Bill
S 432
Massachusetts S.432 would require K-12 public schools to teach prescription opioid abuse prevention, linking the epidemic to addiction to other drugs like heroin.
Note on source materials
- The materials provided contain inconsistent metadata (titles referencing Yonkers mortgage tax and Fort Ontario National Historical Park) and a mixture of sponsors from different jurisdictions. The operative legislative text and docket information indicate this is Massachusetts Senate Bill No. 432 (filed 1/17/2025 / introduced 2/5/2025) proposing an amendment to Chapter 71 (education law) to add prescription opioid abuse prevention to required school instruction. This summary focuses on that text.
Bill purpose
- To require public school instruction in Massachusetts to include prescription opioid abuse prevention as an instructional topic, emphasizing the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs (for example, heroin).
Key provision (text-level change)
- Amends Section 1 of Chapter 71 of the Massachusetts General Laws by inserting, immediately after the word “violence” (line 22), the following language:
“, prescription opioid abuse prevention, with an emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs, such as heroin,”
What this does
- Expands the list of subjects public schools are required (or authorized—depending on Chapter 71 interpretation) to provide instruction on to explicitly include prescription opioid abuse prevention.
- Emphasizes both the broader “prescription drug epidemic” and the specific link between prescription opioid misuse and progression to other substance use (e.g., heroin).
Who is affected
- Public school students in Massachusetts (K–12), school districts, curriculum planners, and teachers.
- State education authorities (e.g., Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) would likely be involved in guidance, materials, and implementation, though the bill text does not specify implementation mechanics or funding.
- Parents and communities may be affected by changes to health education content.
Implementation and fiscal impacts
- The bill text itself does not specify grade levels, curriculum standards, teacher training requirements, assessment, or funding. Those implementation details would need to be provided via regulations, guidance, or follow‑on legislation and appropriations.
- Potential costs (development of materials, teacher training) are not itemized in the bill.
Legislative status and timeline (from provided actions)
- Filed in Senate: 1/17/2025 (Senate Docket No. 2460); introduced 2/5/2025.
- Referred to Committee on Education (and appears to have been read/referred in other committees per record).
- Hearing scheduled: 09/16/2025, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Gardner Auditorium (per docket).
- Advanced to third reading (records show activity in April–May 2025).
- SUBSTITUTED BY A5329 on 05/27/2025 — S.432 was replaced by companion Assembly bill A.5329 (further action to be tracked under the substitute bill).
Sponsors and related bills
- Provided sponsor list includes names from several jurisdictions and appears inconsistent with a Massachusetts Senate bill; verify sponsors from official Massachusetts legislative records.
- Related/companion identifiers listed: A.5329 (substitute/companion), HR 1031 (companion), SD 2460 (docket reference).
Bottom line
- S.432 is a brief statutory amendment to require that Massachusetts public school instruction include prescription opioid abuse prevention with emphasis on the prescription drug epidemic and links to other drug addiction. Implementation specifics and funding are not included in the text; the bill has been substituted by A.5329, so further movement and final language should be followed under that bill number.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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