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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	July 7, 2014 01:09 PM
From:	Representative Mark Rozzi
To:	All House members
Subject:	Dispensing Psychotropic Medication upon Release from Incarceration

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would amend Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to require state and county correctional facilities to provide a 30-day supply of psychotropic medications to any prisoner upon his release, if at the time of his release, he is under psychiatric care and taking psychotropic medication. Under current law, correctional facilities are required to distribute prisoners’ medication upon their discharge from the facility. However, the law does not specify an exact quantity of medication to be dispensed. It has come to my attention that released prisoners afflicted with mental illness are often unable to schedule an initial appointment with a mental health physician in a timely manner, and consequently are unable to acquire additional medication once their limited supply has been exhausted. Under my legislation, correctional facilities would be required to provide a 30-day supply of psychotropic medications and schedule a medical appointment for the prisoner with a mental health physician immediately preceding the prisoner’s release from custody. Continuity of care is essential to ensuring a returning citizen’s successful reintegration into society, to a quality of life devoid of potentially dangerous psychotic episodes. I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. Thank you!

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