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

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

Requires public schools to teach opioid and substance-use dangers and overdose reporting immunities, with evaluation and sharing of effective prevention practices.

Purpose and intent

This proposed Massachusetts bill seeks to strengthen public school substance use prevention by embedding explicit education on the dangers of addictive substances—particularly opioids—and by promoting awareness of immunity provisions designed to encourage overdose reporting. The overarching goal is to reduce overdose-related harm and abandonment by ensuring students receive clearer, consistent information and by fostering environments that support timely overdose reporting.

Key provisions

Amendment to existing policy requirements (Section 1): Inserts a new requirement into Section 96 of Chapter 71. Each public school must include in its substance use prevention policy:

Plans to educate and inform students about: 1) The dangers of addictive substance use in general, with particular emphasis on opioids and the consequences of use. 2) The immunities granted under section 34A of Chapter 94C to encourage reporting of overdoses.
The option for schools to use effective methods and models demonstrated by other districts.
The ability for schools to assess the effectiveness of their measures, share successful approaches with other districts, and collaborate with:
Department of Public Health (DPH)
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

Effective date (Section 2): The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Who is affected

Primary: Public schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including administrators, educators, and students, who would implement and benefit from enhanced prevention education.

Secondary: State agencies involved in public health and education (DPH and DESE), which would collaborate with school districts on best practices.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and status: The bill is a proposed measure in the Massachusetts General Court. The official text associated with House Docket No. 3012 shows it was filed on January 16, 2025 (House No. 562). The user-provided status date (November 29, 2025) appears to conflict with the bill’s filing date in the official docket.

Immediate effect: If enacted, the law would take effect immediately upon passage, with schools expected to implement the new policy components without delay.

Potential impact and considerations

Impact on prevention education: Clearer mandates for opioid- and substance-use education could standardize messaging across districts and reinforce the dangers of misuse.

Overdose reporting incentives: Emphasizing the immunities under 34A of 94C may encourage students, staff, and community members to seek help during overdoses without fear of penalties, potentially reducing fatal outcomes.

Implementation considerations: Schools may need to develop or adapt curricula, provide staff training, and establish mechanisms for evaluating and sharing effective practices—potentially requiring initial resources and coordination with DPH and DESE.

Measurement and oversight: The bill allows districts to assess effectiveness and disseminate successful approaches, suggesting a future emphasis on data collection and best-practice dissemination.

This summary captures the substantive content and potential impact based on the bill text. If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing Massachusetts law or provide a side-by-side of specific language changes.

Bill