Advocacy Alert: November 2024 Legislative News Round Up

December 5, 2024

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.

Congress is discussing a bill that could help with the Opioid Epidemic
Shared 11/4/2024
Nadia Milleron, independent candidate for the 1st congressional district, held a press conference on Thursday in support of a bill that she says would help combat the opioid epidemic.

NH | Addiction is still a problem in New Hampshire. Here's how the candidates for governor plan to tackle it.
Shared 11/4/2024
A decade into New Hampshire's overdose crisis, there are some signs of progress.

SD | IM 29: If voters decriminalize marijuana, lawmakers would make the call on sales
Shared 11/4/2024
Measure offers South Dakotans a third chance to vote on recreational cannabis.

OR | Oregon announces first three 'recovery' high schools to help students facing problems with substance abuse
Shared 11/6/2024
House Bill 2767 laid the groundwork for Oregon to establish and support recovery schools across the state. Now, they're serving students.

OH | Drug overdose deaths down in Ohio. Fentanyl, opioids remain top killers
Shared 11/7/2024
Fewer Ohioans are dying of drug overdoses because of better access to naloxone, opioid treatment and peer support, Gov. Mike DeWine announced October 30.

GA | Sen. Ossoff Strengthening Opioid Addiction Treatment in Rural Georgia
Shared 11/13/2024
Sen. Ossoff announced he is delivering $2.25 million in Federal funding to rural health centers through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help those struggling with substance use disorder.

Psychedelics legalization push fails on Mass. ballot
Shared 11/14/2024
Question 4 would have legalized the personal and clinical use of psilocybin, psilocyn, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline in Massachusetts.

IL | Illinois legislators hear challenges facing substance use treatment providers
Shared 11/18/2024
The Illinois Senate and House Mental Health and Addiction Joint Committee has been holding a series of hearings to discuss various aspects of funding and treatment.

AR | Arkansas AG funds $1 million opioid-focused pilot program for specialty courts
Shared 11/18/2024
The state attorney general’s office is providing new funding to Arkansas Specialty Court judges who want to provide services for people struggling with opioid addiction.

CA | California Proposition 36 is approved by voters, allowing stronger penalties for theft, drug offenses
Shared 11/22/2024
Proposition 36 would walk back much of the decade-old Proposition 47, turning some theft misdemeanors into felonies, requiring a warning about a possible murder charge for selling or providing drugs, and creating a new "treatment-mandated felony," according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office.

ME | Needle exchanges face municipal pushback despite state, public health backing
Shared 11/26/2024
In light of an HIV outbreak in Penobscot County, experts warn further restrictions could lead to potential spread.

ID | Idaho Legislature's budget committee tours reformed Southwest Idaho Treatment Center
Shared 11/26/2024
Several Idaho legislators began pushing for state officials to prioritize treating more Idahoans with developmental or intellectual disabilities in residential treatment facilities instead of hospitalizing them after the budget committee toured the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center.

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.