The bill is on its way to the Governor’s Desk
The Florida Senate today passed comprehensive legislation (SB 900/HB 369) relating to substance abuse services, including recovery residences (also known as “sober homes”) sending the measure to Governor DeSantis.
Senator Kevin Rader (D-Boca Raton), a strong supporter and cosponsor of this legislation helped move it through two committees of which he is a member.
“Having seen the ravages of addiction and the direct impacts it can have on Florida families, this bill is personally important to me and I am proud to have been a part of its passage,” said Senator Rader. “We strengthened the law to ensure safer, more secure and more effective sober homes.”
The legislation addresses a number of issues related to sober homes, including amending the definition of “recovery residence” to include the community housing component of a licensed day or night treatment facility with community housing; allowing a certified recovery residence that has a discharge policy approved by the credentialing entity to transfer or discharge residents from the recovery residence in accordance with that policy; and strengthening provisions related to patient brokering and deceptive marketing practices in sober homes.
The bill also amends background screening for substance abuse treatment provider personnel by expanding the screened offenses for owners, directors, and chief financial officers of a certified recovery residence seeking certification; and requiring a level 2 background screening for peer specialists with direct contact with individuals receiving services.
Palm Beach County has been ground zero for sober homes, having proliferated in recent years throughout the area. “I strongly support the hard work of State Attorney Dave Aronberg, the County Commission and local municipalities for joining the effort and am grateful for their support,” said Senator Rader.
