Bill > HB1528

This bill establishes the Grand-family Assistance Program, which provides financial support to grandparents who are primary caregivers for grandchildren while the children's parents are participating in opioid use disorder treatment. The program will offer one-time grants of up to $1,000 for the first child and $500 for each additional child (with a maximum of $2,000) to area agencies on aging, which will then reimburse eligible grand-families for expenses related to child care. To qualify, the grandparent must be at least 40 years old, have a legal relationship to the child, and have a household income not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. Importantly, the program is specifically designed to support families affected by the opioid crisis by helping grandparents care for grandchildren while parents seek treatment, and it will be funded through various sources including potential appropriations, federal money, grants, and the Opioid Settlement Restricted Account. The Department of Aging will manage the program, develop guidelines, and provide annual reports to legislative committees, with the goal of supporting individuals in recovery and providing comprehensive wrap-around services to affected families.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1528