The bill amends Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to establish a Medication-Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Program, replacing the previous Nonnarcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Pilot Program. Key changes include the repeal of the pilot program's establishment provisions and the introduction of new definitions, such as "medication-assisted treatment," which refers to the use of FDA-approved medications alongside other treatments for substance use disorders. The bill also shifts the responsibility for grant funding applications from the department to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which will oversee the program's implementation and ensure counties can provide comprehensive treatment to eligible offenders both during incarceration and upon release.

Additionally, the bill outlines the requirements for county participation in the program, including the need for a correctional institution with a substance abuse treatment program and the ability to contract with treatment providers. It mandates that counties assess offenders for medication eligibility and create individualized treatment plans. The commission is tasked with evaluating the program's effectiveness through biennial reports to the General Assembly, detailing the number of offenders treated, completion rates, recidivism statistics, and the overall impact of the treatment provided. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 970 (Jun 19, 2025): 61-46