This bill seeks to strengthen the regulation of sober living homes and halfway houses by clarifying the oversight responsibilities of the Department of Human Services (DHS) as it pertains to residential substance abuse aftercare. It introduces new definitions and amendments, including the transition of oversight from the Department of Health to DHS and from the Division of Alcoholism to the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The legislation specifies that residential aftercare facilities encompass transitional sober living homes and mandates background checks for administrators and staff to ensure resident safety. Additionally, it establishes protocols for resident removal, requiring a one-week notice unless there is an immediate safety threat, and mandates biweekly inspections for facilities under investigation.

Moreover, the bill outlines disqualification criteria for individuals seeking to operate or work in these facilities based on their criminal history, while allowing for the demonstration of rehabilitation to avoid disqualification. It also requires the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to create a public registry detailing the availability of openings in these facilities, including essential information such as names, addresses, and services provided. The costs of background checks will be borne by the individuals undergoing them, and regular inspections by DHS will be conducted to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the standards of care and safety in substance abuse treatment facilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2B-8, 26:2B-12, 26:2G-22, 26:2G-25, 26:2H-11.1