HB 1335, a bill that restricts the location of methadone maintenance facilities that operate outside of Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, passed the House 182-17 on May 3. Rep. Todd Platts (R-York), the drafter of the bill, spoke with PCPA and expressed his intention to craft a bill that would address the concerns of both communities and methadone providers.
The bill prohibits the location of clinics within 500 feet (approximately one block) from any existing school, public playground, public park, housing, child care facility, or place of worship. The requirement applies to any clinics not licensed by the Department of Health by May 15, 1999. These restrictions are much less challenging than those in a number of other bills that have also been introduced this session.
HB 1335 is now in the Senate for consideration.
ACTION: Please read HB 1335 so that you understand its impact on your facility. Offer comments on HB 1335 to your Senators as soon as possible -- this will help to educate them about methadone treatment, but may also help to head off attempts to amend the bill to make it more restrictive. Please send a copy of any written comments to Lu Conser at PCPA.
It is likely that this bill may offer the best legislative option for methadone programs in the current restrictive climate, so make your feelings known to Senators today.
For a copy of HB 1335, call you local legislator, the House Document Room (717-787-5320) or visit the General Assembly's Electronic Bill Room.