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Senate committee hears support and concern for bill to certify sober living homes
Summary
Lawmakers and stakeholders at an Executive Departments and Administration committee hearing debated a bill that would require certification and paid house managers for sober living homes and give enforcement authority to municipalities and DHHS; witnesses and operators urged further stakeholder work to refine the language.
Sen. Kevin Nabard, prime sponsor of Senate Bill 298, told the Senate Executive Departments and Administration (EDNA) Committee that the bill would require sober living houses to be certified by the New Hampshire Coalition of Recovery Residences, verify resident eligibility and employ a paid house manager, and would give enforcement authority to municipalities and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Sponsors and witnesses said they want the state to protect residents and neighborhoods while avoiding unintended barriers to recovery housing. "We want to encourage people in sobriety," Sen. Kevin Nabard said, adding that the bill might need work and could be referred for further discussion.
Nut graf: The bill drew support from operator groups and certifiers who said standards and oversight are needed to address bad actors, while operators and advocates warned some proposed requirements—especially…
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