Advocacy Alert: February 2025 Legislative News Round Up

March 6, 2025

For those of you who follow us on social media know, we post news stories on a daily basis that are connected to the behavioral health and addiction treatment industry. (We have joined BlueSky!)

Many of these are news stories regarding legislation, so once a month we send out a 'news roundup' of related news stories we've posted. Unless otherwise stated, NBHAP has no official stance on any of these stories: the intention is to share so that we're all better informed as to what's happening in the legislative world.

A reminder that NBHAP members get access to a monthly update with our advocate in Washington, DC, to find out what is going on and ask any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us for more information on that.

DE | New co-chair of Prescription Opioid Settlement Commission
Shared 2/3/2025
Governor Matt Meyer has named Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Director Joanna Champney to help guide the commission, which allocates funds to prevention, treatment, recovery, awareness and other related programs.

IA | American Lung Association urges Iowa lawmakers to increase taxes on tobacco products
Shared 2/4/2025
The American Lung Association has released its annual State of Tobacco Control report card for Iowa, now asking lawmakers to increase taxes on tobacco products.

NJ | Norcross, Fitzpatrick, Courtney Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enforce Mental Health Parity, Hold Insurance Companies Accountable
Shared 2/5/2025
"America's mental health and substance use disorder epidemic has plagued communities across the country for far too long. We've lost more Americans to the opioid epidemic than to the Vietnam War, and one in five adults in the United States have a mental illness," said Congressman Norcross.

ID | Fueled by harsh drug sentences, Idaho leads nation in women's incarceration, report finds
Shared 2/5/2025
Idaho Justice Project calls for drug policy reforms, but lawmakers say public safety is at stake.

OK | Oklahoma County leaders discussing proposed juvenile drug treatment court
Shared 2/6/2025
More than 20% of Oklahoma's youth have a substance abuse issue, and leaders are taking steps to provide better resources for them.

ND | Lt. Gov. Strinden testifies in support of bills designed to support recovery and reentry, reduce recidivism
Shared 2/7/2025
Strinden noted the study followed years of progress North Dakota has made in criminal justice reform, becoming a national leader in recovery and reentry to ensure people leave the criminal justice system better than when they arrived.

RI | Rhode Island Bill Would Legalize Psilocybin And Establish State-Regulated Therapeutic Program After Federal Rescheduling
Shared 2/10/2025
H.5186 would permit the possession of "any compound, mixture, or preparation containing less than one ounce (1 oz.) of psilocybin" so long as it was "securely cultivated" within a person's residence or "shared by one person to another."

NH | New Hampshire Senate passes stricter sentencing for fentanyl dealers
Shared 2/11/2025
Senate Bill 14 and Senate Bill 15, both sponsored by Sandown Republican Sen. Bill Gannon, were passed by the New Hampshire Senate Thursday.

AL | How Scott Cochran will continue addiction recovery advocacy at West Alabama
Shared 2/12/2025
The longtime Alabama football strength and conditioning coach has been helping start the non-profit American Addiction Recovery Association.

CO | Colorado Moves Closer To Bolstering Parity Rules in Its State Code
Shared 2/19/2025
On Feb. 10, the Colorado House of Representatives bipartisanly voted 54-9 to approve HB25-1002.

OH | Pizzulli Introduces Legislation to Address Unregulated Recovery Housing in Ohio
Shared 2/20/2025
The bill will empower the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to establish a certificate of need program to assess and set the appropriate level of recovery housing in each Ohio region to ensure a fair distribution of services statewide.

NY | New York lawmakers propose workplace recovery program for injury-related addiction
Shared 2/21/2025
A National Health Institute study found people with workplace injuries have a higher rate of developing substance use addiction.

NE | State senators consider bill to hold social media companies accountable for addiction
Shared 2/24/2025
Sen. Carolyn Bosn introduced LB504, also known as the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act, at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen. It gives the Nebraska Attorney General the authority to hold companies like Meta and Snapchat accountable for causing harm to minors through phone addiction and identity theft.

SC | Bill that aims to improve services for people who 'fall through the cracks' advances in SC Senate
Shared 2/24/2025
This proposal is a "scaled down" version of one that died at the end of last year's session.

Sen. Gillibrand announces bill to establish mental health hotline for first responders
Shared 2/26/2025
The legislation, named the First Responders Wellness Act, would also expand mental health services for first responders during major disasters.

PA | How Pennsylvania's Bold Action on Maternal Health and Addiction Could Change Lives Forever
Shared 2/27/2025
Pennsylvania state leaders convened for a groundbreaking roundtable to address the critical intersection of maternal health and substance use disorders (SUD).

WV | West Virginia First Foundation board member testifies before U.S. Senate on opioids
Shared 2/28/2025
A board member with the West Virginia First Foundation testified on the Senate floor in Washington, DC, about the effects of the opioid epidemic on West Virginia senior citizens in late February.

Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input.

A reminder that NBHAP members get regular access to our advocate in Washington, DC. If you have any questions about NBHAP's advocacy efforts, please contact us.