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House amendments narrow exit rules for recovery residences and require data, grievance process
Summary
The committee reviewed House changes to S157 on recovery residences, including renaming language to "individuals with substance use disorder," limiting the immediate exit/transfer policy to certified residences, requiring a certified grievance process and new data collection/reporting standards; committee members noted privacy and safety trade-offs.
Committee staff outlined House amendments to S157, a bill addressing recovery residences. Key House changes include replacing the phrase "substance abusers" with "individuals with substance use disorder," narrowing the automatic-exit or transfer provisions so they apply only to certified recovery residences, and adding a mandatory grievance process approved by a certifying organization.
The House amendments also added a written-notice requirement for temporary removals or transfers that must set out the date, rationale and options for returning to the residence. Staff explained an exception to ordinary landlord-entry rules so that recovery residence employees may enter at reasonable times to carry out operations, and the committee discussed privacy concerns versus program safety needs.
The House preserved immediate-exit authorities for behaviors that "impact the health or safety of others" (examples listed include criminal offenses, theft, repeated refusal to engage in services, or violence). The draft requires certified recovery residences to collect exit/transfer data and report those elements to the department under new rulemaking standards.
Committee reaction: Members generally signaled support for the House revisions while raising privacy concerns related to broadened entry authority; several said the exception is appropriate given the facility-like nature of recovery residences. The committee indicated readiness to report the bill out with the House amendments after staff provides final language.
Next steps: Staff to circulate the cleaned-up language and the committee will consider final action at the next available floor or work session.
