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Bill

H 4882

An Act to support college students in recovery

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kate Donaghue and 5 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill creates on-campus recovery support services, housing, and peer programs for college students managing substance use disorder recovery.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4882

Legislative bill overview

H 4882 establishes support services and infrastructure for college students in recovery from substance use disorders at Massachusetts institutions of higher education. The bill creates dedicated resources, housing options, peer support programs, and recovery-focused services on campuses. This represents a targeted public health intervention addressing the growing population of students managing addiction recovery while pursuing degrees.

Why is this important

College students in recovery face unique challenges balancing academic demands with maintaining sobriety, yet most campuses lack specialized support systems. This bill addresses a genuine gap in student services that could improve completion rates, mental health outcomes, and long-term recovery success for a vulnerable population. The policy recognizes that recovery support is both a public health and educational equity issue.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms and costs: Implementation requires significant institutional investment in housing, staff, and programming; unclear how this will be funded across diverse campus systems with varying budgets
  • Definition and scope of "recovery": Determining which substances qualify, how to verify recovery status, and whether support extends to students in active treatment versus established sobriety could create eligibility disputes
  • Privacy and stigma concerns: Dedicated recovery housing and services could inadvertently isolate students or compromise confidentiality despite good intentions, requiring careful program design

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

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