PRINTER'S NO. 890
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
147
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY GREGORY, SCHMITT, DiGIROLAMO, RYAN, McNEILL,
T. DAVIS, MASSER, MURT, NEILSON, MILLARD, READSHAW,
ZIMMERMAN, TOOHIL, STRUZZI, HOWARD, HOHENSTEIN AND HERSHEY,
MARCH 13, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MARCH 13, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
comprehensive review of unused properties, buildings and
facilities owned by the Commonwealth and how to repurpose
those properties, buildings and facilities for use as
facilities appropriate for addiction treatment and recovery
supports and to issue a report.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has the highest rate of overdose
deaths in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The life-saving measures being taken by first
responders to rescue individuals from the brink of death after a
drug overdose is only the first step to recovery; and
WHEREAS, A continuum of care for overdose survivors and
others who struggle with substance use disorders is critical to
their hope for recovery; and
WHEREAS, Every possible resource needs to be utilized to
address and help prevent the high number of overdoses that occur
in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth owns properties, buildings and
facilities that are not currently in use; and
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WHEREAS, Unused Commonwealth properties could potentially be
used to address the serious lack of capacity in facilities
operated by addiction treatment providers; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of
unused properties, buildings and facilities owned by the
Commonwealth and how to repurpose those properties, buildings
and facilities for use as facilities appropriate for addiction
treatment and recovery supports; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission prepare
a report of its findings that shall, at a minimum:
(1) Identify all unused properties, buildings and
facilities owned by the Commonwealth.
(2) Determine, after consultation with addiction
treatment providers and individuals from the construction
industry, how to convert the unused properties, buildings and
facilities into facilities appropriate for addiction
treatment.
(3) Include a map of the available properties, buildings
and facilities with an overlay of the number of overdose
deaths in each county.
(4) Analyze the potential costs of repurposing the
unused properties, buildings and facilities, including ways
the Commonwealth can encourage private and public
partnerships.
(5) Develop a list of services that could be provided if
the unused properties, buildings and facilities were
repurposed, including, but not limited to, substance use
disorder treatment programs and recovery support services
with or without the support of addiction medications on a
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hospital, nonhospital, residential or outpatient basis, in
addition to recovery schools, recovery housing and recovery
community centers with special emphasis on programs near
college and university campuses.
(6) Contain any information that the Joint State
Government Commission determines necessary from the
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of
General Services, Department of Health and Department of
Human Services;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings to the House of Representatives no later than one
year after the adoption of this resolution.
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