Bill > S2049

This bill establishes a program within adult correctional institutions to provide medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), which refers to the use of FDA-approved prescription medications to treat opioid addiction, to any incarcerated individual. Within 24 hours of being admitted to an adult correctional institution, every inmate will be screened for opioid use disorder, and if diagnosed, will be offered voluntary placement in the MOUD program. This program will include individualized treatment plans, counseling, and appropriate medication regimens determined by qualified healthcare professionals, and will continue for the duration of the inmate's incarceration. The bill also outlines provisions for inmates already on MOUD prescriptions, prohibits denial or disciplinary action based on drug screenings related to program entry, and mandates a re-entry strategy to support continued recovery upon release, including providing information on treatment facilities, housing, and employment resources, and ensuring parole officers are informed about the inmate's participation to prevent medication from being considered illicit. Furthermore, if a practitioner decides to discontinue an inmate's pre-incarceration MOUD, they must document the reason, explain it to the inmate, and notify the inmate's community prescriber with their authorization. The Department of Corrections will be required to report annually on the program's effectiveness, including its impact on disciplinary incidents, re-entry rates, institutional safety, and any recommendations for improvement, with the program set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Justice

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