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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2315 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1417
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 establishing a special commission to study the prevention of heroin trafficking.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2315 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1417
By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1417) of Patrick M. O'Connor for
legislation to establish a special commission to study the prevention of heroin trafficking.
Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1264 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 establishing a special commission to study the prevention of heroin trafficking.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Notwithstanding any special or general law there shall be a special commission to study
2the trafficking of heroin into and within the Commonwealth to develop recommendations on
3actions to prevent such trafficking in the future including, but not limited to legislative
4recommendations and policing recommendations.
5 The special commission shall consist of: the secretary of health and human services, or
6their designee; three members to be appointed by the governor, which shall include: one person
7who is a police officer specializing in opiates, one person who is a stakeholder within a retail
8pharmacy company, and one member of the general citizenry impacted by the opiate epidemic;
9two members of the House of Representatives, one of whom to be appointed by the Speaker of
10the House of Representatives, and the other to be appointed by the minority leader; two members 2 of 2
11of the Senate, one of whom to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and the other to be
12appointed by the minority leader; the director of the bureau of substance abuse services or their
13designee; provided, however, that the first meeting of the commission shall take place not later
14than December 1, 2025.
15 The special commission shall submit its recommendations, together with drafts of any
16legislation, to the clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the chairs of the joint
17committee on mental health and substance abuse not later than December 1, 2026.