House Passes National Rehabilitation Commission Act

By H Matthew Turry

In an effort to address the growing national challenge of rehabilitation and social reintegration of vulnerable groups across the country, the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 has unanimously  passed “An Act to Establish the National Rehabilitation Commission of Liberia (NRC).

The bill, which is entitled ‘The National Rehabilitation Commission of Liberia (NRC), was introduced by Montserrado County Electoral District #5 Representative Prescilla A. Cooper, seeks to establish the NRC as a centralized body responsible for coordinating national rehabilitation programs for drug dependents, war victims, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, prostitutes, orphaned and abandoned children, and disaster victims.

The passage of the bill followed a comprehensive report from an Ad Hoc Committee constituted to review and analyse the proposed legislation. The committee’s report highlighted that the establishment of the Commission is both necessary and commendable, as it addresses critical social protection gaps within Liberia’s governance and welfare systems.

The Plenary’s decision was based on a motion by Margibi County Electoral District #3 Representative Hon. Ellen A. Attoh Wreh following the reading of a report submitted by the Ad Hoc Committee.

In the report, the committee stated that the bill’s laudable objectives are to provide care, rehabilitation, vocational training, and social reintegration.

Providing background and justification to its report, the Committee said, “The bill correctly identifies a national crisis fuelled by drug abuse, the psycho-social aftermath of civil war, and the existence of multiple vulnerable populations not adequately served by existing agencies like the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Liberia Refugees Repatriation and Resettlement Commission.

Stating, “The proposal for a unified body to coordinate rehabilitation efforts is a logical and necessary response to a fragmented system.

In its findings, the Committee noted that after a careful scrutiny of the bill, there are some positive aspects of the bill if enacted that will promote government image in providing social services and care for its citizens, especially the vulnerable population.

“Some of these takeaways include, the Broad Mandate of the Commission The bill recognizes that rehabilitation extends beyond drug dependency to include war trauma, age, disability, and poverty,” the Committee said.

The Committee in its report furthered by saying, “The plan to establish centers in all 15 counties is laudable for an equitable service delivery.

“The inclusion of Magistrates to inspect centers and protect against torture and ill-treatment is a best practice model aligned with international human rights standards,” the Committee noted.

The Committed also said “Objectives to enhance employability and use the productive potential of persons undergoing rehabilitation (Sections 3(1)g & h) are forward-thinking and essential for sustainable recovery, and, the provisions for the confidentiality of records to protect the dignity and privacy of beneficiaries is cardinal and worth consideration.

In conclusion of the report, the Committee crave the Plenary indulgence for the passage of the bill to address the issue of rehabilitation of drugs victims, drugs dependents, orphanages, and abandoned children, persons with disabilities, including advanced aged (70), victims of crime, retired persons who are vulnerable to society and disaster victims under this Commission.

The bill has been forwarded to the Liberian Senate where it is expected to be debated; and when passed will be forwarded to the President for signature to become law after it has been printed into hand bill by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Until these processes are met, it is not law

Speaking to legislative reporters, Montserrado County Electoral District #5 Representative Prescilla A. Cooper expressed gratitude to her colleagues for the passes of the National Rehabilitation Commission of Liberia (NRC), act which was submitted her.

She expressed confident that the Liberian Senate will concur to pass it into law following the signing of the president.