Louisiana Senate Bill SR216

Louisiana 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/14/18
• Passed: 5/15/18

Caption

Requests the study of possible uses for the money recovered from the opioid lawsuit.

Impact

The resolution aims to provide a framework for understanding how funds recovered from opioid-related lawsuits can be utilized to benefit local communities. The opioid crisis has significantly burdened local governments with rising costs in social services, education, and healthcare, as communities grapple with increased demands for foster care and medical treatment for addiction. By channeling these settlements into areas most affected by the crisis, the state hopes to mitigate the public health challenges posed by opioid addiction and provide much-needed relief to local programs.

Summary

Senate Resolution 216, proposed by Senator Morrell, aims to address the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States and its impact on public health in Louisiana. The resolution urges the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs to collaborate on studying and recommending potential uses for settlement funds recovered from opioid lawsuits. Given that the state of Louisiana is presently engaged in opioid litigation, this resolution seeks to ensure that any proceeds from these legal actions are allocated effectively to alleviate the societal costs associated with the epidemic.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SR216 appears supportive among legislators, particularly those attentive to the implications of the opioid epidemic. There is a shared recognition that effective use of opioid settlement funds could provide essential resources for communities coping with addiction’s repercussions. While explicit points of contention were not detailed, discussions related to funding allocations typically raise concerns about transparency and accountability, ensuring funds are directed toward effective programs rather than contributing to administrative overhead.

Contention

While SR216 does not suggest specific allocations, it raises critical considerations about the joint efforts of state and local governments in managing and documenting the impact of opioid addiction. The resolution highlights the need for thorough accounting methods to avoid double counting shared costs. This aspect may lead to varying interpretations of how best to document and utilize the funds, potentially causing discussions among stakeholders regarding priorities and implementation strategies.