Pennsylvania SB 516: An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, in district election officers, further providing for appointment of watchers; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for canvassing of official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; and, in penalties, further providing for refusal to permit overseers, watchers, attorneys or candidates to act, for prohibiting duress and intimidation of voters and interference with the free exercise of the elective franchise and for hindering or delaying performance of duty.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 479
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 516
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ROBINSON, BARTOLOTTA, KANE, FONTANA, STEFANO,
COSTA, PENNYCUICK, MILLER AND TARTAGLIONE, MARCH 25, 2025
REFERRED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, MARCH 25, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for substance use overdose
awareness, treatment and recovery support; establishing the
Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program; and
providing for powers and duties of the Department of Drug and
Alcohol Programs.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 52C
SUBSTANCE USE OVERDOSE AWARENESS,
TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORT
Subchapter
A. Preliminary Provisions
B. Opioid Overdose Awareness
C. Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program
SUBCHAPTER A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
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52C01. Scope of chapter.
52C02. Definitions.
§ 52C01. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to substance use and misuse treatment
and support services.
§ 52C02. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Alcohol." The term includes "malt or brewed beverages" and
"liquor" as defined in section 102 of the act of April 12, 1951
(P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code.
"Applicant."
(1) Any of the following:
(i) A recovery support provider.
(ii) A person that provides support and technical
assistance to a recovery support provider.
(2) The term does not include an individual or a for-
profit entity.
"Commonwealth agency." An executive agency or independent
agency as those terms are defined in 2 Pa.C.S. § 101 (relating
to definitions).
"Conspicuous location." A location open to the public where
an individual is likely to see and read the poster developed
under section 52C12(a)(1) (relating to development of opioid
overdose awareness materials). The term includes a bathroom,
bulletin board, entrance, exit, hallway or lobby.
"Controlled substance." As defined in section 2 of the act
of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
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"Department." The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs of
the Commonwealth.
"Metropolitan transportation authority." An authority
operating under 74 Pa.C.S. Ch. 17 (relating to metropolitan
transportation authorities).
"Municipality." A county, city, borough, incorporated town
or township.
"Opioid antagonist." A drug or device approved under 21
U.S.C. Ch. 9 (relating to Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act)
for emergency reversal of known or suspected opioid overdose,
including naloxone hydrochloride or other similarly acting drugs
approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for
the treatment of an opioid overdose.
"Peer recovery specialist." An individual with continuous
personal recovery from a substance use disorder who has received
substance use recovery-focused education and training in
recovery support services.
"Program." The Lifetime Recovery from Substance Use Grant
Program established under section 52C42 (relating to Lifetime
Recovery from Substance Use Grant Program).
"Recipient." An applicant that receives a grant under this
chapter.
"Recovery from substance use ." The process of change through
which an individual who had been engaging in substance use takes
steps to improve the individual's health and wellness, leads a
self-directed life and strives to reach the individual's own
potential.
"Recovery support provider." Any of the following that
provide recovery support services to individuals, families and
communities in this Commonwealth:
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(1) A nonprofit organization.
(2) A hospital or other health care provider.
(3) A municipality.
(4) A single county authority created under the act of
April 14, 1972 (P.L.221, No.63), known as the Pennsylvania
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Control Act.
(5) A recovery house licensed under Subarticle (b) of
Article XXIII-A of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177,
No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.
"Recovery support services." Any of the following services
relating to an individual in recovery from substance use :
(1) Providing a network of peer support provided by peer
recovery specialists for an individual in recovery from
substance use , including advocacy for individuals in recovery
from substance use .
(2) Providing and supporting a network of family support
or community support for families and communities of those in
recovery from substance use .
(3) Providing crisis intervention refe