Advocacy Alert: April 2025 Legislative News Round Up

May 1, 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.

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.

WV | Teen-led groups visit West Virginia State Capitol to prevent drug, tobacco use
Shared 4/8/2025
Drug and tobacco addiction impacts thousands of lives across West Virginia, including children who’ve watched their family members struggle with addiction.

CA | Insurance denials can devastate mental health patients. California is considering how to fix that
Shared 4/9/2025
Everybody's been denied some form of care,' said one California mental health advocate. Now, lawmakers are advancing new bills on behavioral health coverage.

HI | Hawaii Sports Betting Bill Passes the House & Moves to Senate
Shared 4/9/2025
Hawaii is one of only two states in the US that hasn't legalized any form of gambling.

IA | Iowa mother pushes for 'Kristen's Law' after daughter dies from fentanyl
Shared 4/10/2025
House File 792, also called Kristen's Law, would charge people with first-degree murder if they distributed fentanyl and killed someone.

NJ | Lawmakers target predatory practices in addiction treatment industry
Shared 4/14/2025
Legislation advances that would increase oversight on patient referrals, ban deceptive marketing practices.

Critics say GOP Medicaid cuts could slash fentanyl addiction treatment
Shared 4/15/2025
As Republican lawmakers search for deep spending cuts, a growing number of critics fear a roll-back of Medicaid dollars spent helping Americans slammed by the street fentanyl crisis.

ME | Long wait times and worker shortage fuel mental health crisis in Maine, advocates say
Shared 4/15/2025
Mental health service providers say Maine is at a critical point when it comes to making sure people can get help when they need it.

Alberta introduces controversial involuntary addictions treatment bill
Shared 4/16/2025
Bill 53, the Compassionate Intervention Act, lays out the criteria, guidelines and process for a family member or guardian, health-care professional or police officer to get someone into treatment.

Federal cuts put help for mental health and drug addiction in peril
Shared 4/16/2025
Changes to SAMHSA are hitting during an opioid epidemic and a wave of mental health problems.

NH | New Hampshire Senate Committee Takes Up Several Cannabis Bills That Were Passed By The House
Shared 4/17/2025
The hearing comes ahead of expected House floor action on additional drug reform measures later this week, including a separate legalization proposal and a plan to decriminalize psilocybin.

Smith's Alberta government unveils promised mandatory addiction treatment law
Shared 4/18/2025
If the bill passes, parents, family members, health-care professionals, police or peace officers can apply for a treatment order from a new provincial commission.

TX | Texas lawmakers consider legislation to expand mental health and substance use disorder treatment coverage
Shared 4/18/2025
If passed, both HB 2528 and HB 1142 could reduce treatment wait times and eliminate cost barriers.

NY | Bill to address problem gambling in New York gains Senate approval
Shared 4/23/2025
Co-sponsored by Senator Joseph Addabbo, the bill seeks to establish a Problem Gambling Advisory Council to improve awareness, prevention, and treatment services across the state.

MO | Missouri House seeks to improve access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans
Shared 4/24/2025
Advocates say the alternative treatment can help prevent suicide and opioid addiction.

Wacko' or 'symbolic': lessons from BC's drug decriminalization
Shared 4/29/2025
Now a campaign slogan and House of Commons meme, British Columbia's drug decriminalization pilot began as a response to record-breaking rates of drug-related deaths. Now that the three-year trial is nearing its end, it’s not clear whether it was successful or not — it depends on who you ask.

A look at how the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act will work
Shared 4/30/2025
Because EKRA applies to all labs and all payment sources, many health care providers are confused about what's legal and what's not.

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.