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Committee approves bill requiring group-home operators to notify nearby neighbors
Summary
The committee advanced House Bill 485 (second substitute), which would require operators of regulated residential facilities to provide a contact card to neighbors within a 300-foot radius to improve communication and reduce stigma without disclosing private health information.
The committee gave a favorable recommendation to the second substitute of House Bill 485, Residential Notification Amendments, a measure that would require regulated residential facilities (group homes, recovery homes and similar residential treatment facilities) to provide a contact card to neighbors within a 300-foot radius describing the general nature of the facility and a point of contact.
Representative Fitzia Monlu, sponsor of the bill, described the requirement as a "plate of cookies" measure intended to improve neighborhood communication and reduce unnecessary police calls born of misinformation. The bill uses limited language to protect residents’ privacy: it does not require disclosure of numbers of residents, diagnoses or other sensitive information. Sponsors said the card must be distributed within 30 days of opening and that the bill does not alter existing licensing or permitting processes.
Committee members and witnesses representing industry and neighborhood groups expressed support; sponsors said the language was developed with the disability law center and operators to balance transparency and privacy. The committee voted unanimously to pass the second substitute with a favorable recommendation.
Votes at a glance: Second substitute House Bill 485 — favorable recommendation (unanimous).
The measure moves to the Senate floor for further consideration.
