HARRISBURG - A bill sponsored by state Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe, that would assist Pennsylvanians with drug addictions to receive treatment passed unanimously in the Senate last week. House Bill 220 now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Rader’s proposal would clarify that a person cannot be denied admission to a public or private treatment and rehabilitative facility based solely on a negative drug test. Facilities may still deny treatment for other than clinical reasons to those with a negative test.

“I look forward to my bill becoming law in the coming days and am hopeful it results in more people who are struggling with addiction getting the help they need,” said Rader. “The legislation stems from an unfortunate circumstance in my home district where a young man seeking treatment had been clean, but he may have been required to test positive for drug use to begin the rehabilitation process. He went out and used an opioid in an effort to provide a positive drug test and unfortunately suffered an overdose that killed him. My bill should prevent any similar confusion from ever happening to another person.”

The bill was amended by the Senate to authorize the creation of local suicide and/or overdose fatality review teams under the purview of local departments of health.

Gov. Tom Wolf has 10 days to sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without his signature. If signed, the new law would take effect in 60 days.