House passes Representative Rivera's bill to update drug and alcohol terminology

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives convened on May 6, 2025, to address several legislative matters, including the referral of multiple bills and the passage of significant legislation aimed at updating drug and alcohol treatment terminology.

The session began with the Chair referring a series of bills to the appropriations committee, including House Bills 1331 through 1340, as well as House Bill 1418 concerning gaming fisheries and House Bill 1417 related to state government.

Following the referrals, the majority leader introduced House Bill 1117, which had been previously discussed on three occasions. The bill aims to modernize the statutory language used by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, replacing outdated and stigmatizing terms with more supportive, recovery-oriented language. Representative Rivera from Lancaster, the prime sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of compassionate and evidence-based laws that foster a better environment for individuals seeking treatment and long-term recovery.

After a brief discussion, the House proceeded to a vote on the bill. The results showed a strong majority in favor, with 201 votes for and only 2 against. The bill was passed and will be sent to the Senate for concurrence.

The session continued with the majority leader calling up House Bill 81, which was also agreed upon by the House. The clerk proceeded to read the title and a brief description of this bill, although further details on its content were not provided in the transcript.

In summary, the May 6 session was marked by the successful passage of House Bill 1117, reflecting a commitment to updating language in drug and alcohol treatment policies, alongside the referral of several other bills for further consideration.