HB 7395 Summary

• Commissioner of Correction must provide information and counseling on opioid use disorder treatment options to inmates with or at risk of opioid use disorder at least 45 days before release, effective October 1, 2019.

• Department of Correction shall establish a medication-assisted treatment program in correctional facilities by January 1, 2020, with phased expansion: at least 5 facilities in year one, 30% of all inmates with access in year two, 60% in year three, and 100% by year four and thereafter.

• Participating facilities must enable qualified staff to dispense and administer all FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder treatment and prioritize placement of inmates already receiving such treatment before incarceration.

• Inmates receiving medication-assisted treatment prior to incarceration must continue treatment while incarcerated unless they voluntarily discontinue or a licensed health care provider determines treatment is no longer appropriate.

• Commissioner must report annually to the Governor and legislative committees from November 1, 2020, through November 1, 2024, detailing program costs, expansion projections, facility practice changes, medication types and prevalence, and inmate treatment statistics.