The bill amends various sections of the "Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979" to enhance regulations surrounding rooming and boarding houses, particularly focusing on cooperative sober living residences. Key definitions are updated, including the introduction of "cooperative sober living residence," which is defined as a boarding house for individuals recovering from addiction. The bill mandates that these residences must have two certified operators present during specific hours, enforce rules against substance use, and encourage participation in recovery programs. Additionally, it requires operators to report any incidents that jeopardize the health or safety of residents to the Department of Community Affairs.

The bill also establishes stricter licensing requirements for rooming and boarding houses, including a civil penalty for violations and a structured fee system for licensure. It mandates annual inspections of licensed facilities, with increased scrutiny for cooperative sober living residences, which must be inspected twice a year. The Department of Community Affairs is tasked with maintaining a public list of licensed cooperative sober living residences and ensuring transparency regarding inspection reports and any serious violations. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to support its implementation and outlines the timeline for its enactment.

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