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Senate legalizes sale and distribution of fentanyl test strips to expand harm-reduction tools
Summary
The Senate passed S.1057 to legalize sale and distribution of fentanyl test strips and associated testing equipment, allowing broader access beyond harm-reduction providers and including Good Samaritan protections, according to advocates and the sponsor.
The Senate approved S.1057, a bill to legalize the sale and distribution of fentanyl test strips and testing equipment used solely to identify fentanyl and its analogs.
Senator Crane, recognized for the debate, cited Department of Public Health data and described the strips as a low-cost, evidence-based harm-reduction tool. ‘‘The Department of Public Health has reported that there were 1,763 opioid related deaths in Massachusetts between July 2023 and June 2024. Fentanyl contributed to nearly all of them... This bill before us today provides our commonwealth in our communities with 1 more tool to prevent overdoses, fentanyl test strips,’’ Crane said. He explained that under current state law the strips are treated as illegal paraphernalia, which limits sale and distribution by retail outlets and many organizations; the bill would remove that barrier and add a Good Samaritan protection addressing professional-discipline and criminal-liability concerns.
Crane and other supporters said fentanyl test strips are inexpensive (roughly $1 each), simple to use, and, where available, have been associated with safer behaviors among people who use drugs. The Senate ordered the bill to be engrossed; floor action showed the ayes prevailed by voice vote and the bill passed to be engrossed.
