HARRISBURG – The State Senate today approved legislation that would offer individuals in recovery for substance use disorders a better chance to break the cycle of addiction by maintaining meaningful employment according to Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), who sponsored the bill.
Senate Bill 69 would create a Recovery to Work pilot program to connect individuals suffering from substance use disorders with high-priority occupations through local workforce development boards.
“While our current focus may be on the corona virus pandemic, we must not forget about continuing the fight against the opioid epidemic and the scourge it has laid upon our communities,” Langerholc said during remarks on the Senate floor. “This legislation will strengthen our united fight against the heroin and opioid crisis facing this Commonwealth.”
The pilot program would be led by the Department of Labor and Industry with the assistance of the departments of Health, Community and Economic Development, and Drug and Alcohol Programs, as well as the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
As part of the program, local workforce development boards will work with the treatment and recovery community as well as local employers and training providers to find job training and employment opportunities.
The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Gwenn Dando gdando@pasen.gov