An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to encourage courts in Massachusetts to prioritize treatment options for individuals struggling with alcohol or substance use disorders over incarceration. It seeks to shift the focus of the justice system towards rehabilitation and support services for those with these challenges, recognizing that treatment is often a more effective and sustainable approach than imprisonment. The bill intends to promote a system that addresses the underlying causes of substance use and helps individuals recover and reintegrate into society.
Key provisions
- Requires courts to consider treatment as a primary option for individuals with substance use or alcohol use disorders.
- Encourages the development and expansion of treatment programs within the criminal justice system.
- Promotes collaboration between courts, treatment providers, and community organizations.
- Directs the Department of Mental Health to develop best practices for treatment-based sentencing.
- Supports the implementation of diversion programs that offer treatment instead of incarceration.
- Requires the Judicial branch to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment-based approaches.
- Mandates reporting on treatment outcomes to the legislature.
- Expands access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder.
Who is affected
- Individuals with alcohol or substance use disorders
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
15 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Christopher Hendricks
David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf
James B. Eldridge
Arguments
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