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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 412 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1416
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Patrick M. O'Connor
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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 increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 412 FILED ON: 1/13/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1416
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1416) of Patrick M. O'Connor for
legislation to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose
abandonment. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1265 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to increase substance use prevention and awareness and reduce overdose abandonment.
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. Section 96 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by
2inserting after the second paragraph the following:-
3 Each public school’s substance use prevention policy shall include plans to educate and
4inform students with particular attention to:
5 (1) the dangers of addictive substance use generally, and especially of opioids, and the
6repercussions thereof, and
7 (2) the immunities granted under section 34A of chapter 94C of the general laws to
8encourage the reporting of overdoses. 2 of 2
9 Schools may employ useful methods based on successful models used in other districts.
10Schools may assess the effectiveness of their measures, share successful approaches with others,
11and work for more effective substance use education in collaboration with the department of
12public health and the department of elementary and secondary education.
13 SECTION 2. This act shall go into effect immediately upon its passage.