SAMHSA's National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 2016 is Thursday, May 5. Learn more below.
PEAR Vermont Advocacy Update 

Mental Health & Substance Use and Misuse Priorities
Legislative Session 2016, Week 16
Key Issues

House Passes Saliva Test

After spirited debate the House has approved a saliva test to screen for drugged driving. Passage came in spite of objections from civil liberty advocates who feel that standards are being imposed without the sort of consideration or certainty of efficacy that decades of study have brought to the standards applied to drunken driving limits. Objections were also raised by members who pointed out the long life of THC in a person's system. On the other hand, law enforcement believes that the saliva test is a reasonable way to screen for drug use in drivers. Currently, Vermont's legal blood alcohol level is .08. But under this bill the level would drop to .05 if a person had even traces of marijuana in their system. Some House members supported the bill because of the effect of marijuana on a driver's competence, arguing that depth perception and cognitive abilities change. They also argued that the rest of the world was way ahead of us in their understandings about the safety issue. Democratic representative Bill Lippert - Chair of the House Health Care Committee - pointed out that 100 countries had adopted standards similar to the ones that were under consideration. Saliva testing is included in a larger Senate bill, and they will consider whether to adopt the House version.



Mental Health and the Budget

The Senate Appropriations and Finance Committees were locked in a difficult tangle about resources and spending, but, after all was said, there were cost of living increases for mental health providers. The 2% Medicaid increase that was approved in the House budget was upheld in the Senate's final version. The administration had proposed reducing the percentage to 1.75 estimating that the reduction would save $400,000. But the committee pushed back. Advocates did raise some concerns about language in the final bill that restricted and directed the use of the money raised by the House/Senate hike. There is language in the bill to authorize studying the impact of reductions in Applied Behavioral Analysis rates. The cuts in group therapy reimbursements were partially restored with the reinstatement of 1/3 of the amount originally proposed to cut. Next the bill heads to the Senate floor and then to a conference committee.



Marijuana Bill Lives On the Wild Side

Senate bill 241 - the bill that would legalize marijuana - continued its wild ride through the House committee system. After the Senate version was gutted in the House Judiciary Committee - which decriminalized rather than legalizing - the House Ways and Means restored a version of legalization. Then the bill went to House Appropriations for consideration. As we predicted in last weeks notes the reception from Appropriations has been cool at best. Speaker Shap Smith was quoted last week saying that the bill was "in real trouble." The primary concern in Appropriations is that the process of legalization would spawn a corporatized marketplace for a new drug industry. The Senate version is clearly dead in the House. While the Ways and Means iteration has more supporters it is unclear whether a House majority could emerge. Even though the bill is in trouble in Appropriations, it could be voted out with an adverse recommendation. This negative vote could still lead to a rarely seen contretemps on the House floor, with two committees controlled by Democrats - Judiciary and Ways and Means - in a battle over a controversial bill with tremendous public interest. It is an election year nightmare or delight depending on your point of view. More to follow.


 
Congressional Opioid Conversation

Leaders of a U.S. House bipartisan panel on opioid abuse are pushing a major legislative package they hope will be one of the largest federal commitments to date on fighting addiction. The panel, led by Reps. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) and Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), has endorsed 15 bipartisan bills on opioid abuse. The bills include $85 million in local grants and $10 million for prescription drug monitoring programs. The panel's leaders hope the initiatives will provide a framework for a broader House bill slated to reach the floor next month . The House is entering the debate on opioids taken up in the Senate two months ago - when Governor Shumlin went to Washington to testify. In a rare exhibition of bipartisanship, the Senate reached agreement and approved a bill 94 to 1. The House is now moving forward with its own version. Perhaps not too surprisingly, many House members who face either competitive races, or ones that could become competitive support these efforts. The legislation is expected to head to the House floor the first week of May. As many as eight separate bills could be voted on.


SAMHSA's National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

N ational Children's Mental Health Awareness Day 2016 is Thursday, May 5. Communities across the country, as well as national collaborating organizations and federal partners, are busy planning Awareness Day activities that will take place throughout the month of May. To support their efforts, SAMHSA will host the Awareness Day 2016 national event on May 5 in Washington, DC. 


Join us for Tea and Scones

Every Tuesday during the Legislative Session we meet with community members and advocates for weekly digest and great discussion on happenings over at the State House. Come let your voice be heard!

Next Tea and Scones: April 26th, 8am - 9am
The PEAR Garden |  100 State Street, Suite 354
Tea, coffee and breakfast treats will be served.
Recovery Coach Academy

The Vermont Recovery Coach   Academy is a 5-day-long comprehensive, current, interactive training designed to equip participants with the basic tools, skills and resources vital to becoming an effective recovery coach.

Next Academy
June 13-17, 2016
9:00 am - 4:30 pm, each day
Central Vermont, Location TBD

Camp Daybreak Volunteers, 2015
Camp Daybreak

Camp Daybreak serves Vermont children ages 8 through 11 with a range of social, behavioral and mental health needs by providing a one week residential, summer camp experience. Each camper is paired with a high school or college aged volunteer, ensuring that they are provided with as much attention and support during their experience.

Camp is Growing!

This year we are adding a fourth family at Camp Daybreak. This allows us to create more opportunities for volunteers and campers!

Want to make a difference in the life of a young Vermonter? Join us this summer and help provide a summer camp experience to a young person in need.

Do you know a young person (ages 8 through 11) who could benefit from a highly supportive residential experience? Refer them to Camp Daybreak, today!


Useful Links During the Legislative Session

Legislative updates have been prepared by Peter Mallary,  Vice President for Government Relations and Community Outreach & Director for Friends of Recovery Vermont at The Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery.

STAY CONNECTED:



PEAR Vermont is a program of The Vermont Association for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery.