In its June 14 formal session, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a wide-ranging opioid bill that covers the licensure of recovery coaches, makes opioid overdose reversal drugs more accessible, protects harm reduction providers, and removes barriers that new mothers in recovery face at the time they give birth.
Also, in its formal session the Senate voted to pass H.4744, An Act to prevent abuse and exploitation, criminalizing the non-consensual sharing of explicit images known as “revenge porn.” The legislation will create a diversion program for teens who share explicit images, statutorily define coercive control as an element of domestic abuse, and extend the statute of limitations to pursue criminal charges for certain domestic violence offenses from six years to 15 years. It now goes to the Governor for her signature.
The Massachusetts Legislature also approved a state sales tax holiday weekend August 10 and 11. On those days, the Massachusetts sales tax of 6.25% will be suspended for most items that retail for less than $2,500.
