WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 2727

An Act relative to overdose fatalities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tom Walsh

Requires police and fire to log daily overdose responses and share a centralized, confidential database for public-safety use; aims to improve follow-up and data-driven prevention, with privacy protections.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 2727

Summary: H.2727 An Act relative to overdose fatalities

Overview

H.2727, titled An Act relative to overdose fatalities, would amend Chapter 41 of the General Laws by adding a new Section 98I. The bill requires each city, town, or district police department and fire department to create a daily log of overdose-response calls and to centralize these logs in a shared database accessible to other local public-safety agencies. It was introduced on February 27, 2025, was reported favorably by a committee, and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. Legislative actions indicate ongoing hearings and consideration through 2025.

Key Provisions

  • Daily overdose-response logs (Section 98I(a))
    Each police and fire department must maintain a daily log for all responses to opiate overdose calls. The log must include:

    • Name of the person experiencing the overdose
    • The person’s home address
    • The address to which the department responded
    • Whether the overdose was fatal
      Logs are to be recorded in a central database and accessible to all city, town, and district police and fire departments.

  • Confidentiality and access (Section 98I(c))
    Daily logs are not public records. Information in the logs shall not be disclosed to the public. Access is limited to police and fire department personnel and used to monitor overdose responses and fatalities and to support updated information for overdose follow-up visits.

  • Follow-up procedures (Section 98I(d))
    Personnel conducting overdose follow-up visits must routinely check the centralized database for any updated information before conducting follow-up.

  • Regulatory framework (Section 98I(e))
    The Department of Public Safety and Security must solicit input from local police and fire departments and promulgate regulations governing the central database and information sharing. Regulations must comply with federal standards for protecting personal health information.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Public-safety agencies: All municipal police departments and fire departments would be required to create and maintain the daily overdose-response logs and to access the central database.
  • Individuals experiencing overdoses: Their names, home addresses, and response locations would be recorded (subject to confidentiality protections) to support public-safety responses and follow-ups.
  • Department of Public Safety and Security: Responsible for regulatory oversight and ensuring privacy protections align with federal health-information standards.

Privacy, Data Protections, and Implementation

  • Logs would not be public records; access restricted to public-safety personnel only.
  • Data would be used to monitor responses, fatalities, and to inform follow-up visits.
  • Regulations would be developed to protect personal health information, consistent with federal standards.

Legislative Timeline and Process

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Initial referral: Public Safety and Homeland Security
  • Committee action: Reported favorably by committee; referred to House Ways and Means
  • Hearing activity: Scheduled hearings in 2025 (e.g., July 24, 2025)
  • Related legislation: Similar matter filed in 2023-2024 as House Bill 2418; the current bill is identified as House Docket No. 1765

Why the Bill Matters

Proponents argue the measure would standardize and strengthen data collection on overdose incidents, improving follow-up care and strategic prevention efforts. Critics may raise privacy concerns and the need for robust data protections to prevent misuse. The bill signals an emphasis on data-driven overdose response and coordinated public-safety follow-ups.

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

Sign in to ask a question.