An Act relative to establishing protections for and ensuring access to harm reduction programming and services in the commonwealth
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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 protect and expand access to harm reduction programs and services throughout Massachusetts. It defines ‘harm reduction program’ and ‘harm reduction program operators,’ establishes a process for cities and towns to approve such programs, and provides legal protections for individuals involved in these programs, including immunity from certain criminal and civil penalties. The bill also mandates data collection and reporting on the effectiveness and impact of these programs.
Key provisions
- Defines ‘harm reduction program’ and ‘harm reduction program operators’ for clarity.
- Allows cities and towns to authorize harm reduction programs with local board of health approval.
- Provides legal immunity to harm reduction program operators, staff, and participants from certain criminal and civil penalties.
- Requires the Department of Public Health to collect and report data on harm reduction programs statewide.
- Exempts harm reduction programs from registration requirements under existing law.
- Protects individuals accessing harm reduction services from being used as a basis for unreasonable suspicion.
- Addresses the continuation of existing needle exchange programs under the new definitions.
- Establishes a process for existing programs to continue operations under the new framework.
Who is affected
- Individuals experiencing substance use disorder
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
40 on record
Primary sponsor
Substance Use and Recovery Joint Committee on Mental Health
Cosponsors
Amy Mah Sangiolo
Antonio F. D. Cabral
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