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H 562

An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kate Donaghue and 3 co-sponsors

Public schools must adopt or revise substance use prevention policies to educate students on opioid risks and the immunity to encourage overdose reporting, with cross-district coll

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 562

Summary of H.562 (An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment)

Overview

  • Bill Number: H.562
  • Title: An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment
  • Purpose: To strengthen substance use prevention education in public schools and to encourage overdose reporting by clarifying and promoting immunities available under existing law.
  • Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Legislative actions (highlights):
    • February 27, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Education
    • September 2, 2025: Hearing scheduled (Gardner Auditorium)
    • November 17, 2025: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means
    • Senate concurrence noted in official materials
  • Related bill: HD 3012 (replaces)

Key provisions

  • Section amended: Section 96 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws
  • Core requirement added to public schools’ substance use prevention policy: 1) Plans to educate and inform students about:
    • The dangers of addictive substance use in general, with particular emphasis on opioids and the potential consequences of opioid use.
    • The immunities granted under section 34A of chapter 94C to encourage overdose reporting. 2) Schools may use effective methods from successful models used in other districts.
  • Collaboration and sharing:
    • Schools may assess the effectiveness of their education measures.
    • Schools may share successful approaches with other districts.
    • Schools may work to improve substance use education in collaboration with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
  • Implementation date:
    • The act is stated to go into effect immediately upon passage.

What would be affected

  • Affected entities:
    • Public school districts and individual public schools in Massachusetts (K-12)
    • Students in public schools
    • School administrators and educators responsible for substance use education policies
    • Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for collaboration and guidance
  • Practical impact:
    • Schools would need to revise or adopt a substance use prevention policy that explicitly includes the two focus areas noted above.
    • Districts may pilot or adopt proven education methods from other districts.
    • Districts would have latitude to evaluate and share effective practices, potentially creating a broader network of best practices.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Immediate effect: The act provides for an immediate effective date upon passage.
  • Legislative process: As of the latest updates, the bill has been reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means, moving toward potential fiscal considerations and final floor action.
  • Public engagement: A scheduled hearing in September 2025 indicates ongoing committee review and potential amendments.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Educational impact: Enhances substance use prevention education with a clear focus on opioids and the legal protections designed to encourage overdose reporting.
  • Public health alignment: Encourages coordination between DESE and DPH, leveraging cross-agency expertise.
  • Operational considerations: School districts may need to allocate time and resources to develop or update policies, assess effectiveness, and participate in information-sharing networks.
  • Immunity context: Links preventionEducation to the state’s overdose reporting immunities (34A of 94C), reinforcing a harm-reduction approach.

If you’d like, I can add a brief glossary of key terms (e.g., “34A immunity”) or provide a sample district policy outline that aligns with the bill’s requirements.

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

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