Bill Text: MA H1948 | 2009-2010 | 186th General Court | Introduced

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Bill Title: Increasing public safety by increasing access to addiction treatment

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-08-30 - Accompanied a study order, see H05006 [H1948 Detail]

Download: Massachusetts-2009-H1948-Introduced.html

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Byron Rushing, Ruth B. Balser

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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 passage of the accompanying bill:

An Act increasing public safety by increasing access to addictio n treatment.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:	District/Address:
Byron Rushing	9th Suffolk
Ruth B. Balser	12th Middlesex
Kay Khan	11th Middlesex
Carlo P. Basile	1st Suffolk
Pam Richardson	6th Middlesex
Willie Mae Allen	6th Suffolk
Rosemary Sandlin	3rd Hampden
Gale D. Candaras	First Hampden and Hampshire
Benjamin Swan	11th Hampden
Elizabeth A. Malia	11th Suffolk
Patricia D. Jehlen	Second Middlesex
David B. Sullivan	6th Bristol
Steven J. D'Amico	4th Bristol
Tom Sannicandro	7th Middlesex
Mary E. Grant	6th Essex
Susan C. Fargo	Third Middlesex
Richard J. Ross	9th Norfolk
Steven A. Tolman	Second Suffolk and Middlesex
William N. Brownsberger	24th Middlesex
Jennifer M. Callahan	18th Worcester
Denise Provost	27th Middlesex
Cleon H. Turner	1st Barnstable
Ellen Story	3rd Hampshire
Sean Garballey	23rd Middlesex
Gloria L. Fox	7th Suffolk

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1897 OF 2007-2008.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
 

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In the Year Two Thousand and Nine

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An Act increasing public safety by increasing access to addiction treatment.


 

              Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 111E of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby

amended in section 5 by adding, after line 34, the following:—

The director shall establish a program of assistance for the treatment of all substance dependent persons who are not otherwise eligibl e for assistance under any other program and who lack private health insurance coverage or have health insurance coverage which does not cover all necessary treatment covered by this chapter. The department shall furnish such medical assistance to each suc h substance dependent person residing in the commonwealth in accordance with standards of eligibility established by the department.

The department shall ensure that all substance dependent persons who appear to be eligible for assistance under this or an y other chapter are assisted in enrolling for such treatments.

The director shall promulgate and, from time to time, amend regulations detailing eligibility criteria, services to be covered in conformity with appropriate standards of care, and reimbursemen t policies.

The department shall conduct annual reports detailing the effectiveness and financial impact of the programs that are funded pursuant to the requirements of this act, and submit those studies to the Legislature no later than one year from the date the programs are implemented. The evaluation studies shall include, but not be limited to, a study of the implementation process, a review of lower incarcerations costs, reductions in crime, reduced prison and jail construction, reduced welfare costs, reduced public safety costs, reduced health care costs, reduced costs of homelessness services, the adequacy of funds appropriated, treatment measures on completion rates and quality of life indicators, such as alcohol and drug used, employment, health, m ental health, and family and social supports and, other impacts or issues the department can identify.

In addition to studies to evaluate the effectiveness and financial impact of the programs that are funded pursuant to the requirements of this act, the department shall produce an annual report detailing the number and characteristics of participants served as a result of this act.