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CC - Item IV F - AB 2317 (CHU) - Substance Abuse: Adult Recovery Maintenance Facilities - Support`y8 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL 7 FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER DATE: APRIL 9, 2002 RE: AB 2317 (CHU) - SUBSTANCE ABUSE: ADULT RECOVERY MAINTENANCE FACILITIES - SUPPORT Attached for the City Council's review are copies of AB 2317 (Chu), current bill status, and the complete bill history. This legislation requires the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (DADP) to administer licenses and regulate adult recovery maintenance facilities. These facilities provide alcohol-free or drug-free housing and structured programs for individuals seeking to maintain a sober lifestyle. Currently, California does not have licensing requirements for these facilities. The state should have oversight authority over adult recovery maintenance facilities to ensure the safety of facility clients and the surrounding neighborhood. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council take a position in support of AB 2317 and authorize the Mayor to sign letters of support. APR .;n,.9 2002 ITEM No; -CC-F AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED BILL NUMBER: AS 2317 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Chu FEBRUARY 21, 2002 An act to amend Sections 11834.01, 11834.02, 11834.09, 11834.10, 11834.15, 11834.17, 11834.18, 11834.20, 11834.21, 11834.22, 11834.23, 11834.24, 11834.25, 11834.26, 11834.29, 11834.30, 11834.31, 11834.32, 11834.36, and 11834.50 of, and to add Sections 11834.04, 11834.11, and 11834.265 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to substance abuse. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AS 2317, as introduced, Chu. Substance abuse: adult recovery maintenance facilities. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities serving adults, administered by the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. This bill would also require the department to administer the licensure and regulation of adult recovery maintenance facilities, as defined. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 11834.01 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.01. (a) The department has the sole authority in state government to license adult alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities and adult recovery maintenance facilities. ~(a - (b) In administering this chapter, the department shall issue new licenses for a period of two years to those programs that meet the criteria for licensure set forth in Section 11834.03. '3) ~r- (c) Onsite program visits for compliance shall be conducted at least once during the license period. ~e) (d) The department may conduct announced or unannounced site visits to facilities licensed pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of reviewing for compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations. (e) Except where otherwise directly stated or necessarily implied, all provisions of this chapter shall apply to adult alcoholism or drug abuse recovery treatment facilities, and to adult recovery maintenance facilities. (f) On or before July 1, 2003, the department, in consultation with providers of alcohol and other drug recovery, treatment, detoxification, and adult recovery maintenance services, county alcohol and drug program administrators, local government Page 1 of 8 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED jurisdictions, funding and referral organizations and agencies, and appropriate state agencies, shall develop and adopt emergency regulations governing the licensing and operation of adult recovery maintenance facilities. SEC. 2. Section 11834.02 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.02. (a) As used in this chapter, " the following terms have the following meanings: (1) ""Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility" mar "fa"4!ty" means any premises, place, or building that provides 24-hour residential nonmedical services to adults who are recovering from problems related to alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug misuse or abuse, and who -nee4 receive alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug recovery treatment or detoxification services. Fb) As U684 iR tA- ^ rtes" (2) "Adult recovery maintenance facility" means any facility, place, or building that provides alcohol- or drug-free housing whose rules, peer-led groups, staff activities, or other structured operations are directed toward maintenance of sobriety for adults in early recovery from substance abuse or who recently have completed alcoholism or drug-abuse recovery or treatment services who may be required by the licensee to receive those treatment services at another facility. This facility is designed to promote independent living in a supervised setting, but does not require staff onsite on a 24-hour-a-day basis, and does not provide professional recovery and treatment services onsite. (3) "Adults" may include, but is not limited to, all of the following: „ t4e- (A) Persons 18 years of age or older and their minor children. (2) (B) Emancipated minors, which may include, but is not limited to,-ere- persons under 18 years of age and their minor children. (4) "Emancipated minors" means persons under 18 years of age who have acquired emancipation status pursuant to Section 7002 of the Family Code. c'dr e' (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility may serve adolescents upon the issuance of a waiver granted by the department pursuant to regulations adopted under subdivision (c) of Section 11834.50. SEC. 3. Section 11834.04 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 11834.04. (a) Sober living homes are exempt from licensing. (b) As used in this section, "sober living homes" means homes that provide room or board, or both, and that require residents to abstain from using alcohol or illicit drugs but do not provide or require participation in any recovery maintenance activities nor maintain case management files as a condition of residency. SEC. 4. Section 11834.09 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.09. (a) Upon receipt of a