S. 500: Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry Act of 2025 (or CAREER Act of 2025), aims to provide support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders by enhancing their access to treatment, recovery programs, and employment opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Reauthorization of Treatment and Recovery Programs

The bill seeks to reauthorize and amend existing provisions under the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. Key updates include:

• The addition of "treatment, recovery, and workforce support grants" to the programs supported under the CAREER Act.
• Adjustments to how rates for drug overdose deaths, unemployment, and labor force participation are determined, specifically using averages from recent years (2018-2022).
• Authorization for entities receiving grants to allocate up to 5% of their funding for transportation services for individuals participating in supported activities, such as job training or recovery services.

Recovery Housing Pilot Program

The bill also aims to extend and enhance the Recovery Housing Pilot Program, which includes the following adjustments:

• Providing support for recovery housing until 2030.
• Updating the program's data references to focus on trends observed from 2018 to 2022.

Funding Allocations

The bill proposes to increase funding for these initiatives from $5 million to $12 million annually, covering fiscal years 2026 through 2030. This aims to ensure more resources are available for effective treatment and recovery efforts.

Program Goals

Overall, the goals of the CAREER Act of 2025 include:

• Reducing drug overdose deaths through improved access to treatment.
• Increasing employment outcomes for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.
• Enhancing support services that promote successful reentry into the workforce.

Additional Provisions

The legislation may require entities receiving grants to report on various employment and earnings outcomes related to the programs funded. Such oversight is intended to gauge the effectiveness of the support provided to individuals with substance use disorders.

Relevant Companies

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