STEM Education Day

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terry Alexander and 121 co-sponsors

Massachusetts urges Congress to update DATA 2000 and remove the X-waiver training to prescribe buprenorphine, expanding access to treatment for opioid use disorder.

Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence

Purpose / intent

H 3827 is a Massachusetts concurrent resolution, introduced by Representative Bruce J. Ayers, that urges the United States Congress to amend the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) to remove what the resolution calls “excessive training requirements” (the DEA “X‑waiver” and related training/exam) needed for clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. The resolution frames this change as a step to expand access to medically assisted treatment (MAT) in response to the opioid overdose epidemic.

Key provisions

Officially requests that the U.S. Congress update DATA 2000 to eliminate or reduce the special training, exam, and separate “X” Registration currently required for clinicians to prescribe buprenorphine.

Calls for the Clerk of the Massachusetts House to forward copies of the resolution to the Vice‑President of the United States, the Speaker of the U.S. House, and members of Massachusetts’ Congressional delegation.

Note: as a concurrent resolution, H 3827 does not change federal law; it expresses the position of the Massachusetts General Court and seeks to influence federal legislative action.

Background cited in the text

Describes the U.S. opioid epidemic: HHS declared a public health emergency in 2017; cites 2016–2017 data of >2.1 million people with opioid use disorder and ~42,249 opioid overdose deaths; cites NIDA estimate of >130 opioid overdose deaths per day.

Describes buprenorphine (including Suboxone) as an effective MAT medication and as a Schedule III controlled substance.

Notes that DATA 2000 requires an 8‑hour training and exam plus a special DEA “X” license for buprenorphine prescribing while other Schedule III drugs may be prescribed under a standard DEA registration without special training.

Who would be affected

Patients with opioid use disorder (potential increased access to buprenorphine if Congress acts).

Clinicians and prescribers (would change federal training/license obligations if Congress amends DATA 2000).

Federal regulators (DEA, HHS) and state public‑health systems involved in addiction treatment delivery.

Procedural / timeline information (as provided)

Filed: 01/15/2025 (House docket no. 2158)

Presented / Introduced and adopted by the House: 01/29/2025 (returned with concurrence)

Referred to Veterans and Federal Affairs committee: 02/27/2025

Senate concurred: 02/27/2025

Hearing activity listed for 11/13/2025 (scheduling/rescheduling entries)

Sponsor: Rep. Bruce J. Ayers

Related: HD 2158 (replaces)

Note: the document provided also contains text from an unrelated South Carolina concurrent resolution declaring April 2, 2025 as “STEM Education Day.” That portion appears to be extraneous and is not part of the Massachusetts H 3827 resolution.

Practical effect

If H 3827 is adopted, it serves as an official state-level appeal urging Congress to change federal law to lower barriers to buprenorphine prescribing. The resolution itself does not alter federal regulation or prescribing authority; any change would require Congressional and federal regulatory action.

Bill