Committee recommends funding pilot Soteria-style residential treatment program

The Health & Human Services Committee moved House Bill 115 as amended, recommending a due pass for a three‑year pilot to fund Soteria‑style residential treatment and related supports for people experiencing acute psychosis.

Witnesses included clinicians and operators with direct experience using Soteria principles — a relational, home‑like, low‑medication approach to treating psychosis. Proponents said Soteria models in other countries and replicated programs in the U.S. report substantially higher functional recovery rates than short-term hospitalization. “Countries that use relational approaches ... have approaching 80 percent recovery rates,” said Susan Musante, who described operating a Soteria house in another state.

Local providers and behavioral‑health operators, including Kiva Centers and licensed therapists, testified in support. They argued Soteria houses and peer-run respites provide a less coercive alternative to hospitalization or jail and can support longer-term recovery, family involvement and reintegration into work and school. Psychologist Al Galvez said that untreated or poorly treated psychosis contributes to a “revolving door” of hospitalization, homelessness and incarceration and that improved recovery rates would lower long-term social costs.

Committee action: The sponsor presented a technical amendment increasing three‑year funding to support pilot operations and the committee approved the amended bill; members recorded a 9–0 due‑pass recommendation.

Ending: Supporters asked lawmakers to fund evidence‑based residential and respite alternatives to hospitalization and jail; no opposition testimony was recorded at the hearing.