This bill amends the definition of a "recovery house" in RSA 153:10-d, II, and clarifies its treatment under zoning ordinances. The definition of a recovery house is changed by deleting the terms "residence" and "safe, healthy, family-like," and inserting "primarily non-transient dwelling or dwelling unit" and "living as a single household." The bill also specifies that recovery housing does not include a boarding house, a rooming house, a halfway house, or any other facility requiring a license pursuant to RSA 151.

Additionally, the bill amends RSA 674:17 by adding a new paragraph that mandates recovery houses, as newly defined, to be treated as single-family, 2-family, or multi-family uses within zoning ordinances, depending on the structure they are located in. These houses shall not be subject to special permitting or approval processes that are not required of other similar uses. Recovery houses must be certified or actively pursuing certification and achieve it within one year of operation. Operators must notify the local governing body at least 30 days before beginning operations, and the local governing body may verify certification and compliance with RSA 153 and RSA 155-A. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 541-A:11, 541-A:16
As Amended by the House: 153:10-d, 674:17