Advocacy Alert: September 2025 Legislative News Round Up

October 2, 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 | California’s addiction rehab reformers face headwinds as they await action on bills
Shared 9/8/2025
Reformers in Sacramento seem to be gaining some traction, with four of 12 bills advancing and perhaps even landing on the governor’s desk.

NJ | New Jersey Governor Announces $11M For Addiction Recovery Programs
Shared 9/9/2025
Both the state and at least one local government have faced criticism this year for how they have used the settlement funds.

Fact Check Team: Exploring fentanyl's impact on America
Shared 9/10/2025
A bipartisan bill is seeking to close a legal loophole for nitazenes, an opioid 40 times stronger than fentanyl, as the United States intensifies efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl through the southern border.

Suicide Prevention Day: B.C. teen's family calls for mental health reform
Shared 9/10/2025
Andre Courtemanche Mental Health Society is hosting a walk on southern Vancouver Island as efforts continue.

NH | New Law on Mental Health Insurance Lacks Enforcement
Shared 9/12/2025
House Bill 507, which takes effect in January, gives private health insurers 30 days to process credentialing applications, which mental health providers submit to join an insurer’s network.

House bill would require veterans to sign a consent form to get prescriptions for drugs with risk of addiction, bad side effects
Shared 9/18/2025
The Written Informed Consent Act requires doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs to follow the same protocols when prescribing medications with risks of addiction and significant side effects as they do now when writing pharmacy orders for opioid painkillers.

OR | Kotek signs bills to improve, expand mental health, addiction care
Shared 9/22/2025
The four bills were drafted by both Democrats and Republicans working together.

Addiction recovery bill not backed by majority of Scottish parliament committee
Shared 9/23/2025
The bill, introduced by Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Ross, seeks to give those diagnosed with drug or alcohol addiction a statutory right to receive treatment from a relevant professional.

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.