Governor Charlie Baker signed new legislation on Monday morning that focuses on addressing the state’s current opioid epidemic. “An Act relative to substance use treatment, education, and prevention” places a seven-day limit on first-time opioid prescriptions, requires hospitals to evaluate anyone who is believed to have overdosed within 24 hours, and provides substance abuse screening for middle and high school students.

Law enforcement leaders, including Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello and Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan, along with lawmakers and health officials, joined Governor Baker at the State House as he signed the bill into law.