This bill enhances the regulatory framework for sober living homes and halfway houses in New Jersey by clarifying the authority of the Department of Human Services (DHS) to license and oversee these residential substance abuse aftercare facilities. It introduces mandatory criminal history background checks for administrators, representative payees, and owners, disqualifying individuals with certain criminal convictions from employment or ownership roles. The bill also requires facilities to provide at least one week's notice before removing residents, except in cases where a resident poses an immediate threat. Furthermore, it mandates biweekly inspections of facilities under investigation for violations to ensure compliance and safety.

In addition to these provisions, the bill updates terminology by replacing "Commissioner of Health" with "Commissioner of Human Services" and establishes a registry managed by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to track available openings in licensed facilities. Facilities must report their openings daily, and the registry will be publicly accessible through the DHS website and the Statewide 2-1-1 telephone system. Overall, the bill aims to improve the quality of care in residential substance abuse facilities while safeguarding the rights and safety of residents.

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