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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Louise Williams Bishop |
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Bishop drug treatment bill to be discussed at subcommittee hearing
HARRISBURG, March 6 – The House Health and Human Services Committee's Subcommittee on Drugs and Alcohol will hold a public hearing on legislation introduced by state Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Phila., that would allow people to petition the courts for involuntary drug and alcohol treatment orders for family members.
The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 13 in Room 204 of the Ryan Office Building in the Capitol Complex.
Bishop's legislation (H.B. 1594) would allow family members to petition a court to require a relative to be clinically evaluated, counseled and, if necessary, admitted for in-patient drug or alcohol treatment services for up to 90 days.
"My bill would allow family members help their relatives who are reluctant to get medical care but who are in need drug and alcohol treatment," Bishop said.
Under Bishop's proposal, once treatment is completed, the court would determine if additional therapy is warranted. Bishop said people who did not comply with a court treatment order could face up to six months in prison.
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