Advocacy Alert: May 2025 Legislative News Round Up

June 5, 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.

AZ | New Law Increases Oversight of Arizona Sober Living Homes
Shared 5/2/2025
The legislation follows a ProPublica and Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting investigation on a $2 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking drug and alcohol treatment.

NV | Carson High junior provides update on Youth Legislature bill
Shared 5/2/2025
Carson High School junior Kyle Allen, District 16's youth legislator this term for the 2025 Nevada legislative session, says his peers’ bill proposal targeting substance abuse is a great opportunity to provide intervention services without placing handcuffs on students.

IL | Bill to classify compulsive gambling as a substance abuse disorder passes Illinois Senate
Shared 5/5/2025
If gambling disorder is categorized under the Substance Use Disorder Act, the Illinois Department of Human Services would be able to create programs for the prevention, recognition and treatment of the disorder and fund grants for local intervention programs.

HI | House lawmakers pass resolution to study legalized gambling in Hawai'i
Shared 5/6/2025
The group would review gambling legislation introduced in past sessions and consider its potential in the planned New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District.

IA | Iowa House, Senate still differ in how to distribute opioid settlement money.
Shared 5/7/2025
The House bill prioritizes a bottom-up approach, empowering local districts, while the Senate bill lets state agencies take the lead with input from the districts.

Trump Team Faces Key Legal Decision That Could Put Mental Health Parity in Peril
Shared 5/12/2025
Although a federal parity law has been on the books since 2008, the regulations in question were issued last September.

NE | Nebraska lawmakers pass over mobile sports gambling measure without vote
Shared 5/14/2025
In the first round of debate, opponents of the measure, like Sen. Brad von Gillern, said the risk of increasing gambling addiction among young men in Nebraska is not worth the money the state would see in return.

MO | Bill expanding access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Missouri veterans heads to governor
Shared 5/21/2025
Advocates have pushed for four years for the alternative treatment they say can help prevent suicide and opioid addiction.

IL | State legislature aims to strengthen standards for reporting opioid overdoses
Shared 5/28/2025
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly approved a bill sponsored by State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) to combat opioid overdoses by strengthening reporting standards statewide.

MD | Maryland's State-Mandated Opioid Treatment in Jails Helps Recovery, But Implementation Gaps Remain
Shared 5/28/2025
Study highlights incarcerated individuals' experiences under landmark MOUD law.

NM | New Mexico prepares to enter modern medical psychedelic movement
Shared 5/28/2025
Under new legislation, New Mexico is following the path of Oregon and Colorado in preparing to roll out a tightly regulated medical psilocybin program by late 2027.

FL | At Darryl Rouson's insistence, Senate passes mental health bill despite House snub
Shared 5/30/2025
The lower chamber killed provisions launching a research center named for the Democratic Senator.

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.