U.S. House Passes Davids’ Bipartisan Bill to Help Individuals Recovering from Substance Abuse Reenter Workforce
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Representative Sharice Davids’ bipartisan legislation to address the impact of substance abuse on America’s workforce. The legislation would reauthorize the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act, which supports individuals recovering from substance use disorder, ensuring they can reenter the workforce and maintain gainful employment. Originally introduced alongside Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-06), the bill was passed as part of the bipartisan Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization (SUPPORT) Act.
“Substance abuse has affected far too many Kansas families, and we must ensure those recovering from addiction are supported and have access to good-paying jobs,” said Davids. “Today, my colleagues from both sides of the aisle joined me in helping those folks recovering from substance abuse find employment and live independently. There are so many local organizations who walk alongside our neighbors in recovery, and I’m proud to support their mission through the CAREER Act.”
Davids’ CAREER Act would reauthorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment, Recovery and Workforce Support Grant Program, which helps determine workforce gaps and coordinate employment and training activities for individuals in recovery. The reauthorization would also increase funding for the program and allow the grants to be used for transportation between work, training, and recovery services.
In 2018, the CAREER Act was also included in the bipartisan SUPPORT Act, which empowered local communities and law enforcement to fight the opioid epidemic. Along with Davids’ workforce-focused legislation, today’s updated SUPPORT Act includes six bills from the Bipartisan Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Task Force agenda, including legislation to support pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder, include fentanyl or xylazine test strips as an allowable use of funds in states where they are legal, and expand Medicaid reimbursement for larger mental health centers.
"The CAREER Act has played a key role in supporting workforce development, vocational training, and skill-building in our communities," said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06). "By renewing its authorization, we can make this essential program even more effective, ensuring American workers have what they need to thrive in today's job market. Given the ongoing battle our nation faces with substance abuse, especially the opioid crisis in Kentucky, it's crucial that we focus on helping and providing resources to those working towards recovery."
To ensure a safer and healthier community, Davids has made it a priority to address the opioid and fentanyl epidemic head-on. She hosted multiple summits with law enforcement, health care workers, and education professionals on combatting the fentanyl epidemic and has taken a number of legislative actions based on the specific needs of the Kansas Third District, including:
Joining a bipartisan group of lawmakers to request funding for new handheld mass spectrometry trace level chemical detection devices at domestic ports.
Voting for bipartisan legislation that would restrict access to fentanyl and provide greater resources to local law enforcement to combat its use in Kansas.
Urging the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription—which they did earlier this year.
Hosting a Facebook Live conversation with Blue Valley School District and Johnson County Mental Health Center about opioid use in schools.