completed written application, fire clearance, and licensing fee from the prospective licensee, and subject to the department's review and determination that the prospective licensee can comply with this chapter and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, the department may issue --a. the following licenses: (1) A single license to the following types of alcoholism or Page 2 of 8 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities: ~T (A) A residential facility. ' ~ "r (B) A facility wherein separate buildings or portions of a residential facility are integral components of a single alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility and all of the components of the facility are managed by the same licensee. (2) A single license to,an adult recovery maintenance facility. The department shall commence the licensure of adult recovery maintenance facilities only after the development and adoption of~ regulations pursuant to Section 11834.01. However, the licensing activity shall in no event commence later than January 1, 2004. Page 3 of 8 (b) Failure to submit a completed written application, fire clearance, and payment of the required licensing fee in a timely manner shall result in termination of the department's licensure review and shall require submission of a new application by the prospective licensee. (c) Failure of the prospective licensee to demonstrate the ability to comply with this chapter or the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter shall result in departmental denial of the prospective licensee's application for licensure. SEC. 5. Section 11834.10 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.10. A licensee shall not operate an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license. SEC. 6. Section 11834.11 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 11834.11. On and after January 1, 2004, no state or local social services, law enforcement, or corrections agency, or court, probation officer, or parole officer may refer any person to an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or-an adult recovery maintenance facility that is not licensed. SEC. 7. Section 11834.15 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.15. (a) The department shall calculate and establish the fee for initial licensure and for extension of the period of licensure. The nonrefundable licensing fee shall be calculated every two years based upon the department's cost in administering the licensure under this chapter for other than nonprofit organizations and local governmental entities. No fee shall be levied for licensure of nonprofit organizations or local governmental entities. (b) The license fee proceeds for adult alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities shall equal the department's cost in administering the licensure of these facilities. (c) The license fee proceeds for adult recovery maintenance facilities shall be sufficient to cover the department's cost in administering the licensure of these facilities, except to the extent that money appropriated for this purpose is provided in the annual Budget Act. (d) The department may assess civil penalties in accordance with Sections 11834.31 and 11834.34. SEC. S. Section 11834.17 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.17. No city, county, city and county, or district shall adopt or enforce any building ordinance or local rule or regulation relating to the subject of fire and life safety in alcoholism and drug abuse recovery facilities w"_` or adult recovery http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 4 of 8 maintenance facilities that is more restrictive than those standards adopted by the State Fire Marshal. SEC. 9. Section 11834.18 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.18. (a) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the imposition of rent regulations or controls for licensed alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities or adult recovery maintenance facilities. (b) Licensed alcoholism and drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities and adult recovery maintenance facilities shall not be subject to controls on rent imposed by any state or local agency or other local government or entity. SEC. 10. Section 11834.20 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.20. The Legislature hereby declares that it is the policy of this state that each county and city shall permit and encourage the development of sufficient numbers and types of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities and adult recovery maintenance facilities as are commensurate with local need. The provisions of this article apply equally to any chartered city, general law city, county, city and county, district, and any other local public entity. For the purposes of this article, "six or fewer persons" does not include the licensee, members of the licensee's family -ems- , persons employed as facility staff or minor dependents of the resident . SEC. 11. Section 11834.21 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.21. Any person licensed under this chapter who operates or proposes to operate an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility, the department or other public agency authorized to license such a facility, or any public or private agencywlim~eA that uses or may use the services of the facility to place its clients, may invoke the provisions of this article. This section shall-not be construed to prohibit any interested party from bringing suit to invoke the provisions of this article. SEC. 12. Section 11834.22 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.22. An alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility` or an adult recovery maintenance facility that serves six or fewer persons shall not be subject to any business taxes, local registration fees, use permit fees, or other fees to which other single-family dwellings are not likewise subject. Nothing in this section shall be construed to forbid the imposition of local property taxes, fees for water service and garbage collection, fees for inspections not prohibited by Section 11834.23, local bond assessments, and other fees, charges, and assessments