Jun. 25, 2021
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) that would help to prevent certain drug-related tragedies from occurring in Pennsylvania today was sent to the governor’s desk for his signature after the House of Representatives unanimously concurred with Senate amendments to the measure.
Heffley’s bill would require drug recovery houses to notify a resident’s emergency contact at least once within 12 hours when the resident self-discharges or leaves and fails to return.
“In some cases, this notification may be the difference between life and death,” said Heffley. “Families struggling to cope with the addiction problems of a loved one deserve to know this vital information so they can take the necessary steps to avert a potential tragedy. I am hopeful Gov. Wolf agrees and signs the bill into law.”
Also known as “Justin’s Law,” the legislation was prompted by a tragedy that impacted a local family in which a young man overdosed and died after leaving a recovery house without the knowledge of his family members.