Committee reviews H.32 to expand medication for opioid use disorder in correctional settings

The House Committee on Corrections and Institutions on Feb. 4 reviewed H.32, a bill that would require the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) to enter memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the opioid treatment program nearest each correctional facility to provide medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and to expand reentry planning and reporting related to MOUD.

Legislative counsel Katie McLennan, Office of Legislative Council, told the committee, “This is a bill that's looking at the, administration of medication for opioid use disorder in a correctional setting.” McLennan said the draft directs DOC to execute an MOU with the nearest opioid treatment program (the “hub”) and authorizes—but does not require—MOUs with office-based opioid treatment providers (known as “spokes”).

Why it matters: the draft explicitly tries to create parity between community and correctional MOUD services, broaden the range of medications available, require individualized reentry planning, and add annual reporting and staff training requirements. Those changes could affect DOC operations, vendor contracts and budgets, and community treatment providers.

Key provisions outlined in the draft

- MOUs and provider structure: H.32 would direct DOC to execute MOUs with the hub closest to each correctional facility and may execute MOUs with one or more OBOT (spoke) providers in reasonable proximity. Each MOU "shall require the parties to adhere to the Department of Health's rules around medication for opioid use disorder," McLennan said.

- Expanded medication access: The draft would require MOUs to "expand access to the full range of medications for opioid use disorder at each correctional facility," including opioid…