Madden measure to expand treatment programs for opioid use disorder sent to governor’s desk
Gives county jails funding, access to all FDA-approved medications for substance use disorder
Rep. Maureen E. Madden November 12, 2025 | 2:32 PM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – Legislation authored by Rep. Maureen Madden (D-Monroe) to expand access to treatment programs for opioid use disorder across Pennsylvania’s county jails is heading to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk to be signed into law.
Madden’s legislation expands the Non-Narcotic Medication Assisted Substance Abuse Treatment Grant Program to include all FDA-approved medications to treat substance use disorders. Currently, county jails only have access to naltrexone to treat incarcerated individuals battling substance abuse. Through this measure, Pennsylvania’s county jails will have the flexibility they have long sought to expand evidence-based treatment tailored to the specific needs of individuals with substance use disorders. By allowing grant funds to be used for all FDA-approved medications, counties can better meet local needs and make more effective use of funding that has previously gone underutilized.
“This is life-saving legislation. We know 77 percent of inmates who receive medication-assisted treatment maintain sobriety following release,” Madden said. “This will be a great tool for county jails to use to help incarcerated people detox in a safe manner and overcome their opioid use disorder while also reducing recidivism rates.”
According to a 2022 report by the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, only 16 of 62 PA county jails offer naltrexone, while 9 of 62 do not offer any form of medication for opioid use disorder. While naltrexone has been helpful in treating substance use, it is not as effective as other forms of medication.
“This program works. Our State Correctional Institutions offer all forms of medication-assisted treatment to their inmates and have seen record levels of success in saving lives and keeping people from returning to prison,” Madden added. “Now we can provide the same aid to our county jails, who have been asking for this help. This strong, bipartisan effort will provide a more equitable and effective response to substance use disorders.”
Madden’s legislation, which previously passed the House in May, was included in the fiscal code that passed both the House and Senate Wednesday. It now heads to Gov. Shapiro’s desk for his signature.