Advocacy Alert: August 2023 Legislative News Round Up

September 7, 2023

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, BHAP 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.

NJ | Social Media's Impact On Youth Mental Health: What New Jersey Is Doing
Shared 8/1/2023
A recent federal advisory detailed social media's negative impact on young people, and New Jersey legislators are seeking to take action.

NM | New Mexico county, city leaders meet on proposed Clovis Behavioral Health Facility
Shared 8/2/2023
Multiple county and city groups will meet with Initium Health in Clovis to discuss possible locations for a proposed Behavioral Health Facility, according to a joint press release from regional officials.

Sen. Bob Menendez touts new bill that would target opioid traffickers in fight against fentanyl
Shared 8/3/2023
The Senate passed legislation targeting opioid traffickers in the fight against fentanyl.

KS | Next iteration of KanCare must work for everyone, from providers to patients across Kansas (Opinion)
Shared 8/9/2023
This fall, the state of Kansas will select the next set of managed care organizations to administer the KanCare program, which provides Medicaid health insurance coverage for some 415,000 low-income individuals in the Sunflower State.

Federal Officials May Shut Down Overdose Prevention Centers in Manhattan
Shared 8/10/2023
A nonprofit said it had stopped 1,000 overdoses. Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor said he was eyeing its methods, which are against the law.

Drug Decriminalization Policies Work — With Properly Funded Treatment Services
Shared 8/14/2023
Critics of decriminalizing drugs have pointed to rising overdose rates to argue that decriminalization doesn’t work. In fact, such policies are effective — when combined with robust state support for addiction treatment.

NV | Here’s what legislators did to address mental health issues in Nevada
Shared 8/16/2023
As Nevada continues to rank near the bottom nationally for its handling of mental health, lawmakers made strides this past legislative session to address gaps in the state’s mental health services.

WY | Gillette mental health, substance use diversion program picks up steam
Shared 8/16/2023
Lawmakers and state department leaders met Tuesday morning in Lander for the second meeting of the Mental Health and Vulnerable Adults Task Force to discuss the outline of the diversion program and to sort through and identify action the Legislature could take.

OH | New Ohio law will give coaches the tools to address mental health
Shared 8/23/2023
With the 2023-24 school year underway, thousands of high school athletes are preparing for new seasons, and while coaches work on plays, a new Ohio law will also require all coaches to undergo mental health training.

Reform law and expand treatment options to tackle cost of drugs on society – Home Affairs Committee finds
Shared 8/31/2023
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs regulations need to be updated to support greater use of public health based drug interventions, while also ensuring an appropriate criminal justice response to illicit drugs including national standards for diversion schemes for low level offending.

Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input.

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