Bill > H2235

This bill amends Chapter 111 of the Massachusetts General Laws to establish a new section (Section 51 3/4) regarding the prescribing or dispensing of pain medication in emergency room settings to individuals on probation. The key provisions are: 1) "Pain medication" is defined to include opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other prescription pain medications; 2) Treating clinicians must ask patients presenting in the emergency room whether they are on probation and required to undergo drug testing, and if so, administer a urinalysis drug test before prescribing or dispensing pain medication; 3) If the patient tests positive, the clinician must inform the probation department of the patient's name, responses to the questions, drug test results, and any pain medication prescribed; and 4) This process does not affect the clinician's diagnosis and treatment of the patient, including the prescribing of necessary pain medication.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H2235