Gov. Baker signs bill expanding addiction support and prevention

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has signed a bill aimed at helping curb the state's opioid addiction crisis.

The Republican said Tuesday the new law builds on an earlier law by holding providers more accountable for the painkiller prescriptions they write and by taking stronger steps to intervene earlier in a person's life.

"i’ve come to believe with opioid addiction, you got to find some way to help people stay in the game and stay clean," Baker said. "Creating a credential frame work and make it possible, this is a huge part in how we ultimately win this fight."

Under the new law, hospital staff is required to either admit a patient battling opioid addiction into an inpatient service or provide a referral to an internal or community-based treatment program when the patient expresses interest.

The law creates a commission to make recommendations about the credentialing of recovery coaches, who help those trying to remain drug-free. It also requires all prescribers to convert to electronic prescriptions by 2020.

The law won bipartisan support in the Massachusetts House and Senate.

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Associated Press