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SD 2452

An Act to strengthen the Commonwealth's strategic preparedness stockpiles

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Driscoll

Creates a permanent, data-driven emergency stockpile of PPE, medicines, and tests for healthcare, schools, and the public, with ongoing planning, reporting, and funding.

Referred to the committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management
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Bill Summary · SD 2452

Summary of Senate Bill SD 2452: An Act to strengthen the Commonwealth's strategic preparedness stockpiles

Status: Referred to the Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Management
Introduced: February 27, 2025
Bill type: Proposed Massachusetts statute (amendment to Chapter 111)
House companion: Similar matter previously filed as House No. 732 (2023-2024)

Purpose and core objective

SD 2452 seeks to create and sustain a permanent emergency stockpile of strategic readiness supplies to be used during public health emergencies at local, state, and national levels. The act places the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and other stakeholders, in charge of developing, maintaining, and updating stockpiles of essential items such as PPE, medications, and testing kits, among other items deemed important by the agencies.

Key provisions

  • Establishment of stockpiles (Section 5T(a))

    • Creation of a permanent emergency stockpile for strategic readiness supplies, including PPE, medications, testing kits, and other prioritized items chosen by DPH and MEMA.

  • Demand planning, stockpile modeling (Section 5T(b))

    • Three separate stockpiles to be planned and modeled: 1) Healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, ERs, etc.) 2) Education settings (public/private pre-K–12, higher education, etc.) 3) General public during major disasters
    • For each stockpile, the department must develop:
    • Types of supplies to include
    • Anticipated demand across multiple emergency scenarios
    • Quantities to hold
    • Estimated procurement and maintenance costs
    • Inventory rotation strategies to prevent expiry
    • Access mechanisms for municipalities and schools during emergencies
    • Distribution planning, including dispensing sites and mobile programs
    • Cost-reduction strategies (e.g., vendor-managed inventory)

  • Reporting and reassessment (Section 5T(b))

    • Initial report due at least one year after enactment to leadership and chairs of key committees.
    • Every two years thereafter, formal reassessment of scenario planning, demand planning, and stockpile modeling; adjustments or reaffirmation as needed.

  • Ongoing reporting (Section 5T(c))

    • Quarterly reports to the Speaker, Senate President, Ways and Means, Public Health, and COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management committees on current stockpile levels and funds.

  • Funding strategy (Section 5T(d))

    • Authority and obligation to pursue and maximize both federal and state funding for the stockpiles.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security.
  • Partners: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (and other stakeholders as needed), municipalities, school districts, healthcare facilities, and emergency response planners.
  • Beneficiaries: The general public, healthcare providers, and educational institutions in the event of public health emergencies.

Timing and process

  • Enactment would establish the framework; initial multi-sector demand planning and stockpile modeling would follow.
  • A report outlining findings and recommendations is due one year post-enactment; biannual reassessments accompany ongoing quarterly reporting.
  • The bill emphasizes leveraging available funding opportunities and maintaining readiness through regular updates and stakeholder collaboration.

Overall impact

If enacted, the bill would formalize a structured, data-driven approach to stockpiling and distributing emergency supplies, create dedicated governance and reporting cycles, and expand access to essential materials across healthcare, education, and the general public during public health emergencies.

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

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