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H 4123

An Act relative to the distribution of opioid antagonists at correctional facilities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kate Donaghue and 2 co-sponsors

The bill requires correctional facilities to give each released inmate two doses of an opioid antagonist (e.g., naloxone) via a department-approved pharmacist or designee.

Accompanied H2606
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 4123

Summary: H 4123 — An Act relative to the distribution of opioid antagonists at correctional facilities

Overview

H 4123, introduced May 12, 2025, would amend Chapter 126 of the General Laws by adding a new Section 41 to govern the distribution of opioid antagonists (e.g., naloxone) at correctional facilities. The bill’s central purpose is to ensure that individuals who are about to be released from correctional settings have access to opioid antagonists to reduce the risk of overdose after release.

Key Provisions

  • New Section 41 (added to Chapter 126):
    • (a) Definitions:
    • “Department” means the Department of Correction (as established by chapter 27, section 1).
    • “Opioid antagonist” means naloxone or any other FDA-approved competitive narcotic antagonist used to reverse opioid overdoses.
    • “Pharmacist” means any pharmacist registered to dispense controlled substances in Massachusetts, and any other person authorized to dispense controlled substances under supervision of a registered pharmacist.
    • (b) Distribution at Release:
    • Every correctional facility, including county facilities, state prisons, jails, or houses of correction, must have a department-approved pharmacist or designee who distributes two doses of an opioid antagonist to an incarcerated individual at the moment they are directly released.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Incarcerated individuals who are about to be released from any correctional facility in Massachusetts would receive two doses of an opioid antagonist.
  • Correctional facilities and their associated pharmacists or designees would be responsible for distributing the doses.
  • The change identifies the Department of Correction as the administering framework for the distribution process, via an approved pharmacist or designee.

Legislative History and Status

  • Introduced / Filed: May 12, 2025 (House, No. 4123; accompanying H2606 mentioned)
  • Current Status: Accompanied by H2606 (companion/public-safety measure)
  • Committee Action: Referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security (May 12, 2025)
  • Hearing: Scheduled for June 26, 2025 (House hearing in A-2)
  • Related Actions: Senate concurrence noted on May 15, 2025
  • Related Bill: HD 3470 noted as related (the bill text shows HD 3470 as the House docket number 3470, which is the companion version)

Practical Implications

  • The bill codifies a standardized practice for overdose prevention by ensuring released individuals have immediate access to opioid antagonists.
  • Implementation hinges on facilities maintaining a department-approved pharmacist or designee, and on the logistics of providing two doses per departing inmate.
  • No funding or supply chain details are specified in the text provided; those logistics would be part of agency planning and any future appropriation discussions.

Note

This summary captures the bill’s core statutory change, definitions, and the release-dosage distribution requirement, along with the current legislative timeline and status.

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

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