House committee reviews bill to require DOC MOUs, reentry plans and reporting for medication-based opioid treatment

Representative Eric McGuire, Rutland City, introduced House bill H.872 to the House Corrections & Institutions Committee on Jan. 29, asking the committee to require the Department of Corrections (DOC) to enter into memorandums of understanding with local opioid treatment programs and office-based treatment providers, expand individualized reentry planning for people on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and improve reporting and oversight.

McGuire told the committee this proposal is intended to “help emphasize and help enhance, make the program better” and to create “a seamless transition of an individual inside the facility on MAT and being seamlessly transitioned to a provider.” He said the bill builds on Act 176 (2018) and would mandate MOUs between DOC and nearby treatment providers so community providers are notified when a person is released and can coordinate care.

The bill, as described by McGuire, has three primary elements. First, mandatory MOUs would link each correctional facility with opioid treatment programs or office-based treatment providers in reasonable proximity. McGuire used Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility as an example, saying there are “roughly 6 providers” in proximity and proposing an MOU with one such provider to ensure local coordination at release.

Second, H.872 would require individualized reentry plans for people receiving MOUD while incarcerated and preserve a 7-day supply of medication at release when community providers are not immediately available. McGuire said the 7-day supply is intended as a bridge for people released late on a Friday until a community provider is reachable on Monday.

Third, the bill would require greater transparency and accountability through reporting. McGuire told the committee it would require DOC to submit annual reports to the Legislature on recidivism among people who received MOUD in custody, cost savings tied to reduced recidivism and health-care expenditures, and health and social outcomes after release. He also recommended an independent comprehensive audit of the DOC MAT program from its inception through 2024 to identify “what’s working, what’s not working.”

McGuire described additional provisions to standardize screening and continuity of MOUD, prohibit discontinuing medication without medical justification documented by a licensed provider, and to coordinate housing, employment and social services on reentry. He argued the bill would “tighten that up” where, he said, some facilities may provide medication but lack cognitive behavioral therapy or other wraparound services that mirror community-based care.

Committee members expressed general support for exploring the bill further and asked procedural questions. One member asked whether McGuire had worked with DOC during drafting; McGuire said the sponsors submitted the bill for committee review and would engage DOC at the committee’s discretion. The committee indicated it wants a formal walkthrough of the bill and to hear DOC and other providers in the room.

At the close of the discussion the committee agreed to pursue additional testimony. The chair said Katie McClint would be asked to walk the committee through the bill at a future meeting and that DOC should be present for that walkthrough.

McGuire cited reported returns on investment from other states that have expanded correctional treatment programs, saying Missouri and Kentucky have reported roughly $3 to $4 in benefit per dollar spent. He also encouraged the committee to hear from hub-and-spoke providers to assess local capacity to implement any statutory changes.

No formal vote on H.872 occurred during the Jan. 29 meeting. The committee’s next steps are a bill walkthrough by the drafter and additional testimony, with DOC requested to participate.