The bill amends the "Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979" to enhance the regulation of cooperative sober living residences in New Jersey. Key provisions include the introduction of a definition for "cooperative sober living residence," which is described as a boarding house for individuals recovering from addiction. The bill increases the maximum civil penalty for licensing violations from $5,000 to $25,000 and mandates that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) maintain a publicly accessible list of licensed cooperative sober living residences, including their locations and contact information. Additionally, it requires two unannounced inspections per year for these residences to ensure compliance with established standards.

The bill also establishes specific reporting requirements for incidents that may jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of residents or staff, necessitating immediate notification to the DCA and a detailed written report within five working days. Incidents that must be reported include serious injuries, deaths, outbreaks of communicable diseases, and any alleged crimes affecting the residence. Furthermore, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with health and human services officials, is tasked with implementing regulations that require sober living residences to employ qualified staff, prohibit substance use, conduct random drug testing, and provide counseling and group sessions focused on recovery.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 55:13B-3, 55:13B-7, 55:13B-9