Pennsylvania HR 253: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a task force and advisory committee on increasing access to drug and alcohol treatment for substance use disorders; and directing the task force to make recommendations to the General Assembly.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1853 PRINTER'S NO. 1878
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 253
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PUGH, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS, WAXMAN, BURGOS, HEFFLEY,
OLSOMMER, RIVERA, HOHENSTEIN, JAMES AND D. WILLIAMS,
JUNE 6, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 10, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish a
task force and advisory committee on increasing access to
drug and alcohol treatment for substance use disorders; and
directing the task force to make recommendations to the
General Assembly.
WHEREAS, More than 40 million people nationwide are impacted
by substance use disorders according to the United States
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and
WHEREAS, Preliminary data from the CDC indicates an estimated
87,000 overdose deaths from October 2023 through September 2024;
and
WHEREAS, Overdose deaths occurred nearly every two hours in
this Commonwealth in 2023 according to the Department of Health;
and
WHEREAS, That year, 4,719 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania
were reported; and
WHEREAS, Access to timely, evidence-based treatment options
for substance use disorder are crucial to recovery; therefore be
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to establish a task force and
advisory committee on increasing access to drug and alcohol
treatment for substance use disorders; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the task force consist of four legislative
members, one appointed by the Majority Leader of the House of
Representatives, one appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives, one appointed by the chair of the
Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives and one
appointed by the minority chair of the Human Services Committee
of the House of Representatives; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
establish an advisory committee to support the task force, which
shall include, but not be limited to, the following individuals:
(1) A representative recommended by the Department of
Drug and Alcohol Programs.
(2) A representative recommended by the Department of
Human Services.
(3) A representative recommended by the Insurance
Department.
(4) A physician recommended by the Department of Health.
(5) A representative recommended by the Attorney
General.
(6) A representative recommended by the Pennsylvania
Fraternal Order of Police.
(7) Two physicians with expertise in addiction medicine
recommended by the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
(8) A physician who is a member of the Pennsylvania
Psychiatric Society specializing in addiction psychiatry.
20250HR0253PN1878 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(9) An emergency room physician.
(10) An emergency medical technician.
(11) A representative recommended by the Drug and
Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania.
(12) A representative recommended by the Pennsylvania
Recovery Organizations Alliance.
(13) A representative recommended by the Pennsylvania
District Attorneys Association.
(14) A representative recommended by the Public Defender
Association of Pennsylvania.
(15) A representative for Single County Authorities as
recommended by the County Commissioners Association of
Pennsylvania.
(16) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or a
designee.
(17) A representative recommended by the Pennsylvania
Coroners Association.
(18) A representative of pharmacists recommended by the
Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association.
(19) A representative recommended by the Pennsylvania
State Nurses Association.
(20) A representative recommended by the Pennsylvania
Osteopathic Medical Association.
(21) A representative recommended by the Hospital and
Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.
(21) A representative who operates a licensed recovery
house.
(22) A judge who oversees a Pennsylvania Treatment
Court.
(23) Two individuals in recovery from substance use
20250HR0253PN1878 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

disorder for a minimum of one year.
(24) A representative recommended by the Rehabilitation
and Community Providers Association;.
(25) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY WHO
OFFERS HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.
(26) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MEDICAID
MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION IN THIS COMMONWEALTH;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee examine existing laws,
regulations and policies governing access to quality drug and
alcohol treatment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee gather facts from prior
legislative public hearings on related topics; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee solicit and consider
briefs, comments and recommendations from stakeholders,
specifically regarding percei