Senate passes Joel Archer substance abuse intervention bill unanimously
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Summary
The West Virginia Senate passed an engrossed committee substitute (House Bill) described on the floor as the "Joel Archer Substance Abuse Intervention Act," with proponents saying it provides families another tool to seek treatment for loved ones struggling with addiction; the floor vote was 34-0 and a title amendment was adopted.
The West Virginia Senate on April 11 passed an engrossed committee substitute for a House bill that a floor sponsor described as the Joel Archer Substance Abuse Intervention Act, voting 34-0 on passage.
The junior senator from the seventh told colleagues the legislation — "in the exact same form as it left this body" and consistent with Senate Bill 761 — addresses substance abuse and "gives family members an additional tool to get loved ones the help they need." He urged passage. The senator described the bill as important to address "the scourge of substance abuse plaguing our state."
Senator from Fayette spoke in support and referenced testimony in the House by Stacey Archer, the mother of Joel Archer, saying she had testified before the House Health Committee and on the Senate side and had worked on long-term recovery efforts in Charleston and the state. Fayette said she would "be so glad to hit this green button on this vote."
The Senate clerk recorded the passage as 34 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent. After passage Senator Stewart moved and the Senate adopted a title amendment by voice vote; the presiding officer declared the title amendment adopted and directed the clerk to communicate action to the House.
The floor statements characterized the bill as a tool to assist families seeking intervention for loved ones with substance use disorder; the transcript does not record the detailed text of the bill or subsequent implementation steps on the Senate floor beyond passage and the title amendment adoption.