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H 2226

An Act establishing a commission to study the availability of the continuum of care services for persons with substance use disorder

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carmine Gentile and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a temporary commission to map current SUD care availability, identify barriers, and assess regional capacity needs for a full continuum of care.

Accompanied a new draft, see H4669
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Bill Summary · H 2226

Summary of H.2226: An Act establishing a commission to study the availability of the continuum of care services for persons with substance use disorder

Overview

H.2226 proposes to establish a temporary commission to study and improve the availability of the continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in Massachusetts, including the potential creation of regional facilities. The bill focuses on identifying current service availability, barriers in transitioning between levels of care, and the need and capacity for regional continuum-of-care facilities. A new draft version, H.4669, accompanies this bill.

Purpose and Intent

  • Evaluate the current regional availability of SUD services across the treatment continuum: detoxification, clinical stabilization, transitional support, residential recovery homes, and outpatient treatment (including medication-assisted treatment, MAT).
  • Identify institutional barriers hindering progress through the care continuum (mental health integration, physical health, funding and costs, program space, transit, housing, and overall connectivity of services).
  • Assess the need for regional continuum-of-care facilities and determine the optimal capacity at each level of care to facilitate clinically appropriate access.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a special commission under Section 2A of Chapter 4 of the General Laws to study availability and potential regional facilities.
  • Commission objectives include: current regional service availability, barrier analysis, and a needs assessment for regional facilities and capacity.
  • Composition: the commission is co-chaired by the House and Senate Chairs of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery; other members include appointees from the Speaker, Senate President, minority leaders, the Attorney General or designee, MassHealth Assistant Secretary, the BAS Director, DPH Commissioner, DMH Commissioner, Ins. Division Commissioner, Boston Public Health Commissioner, and representatives from relevant organizations (e.g., Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, MA Health and Hospital Association, Volunteers of America Massachusetts, Learn to Cope, RIZE Massachusetts, Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, MA Association of Health Plans, Newmarket BID Homeless B2W Services).
  • Appointment timeline: all appointments due within 30 days of enactment; the co-chairs must convene the first meeting within 45 days after all appointments are made.
  • Reporting and follow-up: the commission must submit a detailed report with proposals, recommendations, and drafts of implementing legislation to the Senate and House clerks, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and the Governor within one year of establishment. The commission will monitor implementation of its recommendations after the report.

Timing and Status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Status: Accompanied by a new draft (H4669) as of November 5, 2025.
  • Legislative actions indicate referral to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery (February 27, 2025), with a hearing scheduled for July 28, 2025 (from the public schedule), and Senate concurrence noted in the action log.

Potential Impact

  • Creates a structured, intergovernmental and stakeholder-led process to map and enhance the continuum of SUD care.
  • May inform facility planning and regional capacity decisions to reduce gaps between detox, stabilization, housing, and outpatient treatment, including MAT.
  • Establishes a formal mechanism for drafting legislation to implement recommended changes, pending the 1-year study outcome.

Affected Parties

  • Individuals with substance use disorders seeking integrated care.
  • State agencies (MassHealth, DPH, DMH, Ins. Division) and the Governor’s office.
  • Health systems, addiction treatment providers, and ancillary services (housing, transportation).
  • Community organizations and advocacy groups listed in the bill’s membership roster.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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