Sen. Markey and Reps. Jayapal, Larsen Announce Legislation to Expand Workforce Opportunities for Communities Impacted by Substance Use

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Washington (September 25, 2026) - In recognition of National Recovery Month, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today announced the reintroduction of the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act, legislation that would strengthen and expand grants for community partnerships that promote employment opportunities for workers in recovery and support communities affected by widespread substance use. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) lead the legislation in the House of Representatives.

"For National Recovery Month, we celebrate those working to achieve and maintain recovery from addiction, and everyone who helped them along the way. Especially as families struggle to get ahead, it's more important than ever that we help people in recovery overcome barriers to employment," said Senator Markey. "This legislation will strengthen community partnerships that connect people with good jobs, peer support, and mentorship, supporting lasting recovery and helping communities heal."

"Addiction and substance use are deeply tied to economic instability and the shortage of behavioral health professionals," said Congresswoman Jayapal. "Our bill takes these issues head on by investing in local organizations that help those affected by substance use gain employment and empower more people to pursue the behavioral health field. By promoting economic stability and increasing the number of healthcare specialists, we can get to the root of the substance abuse crisis and help communities across the country."

"The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities in Northwest Washington," said Rep. Larsen. "This legislation would break down barriers to employment for people in recovery and fund local organizations to address the nationwide behavioral health workforce shortage. I will keep working to get this bill over the finish line and to regain momentum in the fight against the opioid crisis."

"Substance use disorder has become a far too common barrier to employment," said Cole Angley, Massachusetts Workforce Association's Executive Director. "The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act filed by Sen. Markey builds upon a successful model and puts the necessary tools in the hands of workforce development professionals to help address these barriers with impacted job-seekers across Massachusetts and the nation."

The legislation would reauthorize, strengthen, and expand a pilot grant program first authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and later extended through the 2018 SUPPORT Act. The pilot grants have funded community partnerships that promote employment for individuals affected by substance use and those interested in professions that address the impacts of substance use across the country. The Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act would authorize $187.5 million to continue this lifesaving and community-strengthening work.

The legislation was first introduced by Senator Markey and Representatives Jayapal and Larsen in July 2024. Senator Markey has been supportive of increasing access to substance use disorder treatments such as methadone, as well as harm reduction tools. In June 2026, Senator Markey introduced the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 to improve access to treatment for opioid use disorder. In May 2026, Senator Markey wrote to Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of SAMHSA Christopher Carroll, urging the agency to reverse new guidance barring grant recipients from purchasing and distributing life-saving tools, such as fentanyl test strips, for people with substance use disorders.

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