

Julian Cyrgreen check
Julian Cyr (D)
Truro

chair

Nick Collinsred x
Nick Collins (D)
Boston
Brendan Crightongreen check
Brendan Crighton (D)
Lynn
John Keenangreen check
John Keenan (D)
Quincy
Patrick O'Connorred x
Patrick O'Connor (R)
Weymouth
Robyn Kennedyred x
Robyn Kennedy (D)
Worcester

state representatives:

Adrian Madarored x
Adrian Madaro (D)
Boston

chair

Michelle DuBoisred x
Michelle DuBois (D)
Brockton

chair

Sally Keransgreen check
Sally Kerans (D)
Christopher Markeyred x
Christopher Markey (D)
Dartmouth
Michael Kushmerekred x
Michael Kushmerek (D)
Natalie Higginsgreen check
Natalie Higgins (D)
Leominster
Simon Cataldored x
Simon Cataldo (D)
Acton
Tram Nguyengreen check
Tram Nguyen (D)
Andover
Kate Donaghuegreen check
Kate Donaghue (D)
Westborough
Susannah Whippsred x
Susannah Whipps (I)
Athol
Alyson Sullivanred x
Alyson Sullivan (R)
Abington
Donald Berthiaumered x
Donald Berthiaume (R)
Spencer
Steven Xiarhosred x
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

Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers
ACLU MA