The proposed bill would significantly update current statutes regarding transitional housing facilities in Arizona by establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework. It would replace the two-year term of licensure for transitional housing facilities with the specification that transitional housing facility licenses do not expire and remain valid unless certain conditions apply. Additionally, it would remove the restriction of transitional housing facility licensure based on bed count and require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct annual inspections to verify compliance with related statutes and DHS rules. The bill also reduces the cap on civil penalties from $5,000 to $1,000 for each violation, and increases the notification time for a transitional housing facility to inform DHS of a resident's death or other incidents from eight hours to one business day. Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and requirements for "transitional housing facilities," including minimum standards for treatment participation, abstinence from drugs and alcohol, and policies for discharge planning. It mandates that any transitional housing facility previously licensed as a sober living home must become licensed as a transitional housing facility within 30 days of the effective date of DHS rules. The bill also requires the DHS to maintain a public database of licensed facilities and mandates immediate reporting of certain incidents, thereby enhancing the regulation and oversight of transitional housing to ensure public health and safety while supporting individuals in their reentry process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-414, 36-2061, 30-654, 32-1308, 32-2805, 36-405, 36-765.05, 36-766.06, 36-851.01, 36-882, 36-897.01, 36-1903, 36-2063, 36-4204, 35-190, 36-4201
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-414, 36-2061, 30-654, 32-1308, 32-2805, 36-405, 36-765.05, 36-766.06, 36-851.01, 36-882, 36-897.01, 36-1903, 36-2063, 36-4204, 35-190, 36-4201
House Engrossed Version: 36-414, 36-2061, 30-654, 32-1308, 32-2805, 36-405, 36-765.05, 36-766.06, 36-851.01, 36-882, 36-897.01, 36-1903, 36-2063, 36-4204, 35-190, 36-4202, 36-4201
Chaptered Version: 36-414, 36-2061, 30-654, 32-1308, 32-2805, 36-405, 36-765.05, 36-766.06, 36-851.01, 36-882, 36-897.01, 36-1903, 36-2063, 36-4204, 35-190, 36-4202, 36-4201