Bill
HD 4017
Massachusetts launches a five-site, nonprofit psilocybin treatment pilot with licensed centers, strong safety rules, and protections, collecting data on outcomes, access, and costs.
Status: Introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court (date shown as November 29, 2025)
Purpose
- Establish a five-site, nonprofit pilot program to provide psilocybin-assisted treatment for mental and physical health needs in Massachusetts.
- Create a regulatory framework and oversight to pilot therapeutic use of psilocybin within a controlled, clinical setting.
Key Provisions
Pilot Program and Locations
- Creates a 5-site pilot program with locations in:
- Western Massachusetts
- Central Massachusetts
- North Shore
- South Shore
- Metro Boston
- Centers are nonprofit therapeutic psilocybin centers offering psilocybin treatment.
Regulation, Licensure, and Oversight
- The Department of Public Health (DPH), in consultation with an advisory board, shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to operate a therapeutic psilocybin center, including licensure processes.
- Eligible applicants for licensure:
- Entities run by medical professionals, psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists who are properly trained facilitators with psilocybin experience, or who obtain psilocybin-related training.
- Local approval:
- Approval from the local board of health is required before an entity may apply for licensure.
- Application timing:
- DPH must notify the applicant and local board of health in writing within 45 days of a completed application, indicating approval or denial.
- A denial of licensure does not bar future applications.
- Minimum licensure requirements (summary):
- Suitable treatment space supervised by a medical professional.
- Adequate staffing of medical and mental health professionals with psilocybin training.
- Education for participants about psilocybin treatment.
- Monitoring of participants with first aid readiness.
- Access to or referrals for additional mental health services.
- Staff trainings on psilocybin treatment (or access to required trainings offered by DPH).
- Security and safety procedures developed with local law enforcement.
- Policies to communicate with local businesses, community members, law enforcement, and first responders.
- Affordable pricing structures to ensure access.
Immunity and Protections
- Individuals involved with a licensed therapeutic psilocybin center (participants, staff, property owners, center operators) shall not be arrested, charged, or prosecuted for criminal offenses or subject to certain penalties solely for participation or involvement in the center.
- Entering or exiting a licensed center cannot be used to establish reasonable suspicion or probable cause for searches.
Reporting and Data
- DPH must report site-specific and aggregate data to the clerks and committee chairs, including:
- Number of participant visits
- Referrals to additional mental health treatment
- Number of patients requiring further mental health treatment after psilocybin
- Financial reports
- Any adverse events related to treatment
- Initial report due no later than 18 months after pilot implementation; annual reports to follow.
Regulation Timeline and Advisory Board
- DPH to promulgate regulations implementing Section 1 within 1 year of the act’s effective date.
- Advisory board composition for rulemaking includes: medical and mental health professionals, veterans and individuals with lived psilocybin experience, psilocybin session facilitators, and psilocybin researchers.
Impact and Considerations
- Supports controlled, nonprofit access to psilocybin-assisted treatment within a regulated pilot framework.
- Aims to gather data on utilization, safety, affordability, and treatment outcomes.
- Establishes legal protections for participants and staff within the pilot, while requiring local approvals and regulatory compliance.
- Creates a structured regulatory path, with phased rules within one year and ongoing oversight through reporting.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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