HARRISBURG, PA — State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, has introduced legislation aimed at supporting mothers recovering from substance use disorders. House Bill 1192 seeks to establish a mother’s treatment court pilot program designed to provide targeted support and resources for women navigating the challenges of both recovery and parenting.
Pielli cited alarming statistics revealing that between 30% and 49% of new mothers use substances such as alcohol, cocaine, or prescription drugs to manage postpartum depression, stress, and anxiety. However, approximately 10% of these mothers are unable to seek treatment due to barriers such as lack of childcare, abusive relationships, or unresolved past trauma. These challenges often leave recovering mothers vulnerable and unsupported.
“As a former correctional officer and counselor, I have seen the devastating result these barriers can produce with incarceration,” Pielli said. “Later, as a past criminal defense attorney, I represented clients in Drug Court, Veterans Court, and Mental Health Court. I noticed the unique challenges and roadblocks that mothers, especially single moms, face during their recovery, as well as the failure of our court system to implement a meaningful treatment court option for these individuals.”
The mother’s treatment court pilot program would be designed to empower mothers to overcome these challenges by providing specialized court resources tailored to their unique needs. The goal is to reduce incarceration among mothers, improve recovery outcomes, and create pathways for them to re-enter society with confidence.
This proposed initiative is part of the broader PA MOMNIBUS legislative package, aimed at addressing maternal morbidity and mortality in Pennsylvania. The PA MOMNIBUS was established by the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, co-chaired by state Reps. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny.
“As elected officials, it is our duty to identify and address the issues affecting all of our constituents,” said Pielli. “Moving through recovery and taking care of a child can be taxing, physically and mentally, but we can lessen the load by encouraging the use of specific, knowledgeable courts.”
By connecting H.B. 1192 to the comprehensive efforts of the PA MOMNIBUS, Pielli hopes to tackle systemic barriers in the judicial and healthcare systems, ensuring mothers in recovery receive compassionate, effective support tailored to their circumstances. This legislative initiative highlights the importance of addressing maternal health as a critical component of broader public health and social justice efforts.
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