By Hank Russell
A bill that one local official said would have helped address substance abuse issues in the workplace was one of the pieces of legislation that was vetoed, much to his dismay.
On December 19, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed the Recovery Ready Workplace Act, which would have helped employers develop workplace policies that would have supported workers who are in recovery for substance abuse issues and allowed companies to be certified as a recovery ready workplace.
According to the legislation, the Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS), in coordination with the state Labor Department, would be required to establish this program and establish an application process for employers tobecome voluntarily certified as a recovery ready workplace; develop orientation materials; provide consultation, technical assistance, training, and education; conduct outreach to stakeholders; and establish a program webpage.
Hochul vetoed the bill, saying the financial impact would be $2.5 million — money that has not been taken into consideration for the state’s budget. “I recognize the important role employment can play for individuals in recovery by offering stability through structure, financial support, and purpose,” she said. “The bill would be more appropriately considered in the context of the budget process.”
Keith Brown (R,C-Northport), who cosponsored the Assembly version of the bill sponsored by Phil Steck (D-Schenectady), said he was “deeply disappointed” by the veto, considering that the legislation was unanimously approved, and the legislation could have been funded another way.
“As a co-sponsor of this bill, I believe that the financial costs could be covered by the existing Opioid Settlement money and put off any further by having to wait another year for the next Budget cycle,” Brown said. “This would be an excellent use of that money to prevent people from using to begin with.”