Bill > S382

This bill requires public schools in Massachusetts to include comprehensive opioid use disorder education as part of their existing curriculum, specifically within health education classes. The education must cover five key areas: understanding opioids and how substance use disorder develops, identifying an opioid overdose, learning about naloxone (a medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose), destigmatizing naloxone possession, and explaining the state's medical amnesty laws that protect people who seek help during an overdose. The bill applies to all types of schools, including traditional public schools, charter schools, private day and residential schools, and collaborative schools. The state's department of education is authorized to seek federal, state, or other funding to support the implementation of these new educational standards. By mandating this education, the bill aims to increase awareness about opioid use disorder, provide practical knowledge about overdose response, and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use and addiction.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S382