December 02, 2009
December 2009
As the beginning of a new legislative session in January 2010 draws near the General Court is wrapping up its work from the 2009 session (retained bills and study committees). We have begun our work for the 2010 session by keeping close watch on the on the list of 2010 Legislative Service Requests (LSRs), which provides the title and prime sponsor for bills that will be introduced in 2010. Those bills will begin to be available on December 10.
2009 Legislative Session
- HB 410 (relative to the licensing of alcohol and drug counselors). This bill was retained in the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee which worked on it diligently over the summer in search of a compromise that would permit appropriately qualified MLADCs (Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors) to provide treatment to individuals with co – occurring mental illness and substance use disorder. The committee voted 17 – 0 to recommend HB 410 ought to pass with amendment. The bill is scheduled to go to the full House for a vote on January 6, 2010. New Futures supports the committee recommendation.
- HB 2 Study Committee on the proposed transfer of the Liquor Commission Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement to the Department of Safety. It appears that the majority of the committee supports leaving the bureau within the Liquor Commission. The study committee plans to finalize its report by December 4th.
2010 Legislative Session
- At New Futures’ request, legislation will be introduced in the Senate to assist in efforts to identify strategies to better leverage available state funds to expand access to treatment.
- As noted above, we are keeping close track of LSR titles. After review of the actual text of all relevant bills, we will provide a detailed summary of 2010 legislation of interest in January.