Massachusetts § 17C - Re-entry treatment plan for state detainee or prisoner requiring treatment for opioid use disorder
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 17C — Re-entry treatment plan for state detainee or prisoner requiring treatment for opioid use disorder, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 17C. Re-entry treatment plan for state detainee or prisoner requiring treatment for opioid use disorder
Section 17C. The commissioner shall ensure that, not later than 120 days prior to the expected discharge date of a state detainee or prisoner serving a sentence to a state prison, a state detainee or prisoner shall have access to a qualified addiction specialist who shall conduct an assessment of the state detainee or prisoner. Upon a determination by the qualified addiction specialist that the state detainee or prisoner requires treatment for opioid use disorder, the qualified addiction specialist shall establish a medically appropriate re-entry treatment plan for the state detainee or prisoner, which may include, but shall not be limited to, medication-assisted treatment during the final 90 days of incarceration; provided, however, that if medication-assisted treatment is included in a re-entry treatment plan, such treatment plan shall be provided to the state detainee or prisoner at a facility included in section 17B. A re-entry treatment plan may include any treatment upon discharge that the qualified addiction specialist shall recommend and deem appropriate, which may include, but shall not be limited to, all drugs approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for use in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. A re-entry treatment plan shall ensure that a state detainee or prisoner is directly connected to an appropriate provider or treatment site in the geographic region to which the state detainee or prisoner shall reside upon release. The commissioner shall further ensure that, for a state detainee or prisoner with a re-entry treatment plan under this section, the facility shall request reinstatement or apply for MassHealth benefits for the state detainee or prisoner at least 30 days prior to release.
The re-entry treatment plan shall be forwarded to the parole board and may be incorporated into any treatment plan included within the terms and conditions of parole.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 17C
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 17C cover?
Section 17C ("Re-entry treatment plan for state detainee or prisoner requiring treatment for opioid use disorder") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 17C?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 17C" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 17C apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.