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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 638 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1255
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Edward J. Kennedy
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to enhance patient education and informed consent before issuance of opioids.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Edward J. KennedyFirst Middlesex 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 638 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1255
By Mr. Kennedy, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1255) of Edward J. Kennedy for
legislation to enhance patient education and informed consent before issuance of opioids.
Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1299 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act to enhance patient education and informed consent before issuance of opioids.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. MGL 94C sec 18A (b) of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding,
2in the first sentence after the word “department” the following: and the agreement shall also
3address alternative forms of care that could be used instead of opioids, specifically including
4chiropractic. The department shall consult with the Massachusetts Chiropractic Society in
5developing those guidelines, in order to insure that those guidelines are consistent with CDC
6guidelines and include the recommendation of CDC that nonpharmacological therapy and non-
7opioid pharmacologic therapy are preferred for chronic pain including chiropractic.
8 SECTION 2. MGL 94C Sec 18C of the General Laws is hereby amended by deleting
9subsection (ii) and adding in its place the following “(ii) inform the patient of the risks, including
10the percentage of risk of addiction as set forth by the Center for Disease Control, and the 2 of 2
11expected benefits associated with the opioid prescribed and the risks and benefits of non-opioid
12and non-pharmacologic therapies, including chiropractic.”