LCAR approves new certification rule for recovery services organizations funded by Vermont Department of Health

The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules on Jan. 30 approved a new rule (24P21) establishing certification requirements for recovery services organizations that receive state or federal funding through the Vermont Department of Health.

Natalie Weil, policy advisor for the Department of Health, said the filing creates a certification process and sets requirements for any recovery services organization that receives Health Department funding to provide recovery support services. "This is a completely new rule," Weil said. "There's never been certification requirements established for recovery services organizations, through rulemaking." Weil added that the department worked with dozens of stakeholders, including 12 recovery centers it currently funds, and incorporated comments from Legislative Counsel in a Jan. 28 memorandum.

Weil and a subject-matter expert, Nicole Rao Minagai, were available to answer technical questions. A committee member asked when certification requirements were last updated; Weil reiterated that this is the first time the requirements are being established by rule rather than by grant agreement.

A motion to approve the Department of Health Recovery Services Organization rule as modified by the Jan. 28, 2025 memorandum was made and the committee approved the rule. The transcript records no public comments for or against the rule during the committee meeting and no vote tallies beyond the committee's recorded ayes were captured in the meeting record.

The new rule will move recovery-services certification requirements from grant agreements into permanent rule language for organizations that receive Department of Health funding, with the department citing stakeholder support for the proposed standards.