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SD 754

An Act relative to fentanyl test strips

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Cynthia Creem

Massachusetts bill decriminalizes fentanyl test strips to enable overdose prevention without legal penalties for possession or distribution.

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Bill Summary · SD 754

Legislative bill overview

SD 754 amends Massachusetts law to decriminalize the possession and distribution of fentanyl test strips, which are small strips that detect the presence of fentanyl in substances. The bill removes barriers that currently classify these strips as drug paraphernalia, allowing them to be legally possessed, obtained, and distributed by harm reduction organizations and individuals without criminal penalty.

Why is this important

Fentanyl test strips are a low-cost harm reduction tool that can help prevent overdose deaths by allowing users to identify whether substances contain fentanyl before consumption. Massachusetts has experienced significant opioid-related mortality, and harm reduction advocates argue these strips are a straightforward public health measure. However, this represents a policy shift regarding what constitutes criminal paraphernalia versus public health equipment.

Potential points of contention

  • Interpretation of intent: Critics may argue that legalizing test strips implicitly condones or facilitates drug use, while proponents counter that harm reduction saves lives regardless of whether use continues
  • Law enforcement concerns: Some police organizations worry about blurred lines between paraphernalia laws and how officers distinguish between legitimate harm reduction and criminal facilitation
  • Effectiveness debate: Disagreement exists about whether test strips meaningfully reduce overdose risk or merely provide false security, and whether resources should focus on treatment access instead

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

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