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S1117 • 2025

An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

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The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Cindy F. Friedman
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration

An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration By Ms.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration By Ms.
  • Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No.
  • 1117) of Cindy F.
  • Friedman, Michael J.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 Senate

    Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means

  2. 2025-11-18 Joint

    Hearing rescheduled to 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-08:00 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time

  3. 2025-11-07 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

  5. 2025-02-27 House

    House concurred

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to treatment, not incarceration
By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1117) of Cindy F. Friedman, Michael J. Barrett, Russell E. Holmes, John F. Keenan and others for legislation relative to treatment, not incarceration. The Judiciary.
Status:
Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
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Bill S.1117

Section 87A of chapter 276 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following paragraphs:-

Upon motion by a person who has been ordered to submit to drug or alcohol testing or to refrain from the use of alcohol or a controlled substance as a condition of probation, the court shall consider whether the person has an alcohol or substance use disorder and needs treatment.

If the person attests to having or is determined to have an alcohol or substance use disorder, the person shall be ordered to engage in a treatment plan or protocol: (i) with a mental health clinic or alcohol or substance use disorder program licensed by the department of public health under chapters 17, 111, 111B, or 111E; (ii) with a behavioral, alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, or mental health professional who is licensed under chapters 111J and 112 and accredited or certified to provide services consistent with law; (iii) with a primary care provider or mental health care provider prescribing medication for alcohol or substance use disorder; or (iv) that aligns with evidence-based practices described in the American Society of Addiction Medicine or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. If the person is engaged in such treatment plan or protocol, the court shall not modify such treatment plan or protocol or require the person to submit to additional drug or alcohol testing that is not required by the treatment plan or protocol.

A positive drug or alcohol test or other indicator of relapse shall not be considered a violation of the conditions of probation if the person: (i) is engaged in a treatment plan or protocol; (ii) is making reasonable efforts to receive treatment; (iii) is switching treatment plans or protocols voluntarily or at the direction of a treatment provider; (iv) is discharged from a treatment plan or protocol and transitioning into new a treatment plan or protocol; or (v) has completed a treatment plan or protocol and remains in compliance with all other conditions of probation.

If a person who has completed a treatment plan or protocol and remains subject to conditions of probation tests positive for drugs or alcohol or exhibits any other indicator of relapse, the person may again move the court to consider the person’s treatment needs and, if necessary, the court may order further treatment consistent with this section.

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