| Chapter 417 |
| 2021 -- H 5281 SUBSTITUTE A Enacted 07/14/2021 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT |
Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Noret, Kazarian, Ackerman, and Azzinaro |
| Date Introduced: January 29, 2021 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Chapter 30-15 of the General Laws entitled "Emergency Management" is |
| hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
| 30-15-45. Essential mental health and substance use disorder services. |
| During any declared state or local disaster emergency pursuant to this chapter, mental |
| health and substance use disorder services provided by Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics |
| Anonymous, or other agencies that provide similar services to those seeking support for substance |
| use disorders shall be considered an essential health benefit and the services provided thereby shall |
| be permitted during the disaster emergency; provided, that adequate measures are implemented to |
| provide the services safely within whatever guidelines may be established to address the issues |
| relative to the declared disaster emergency. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC000807/SUB A/2 |
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