Bill > H3796

This bill amends Massachusetts law to require healthcare providers to conduct additional assessments and obtain written informed consent from patients, and their parents or legal guardians if the patient is a minor, prior to prescribing certain medications. The key provisions include: 1. Defining "benzodiazepines" and "non-benzodiazepine hypnotics" as specific types of medications primarily used to treat conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and muscle relaxation. 2. Requiring providers to review the patient's medical history, assess alternative treatments, and discuss the risks of addiction, overdose, and long-term use before prescribing benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, or extended-release long-acting opioids for the first time. 3. Mandating providers to obtain the patient's (and their parent/guardian's, if a minor) written informed consent before issuing these prescriptions for the first time. 4. Requiring an additional review and consent process before issuing a third prescription for opioid medications. The goal of this bill is to improve patient awareness and safety when being prescribed potentially addictive or high-risk medications.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3796