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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 895 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1275
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
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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 establishing a commission to study the availability of a continuum of care for persons.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :John C. VelisHampden and Hampshire 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 895 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1275
By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1275) of John C. Velis for legislation
establishing a commission to study the availability of a continuum of care for persons with
substance use disorder. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1316 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 establishing a commission to study the availability of a continuum of care for persons.
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. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a
2commission established pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws to study the
3availability of a continuum of care for persons with substance use disorder. The commission
4shall: (i) review the availability of detoxification services, clinical stabilization services,
5transitional support services, emergency care services, residential recovery home services, and
6outpatient treatment including medication assisted treatment and (ii) make an assessment of what
7the appropriate capacity should be for each level of care to allow individuals to efficiently access
8each level of care as clinically necessary.
9 The commission shall consist of: the house and senate chairs of the committee on mental
10health, substance use and recovery, who shall serve as co-chairs; a member appointed by the 2 of 2
11speaker of the house of representatives; a member appointed by the senate president; the
12minority leader of the house, or a designee; the minority leader of the senate, or a designee; the
13secretary of the office of health and human services, or a designee; the assistant secretary for
14Masshealth; the commissioner of the department of public health, or a designee; the
15commissioner of the department of mental health, or a designee; the commissioner of the
16division of insurance, or a designee; and one from each of the following: Association for
17Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.; Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery; the
18Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association; the Massachusetts Medical Society; Recovery
19Homes Collaborative; Learn to Cope; the Grayken Center; the Massachusetts Association of
20Health Plans; and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
21 Annually, not later than March 1, the commission shall file a report with the house and
22senate clerks on its activities and any recommendations. The commission shall monitor the
23implementation of its recommendations.