Advocacy Alert: June 2025 Legislative News Round Up

July 3, 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.

CA | An overdose killed her son. Then, California lawmakers asked her to help save others
Shared 6/2/2025
Ryan Matlock died of a fentanyl overdose after seeking addiction treatment. Today, his mother is urging lawmakers to get tougher on health insurance plans.

NV | Reno family advocates for opioid alternatives in Nevada Legislature
Shared 6/3/2025
Lisa Mead, CEO of Reno Orthopedic Clinic, and her son, Gerad Davis, recently testified in support of Senate Bill 337 before the Nevada Legislature's Senate Health and Human Services committee.

House Anti-Opioids Bill Easily Passes Despite Unexpected Opposition
Shared 6/9/2025
Dubbed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, the legislation reauthorizes funding for the fiscal years 2026 to 2030 for grants and other programs related to combating substance abuse.

OK | Drummond appeals to Congress for new law to fight youth drug abuse
Shared 6/11/2025
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging Congress to pass a law allowing Oklahoma and other states to develop prevention campaigns to combat youth drug abuse.

White House proposes axing 988 suicide hotline services for LGBTQ youth
Shared 6/12/2025
The specialized suicide-prevention counseling service for LGBTQ youth and young adults received more than 1.3 million contacts since it started in 2022, advocates said.

RI | Kratom regulation bill clears Rhode Island House
Shared 6/12/2025
For the second year in a row, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill that would legalize and regulate the sale and manufacture of kratom, the psychoactive drug derived from a plant native to Southeast Asia.

KS | Douglas County commissioner pushes to increase funding for Bert Nash amid center's financial crisis
Shared 6/12/2025
Gene Dorsey, a Democrat elected in November 2024 to represent District 4, previously served on the center’s board of directors and is an advocate for mental health services.

NH | New Hampshire House passes mandatory minimums for fentanyl possession and reduces punishments for shrooms
Shared 6/12/2025
If enacted, SB 14 would create mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted on fentanyl charges. That includes manufacturing, selling, transporting, or possessing the drug with the intent to sell.

CT | Advocates highlight services available after an overdose spike in Hartford
Shared 6/13/2025
In 24 hours, there were seven overdose hospitalizations in Hartford, according to city health officials.

VA | Governor Youngkin signs bill holding drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths
Shared 6/16/2025
According to Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney Wes Nance, fentanyl is a major concern in the county and state. He said fentanyl is something prosecutors and law enforcement deal with on a weekly basis.

PA | Pennsylvania Legislature Takes Another Run at Forced SUD Treatment; Providers Remain Opposed
Shared 6/17/2025
In 2017, Pennsylvania was in unprecedented times with the highest number of annual overdose deaths ever seen at 5,456.

LA | Louisiana hikes sports gambling tax to subsidize college athletics
Shared 6/17/2025
House Bill 639 by Rep. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, cleared the Senate on a 35-3 vote Sunday, after previously passing the House 74-15. Gov. Jeff Landry is expected to sign it into law.

WV | Methadone treatment could stem West Virginia's overdose crisis. Lawmakers won't allow more clinics
Shared 6/25/2025
Years ago, state lawmakers limited the number of methadone clinics, after finding the drug treatment was a contributor in overdose deaths. But as drug users transitioned to more powerful opioids, researchers see a need for a stronger treatment.

MD | Maryland officials must describe how they combat overdose deaths in treatment under new law
Shared 6/25/2025
Under the law effective July 1, signed by Gov. Wes Moore last week, the Maryland Department of Health must detail in two annual reports how the state agency is improving oversight and regulation of the treatment field.

FL | Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bills to promote mental health and addiction recovery
Shared 6/26/2025
State Bill 1620 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance mental health and substance-use disorder services, focusing on improving assessment and treatment standards.

NM | Medicaid cuts would be devastating health center patients tell Sen. Heinrich
Shared 6/26/2025
The meeting was at First Nations Community Healthsource, where Heinrich talked to patients about what losing Medicaid would mean for them.

GA | As Georgia fentanyl crisis explodes, lawmakers respond with tough new rules
Shared 6/26/2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,726 total fentanyl deaths in 2022 in Georgia alone.

NV | Nevada Passes Law Limiting AI Use for Mental and Behavioral Healthcare
Shared 6/27/2025
AB 406 comes as other states, such as Utah and New York, have taken steps to regulate AI chatbots, including AI chatbots providing mental health services.

DE | A year after scandal, lawmakers seek to change how opioid grants are awarded
Shared 6/30/2025
Delaware’s controversial quarter-billion dollar opioid settlement fund is gearing up to release $13 million in grants later this month. A new law making its way through the legislature would restructure how the government releases its windfall.

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.