Legislature passes recovery through employment legislation

Empowering businesses to play a greater role in Kentucky’s substance use disorder crisis is the goal for a measure that passed through the General Assembly on one of the final days of the legislative session Tuesday.

Senate Bill 191, which included the recovery through employment bill sponsored by Senator Matt Castlen, requires the state to develop a framework and educational resources to support businesses that voluntarily implement employer-facilitated treatment programs for substance use disorders.

The bill language is permissive in that it only impacts those employers who choose to participate in the program. The legislation encourages the retention and hiring of employees struggling with a substance use disorder by relieving fully compliant employers of liabilities associated with negligent hiring, retention, or supervision.

“This legislation recognizes the impact the addiction crisis has on the economy and workforce and the role meaningful employment has in the addiction recovery process,” Kentucky Chamber Vice President of Public Affairs Kate Shanks said. “The legislation will support employers who want to help those in recovery.”

The bill now heads to the governor for his consideration.