Pielli introduces bill to help recovering mothers
H.B. 1192 would create a mother’s treatment court pilot program
Rep. Chris Pielli June 16, 2025 | 1:54 PM
HARRISBURG, June 16 – State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, said today he has introduced a bill that will help mothers who are recovering from substance use disorder.
The legislation, H.B. 1192, would create a mother’s treatment court pilot program aimed at providing recovering mothers with the support and resources they need to confidently re-enter society.
Pielli says an estimated 30 to 49% of new mothers use alcohol, cocaine, or prescription drugs to handle postpartum depression and to relieve stress and anxiety. However, 10% of them cannot pursue treatment due to lack of childcare or face other barriers including involvement in abusive relationships and past trauma preventing them from reaching out.
“As a former correctional officer and counselor, I have seen the devastating result these barriers can produce with incarceration,” Pielli said. “Later, as a past criminal defense attorney, I represented clients in Drug Court, Veterans Court, and Mental Health Court. I noticed the unique challenges and roadblocks that mothers, especially single moms, face during their recovery, as well as the failure of our court system to implement a meaningful treatment court option for these individuals.
“As elected officials, it is our duty to identify and address the issues affecting all of our constituents. Moving through recovery and taking care of a child can be taxing, physically and mentally, but we can lessen the load by encouraging the use of specific, knowledgeable courts.”
This bill is a part of the PA MOMNIBUS, a legislative package designed to put forward bills that would decrease maternal morbidity and mortality in Pennsylvania. The PA MOMNIBUS was established by the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, which is co-chaired by state Reps. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny.