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S 1711

Relates to semi-annual expenditures and lobbying reports by certain public service utility corporations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Samra Brouk

Massachusetts facilities must offer and ensure access to evidence-based MAT for all detainees and incarcerated individuals, with 24-hour intake assessment and continuity of care.

REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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Bill Summary · S 1711

Summary — S.1711 (Senate Docket No. 1647)

Note on metadata: the materials provided contain conflicting metadata (references to a “STOP China Act,” federal sponsors, and committee referrals that appear inconsistent with the bill text). This summary is based on the bill text included in the materials — a Massachusetts state bill (filed Jan 16, 2025 / Senate Docket No. 1647) presented by Senator John F. Keenan — which amends chapter 127 to require consistent, evidence‑based medication treatment for substance and alcohol use disorders in state and county correctional facilities.

Purpose

To require statewide, consistent access to medication for addiction treatment (commonly called MAT) for people detained, committed, or incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons, jails, and houses of correction; to ensure continuity of care on admission, during incarceration, and on re‑entry; and to establish clinical and programmatic safeguards and standards.

Key provisions

  • Redefines “Medication for addiction treatment” (MAT) to mean treatment (1) clinically indicated by a qualified addiction specialist, (2) using FDA‑approved medications for substance use disorders, and (3) offered pursuant to a treatment plan reviewed by a qualified addiction specialist consistent with clinical standards.
  • Intake assessment: requires an assessment for MAT within 24 hours of admission to the facility, regardless of whether the person was receiving MAT prior to admission.
  • Access and provision:
    • All state and county correctional facilities, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, must offer MAT to detained, committed, or incarcerated persons when recommended by a qualified addiction specialist.
    • Facilities must have capacity to possess, dispense, administer, and secure MAT medications — but are not required to provide medications that are not MassHealth‑covered benefits.
  • Continuity of care:
    • Persons already receiving MAT immediately before custody must have continuation of that treatment “as soon as practicable,” and in any case within 24 hours of admission, unless the person voluntarily discontinues or a qualified addiction specialist clinically indicates otherwise.
    • Persons not previously on MAT but clinically indicated shall be offered MAT within 24 hours of the required assessment.
    • Dose and medication changes must be based on individual clinical need and made in consultation with the patient.
  • Protections and program rules:
    • A positive drug screen cannot be used to deny MAT, issue disciplinary infractions, or be grounds to discontinue MAT.
    • No incentives, rewards, or punishments may be used to encourage or discourage uptake or decline of MAT.
    • Facilities must ensure consistent, ongoing access to a qualified addiction specialist.
    • Behavioral health counseling must be part of treatment but cannot substitute for MAT; counseling should align with community therapeutic standards.
    • The Commissioner of Public Health may promulgate implementing regulations and guidelines.
  • Re‑entry planning (truncated in provided text but included):
    • Requires a medically appropriate re‑entry treatment plan established by a qualified addiction specialist not later than 120 days before expected discharge (or sooner if incarceration is shorter, but at least 30 days prior), including recommended post‑discharge treatments (including MAT).

Who is affected

  • Primary: detainees, committed persons, and incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts state prisons, county jails, and houses of correction.
  • Operational: Massachusetts Department of Correction, county sheriffs, correctional facility health staff, qualified addiction specialists, and community addiction service providers.
  • Fiscal/coverage: MassHealth (because facilities are not required to provide medications outside MassHealth coverage); potential budgetary impacts for correctional health services to implement dispensing, staffing, and re‑entry coordination.

Implementation timing and procedural details

  • Statutory time frames in the bill:
    • Assessment and availability: within 24 hours of admission.
    • Re‑entry plan: within 120 days before expected discharge, or at least 30 days before release if incarceration is shorter.
  • The Commissioner of Public Health is authorized to issue regulations to implement the program.
  • Filing/introductory details from the bill text: presented by Senator John F. Keenan, Senate Docket No. 1647, filed Jan 16, 2025. (Committee referral and other legislative‑process items in the provided materials are inconsistent; verify current status with the Massachusetts Legislature website.)

Notable limitations, exceptions, and open points

  • Facilities are not required to maintain or provide MAT medications that are not MassHealth covered benefits — this ties availability to the scope of MassHealth formularies.
  • The bill requires qualified addiction specialists for key clinical decisions; staffing availability in some facilities may affect implementation speed.
  • The provided text is truncated for the re‑entry section; full provisions (e.g., specific linkages to community providers, prescriptions at discharge, Medicaid/benefits enrollment support) should be confirmed in the complete bill.

If you want, I can (1) fetch the official full bill text and current legislative status from the Massachusetts Legislature site, or (2) produce a short briefing note capturing likely implementation costs and operational steps for county jails and state prisons. Which would you prefer?

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

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