A Resolution designating the week of July 20 through 24, 2026, as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jay Costa and 9 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania designates July 20–24, 2026 as Construction Opioid Awareness Week to promote industry-wide awareness, education, and prevention efforts on opioid risks.

Referred to Rules & Executive Nominations

Overview

Type: Senate Resolution (SR 353)

Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania

Session: 2025-2026

Introduced: July 8, 2026

Purpose: Designate a specific week in July 2026 as “Construction Opioid Awareness Week” and encourage construction industry outreach on opioid and prescription drug abuse, with related awareness and prevention activities.

Main Purpose and Intent

Officially designate July 20–24, 2026 as "Construction Opioid Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

Promote awareness of opioid and prescription drug abuse within the construction industry.

Encourage the construction industry to facilitate discussions, education, and prevention efforts among workers, and to support broader overdose and mental health crisis initiatives.

Key Provisions and Changes

Designation: The Pennsylvania Senate designates a one-week period (July 20–24, 2026) as Construction Opioid Awareness Week.

Advocacy and Outreach: Encourages industry entities to promote awareness of opioid dangers and prescription drug abuse to construction workers.

Education and Discussion: Endorses activities that facilitate conversations with workers about opioid risks and prescription drug issues.

Drug Take Back and Prevention: Encourages events and efforts such as “Drug Take Back” events to combat opioid and prescription drug abuse within the construction sector.

Naloxone and Resources: References ongoing efforts by construction associations to keep naloxone available on job sites and offices, and to provide naloxone resources to firms that request them (as part of the broader context of opioid safety).

Stakeholder Involvement: Lists and acknowledges a wide range of industry groups and associations that plan to promote awareness during the designated week (e.g., Keystone Contractors Association, National Safety Council, Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, various trade and contractor associations, unions, and regional councils).

Who/What Would Be Affected

Construction Industry in Pennsylvania: Firms, workers, contractors, unions, and trade associations involved in construction and related sectors.

Industry Organizations: A broad coalition of associations and unions that promote safety, opioid awareness, and prevention programs.

General Public and Worksites: Indirect impact through potential increases in on-site awareness, education, and participation in Drug Take Back and naloxone-related safety measures.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Legislative Action: Referred to Rules and Executive Nominations on July 8, 2026.

Effective Impact: As a resolution, this bill designates a week and does not impose new law or mandatory requirements; it serves as a formal acknowledgment and call to action for awareness activities during the specified week.

Observance Window: The designated week runs from July 20 to July 24, 2026.

Notes

The bill emphasizes the high impact of opioids on the construction sector, citing CDC data and related research showing elevated overdose risks in construction.

It aligns with broader national efforts (e.g., 988 hotline awareness, naloxone distribution) and encourages industry-specific deployment of these resources.

No funding or statutory mandates are described; the resolution focuses on designation, awareness, and advocacy within the industry.