Sen. Langerholc announces plans to re-introduce opioid pilot program legislation

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Pennsylvania Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. (R-35) announced Monday he planned to re-introduce legislation to combat the heroin and opioid epidemic in the state.

The Recovery to Work Pilot Program, Langerholc said, would work to connect individuals in recovery with jobs through local workforce development boards.

“An important, yet often overlooked, side effect of this epidemic is the vicious cycle that many individuals fall into when trying to find, secure, and maintain steady employment with a history of a substance use disorder,” he said in a memorandum to his Senate colleagues. “Meaningful employment is essential to an individual’s long-term recovery as it provides a renewed sense of purpose and will help make for a healthier and more prosperous community.”

According to Langerholc, the pilot program would be headed up by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry with the assistance of the state Departments of Health; Community and Economic Development; and Drug and Alcohol programs, and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. If the legislation for the pilot program is passed, the departments would work together to develop a plan for local workforce development boards to work with treatment and recovery groups and local employers and training providers to offer individuals in recovery job training and employment opportunities.

The legislation would also provide incentives for businesses and training providers to participate in the program, Langerholc said in the memo.

The bill was previously passed in the Senate on March 17, 2021, and was previously co-sponsored by Sens. Scott Martin (R-13), Ryan Aument (R-36), Patrick Stefano (R-32), Judy Ward (R-30), Gene Yaw (R-23), Lisa Baker (R-20), and Art Haywood (D-4).