First Harm Reduction Bill Heard in Senate

February 29, 2024

A bill to allow the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and increase access to opioid antagonists in sober homes, received its first hearing this week in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Supporting harm reduction legislation designed to reduce substance use disorder morbidity and mortality is one of the MMA’s five legislative priorities for 2024. 

SF 3973 (Mann, DFL – Edina) modifies current sober home requirements to require that opioid antagonists be placed in a conspicuous location, thereby increasing access to a drug that individuals with a history of substance use disorder will benefit greatly from. In addition, the legislation will permit sober home residents to have access to MOUD, resulting in sober home residents reducing their withdrawal and cravings; preventing opioid overdose, decreasing use of non-prescribed opioids; decreasing infections secondary to injection drug use; and saving lives.  At the hearing, strong testimony on the importance of the use of MOUD to treat addiction was provided, and the bill was laid over for future inclusion in an omnibus bill. 

In a letter of support shared with the committee, the MMA argues that the legislation will “help ensure that Minnesota is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that we are affording individuals in recovery with the opportunity to seek the care necessary to address a disease that is too often ignored.” 

Under the ADA, drug addiction is considered a physical or mental impairment, and the ADA prohibits discrimination against people in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD). The protections apply to those individuals who are not engaging in illegal drug use. This includes those taking legally prescribed medication to treat their OUD (e.g., MOUD or medication-assisted treatment (MAT).  

Opposition to the bill came from sober homes that have a policy of zero tolerance for all drugs, including MOUD. 

The MMA is partnering with the Minnesota Harm Reduction Collaborative, as the leading organization advocating for multiple harm reduction bills.