This legislation will allow judges to order a person to get help for an addiction, but prohibit courts from sending a person to jail just for relapsing, if they are otherwise engaged in treatment. It is both unsafe and unjust to require a person suffering from addiction to remain relapse-free as a condition of release or else face jail.
Treatment, Not Imprisonment
Sponsors
Sen. Friedman and Rep. Balser
Bill number
S.937/H.1343
Related content
![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/aclu_of_massachusetts_responds_to_supreme_court_decision_in_grants_pass_v._johnson.png?itok=f6Y87aII)
ACLU of Massachusetts responds to Supreme Court decision in Grants...
June 28, 2024![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/recover_is_real_opc.jpg?itok=pjf37zFU)
Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers comment on new VT law...
June 18, 2024![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/international_overdose_awareness_day_2.png?itok=8rVlzUDJ)
Labor unions in Massachusetts join MA4OPC Coalition to support...
April 4, 2024![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_share_image/ma_state_house.png?itok=YlLgUbvh)
ACLU of Massachusetts comment on Governor’s Council approval of...
April 3, 2024![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/us_court_room.png?itok=dbTAyBO3)
ACLU of Massachusetts v. Bristol District Attorney’s Office
March 26, 2024![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/meta_tag_graham.png?itok=3OyVBRlb)
Supreme Judicial Court rules that Hampden DA withheld exculpatory...
January 23, 2024![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/stethoscope-engraved15-darkgreen-lightblue.png?itok=iENuClz4)
New study: Massachusetts officials recognize overdose prevention...
December 13, 2023![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_share_image/boston_city_hall_0.png?itok=u_ilz5mc)
Statement of the ACLU of Massachusetts on new “Mass. and Cass”...
October 25, 2023![](https://www.aclum.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_130x110/public/field_image/screenshot_2023-06-22_at_4.20.40_pm.png?itok=k31lvsBB)