to which other single-family dwellings are likewise subject. Neither the State Fire Marshal nor any local public entity shall charge any fee for enforcing fire inspection regulations pursuant to state law or regulation or local ordinance, with respect to alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities or adult recovery maintenance facilities which serve six or fewer persons. SEC. 13. Section 11834.23 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.23. Whether or not unrelated persons are living together, an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility that serves six or fewer persons shall be considered a residential use of property for the purposes of this article. In addition, the http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pubibill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED residents and operators of the facility shall be considered a family for the purposes of any law or zoning ordinance wia-si that relates to the residential use of property pursuant to this article. For the purpose of all local ordinances, an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility w"914 or an adult recovery maintenance facility that serves six or fewer persons shall not be included within the definition of a boarding house, rooming house, institution or home for the care of minors, the aged, or the mentally infirm, foster care home, guest home, rest home, sanitarium, mental hygiene home, or other similar term w"ei that implies that the alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment home or the adult recovery maintenance facility is a business run for profit or differs in any other way from a single-family residence. This section shall not be construed to forbid any city, county, or other local public entity from placing restrictions on building heights, setback, lot dimensions, or placement of signs of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility that serves six or fewer•persons as long as the restrictions are identical to those applied to other single-family residences. This section shall not be construed to forbid the application to an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility of any local ordinance '_h that deals with health and ' safety, building standards, environmental impact standards, or any other matter within the jurisdiction of a local public entity. However, the ordinance shall not distinguish alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities or adult recovery maintenance facilities that serve six or fewer persons from other single-family dwellings or distinguish residents of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities or adult recovery maintenance facilities from persons who reside in other single-family dwellings. No conditional use permit, zoning variance, or other zoning clearance shall be required of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilitywAingr or an adult recovery maintenance facility that serves six or fewer persons that is not required of a single-family residence in the same zone. Use of a single-family dwelling for purposes of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility serving six or fewer persons shall not constitute a change of occupancy for purposes of Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 17910) of Division 13 or local building codes. However, nothing in this section is intended to supersede Section 13143 or 13143.6, to the extent those sections are applicable to alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities or adult recovery maintenance facilities serving'six or fewer residents. SEC. 14. Section 11834.24 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.24. No fire inspection clearance or other permit, license, clearance, or similar authorization shall be denied to an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility because of a failure to comply with local ordinances from which the facility is exempt under Section 11834.23, if the applicant otherwise qualifies for a fire clearance, license,.permit, or similar authorization. SEC. 15. Section 11834.25 of the Health and Safety•Code is amended to read: 11834.25. (a) For the purposes of any contract, deed, or covenant for the transfer of real property executed on or after January 1, 1979, an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment Page 5 of 8 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED facility wiii9h that serves six or fewer persons shall be considered a residential use of property and a use of property by a single family, notwithstanding any disclaimers to the contrary. (b) For the purposes of any contract, deed, or covenant for the transfer of real property executed on or after January 1, 2003, an adult recovery maintenance facility that serves six or fewer persons shall be considered a residential use of property and a use of property by a single family, notwithstanding any disclaimers to the contrary. SEC. 16. Section 11834.26 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.26. (a) Ti; p. An alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility shall provide at least one of the following nonmedical services: (1) Recovery services. (2) Treatment services. (3) Detoxification services. (b) The department shall adopt regulations requiring records and procedures that are appropriate for each of the services specified in subdivision (a). The records and procedures may include all of the following: (1) Admission criteria. (2) Intake process. (3) Assessments. (4) Recovery, treatment, or detoxification planning. (5) Referral. (6) Documentation of provision of recovery, treatment or detoxification services. (7) Discharge and continuing care planning. (8) Indicators of recovery, treatment, or detoxification outcomes. (c) In the development of regulations implementing this section, the written record requirements shall be modified or adapted for social model programs. (d) This section shall not apply to adult recovery maintenance facilities. SEC. 17. Section 11834.265 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 11834.265. (a) An adult recovery maintenance facility shall provide, but not be limited to providing, any of the following recovery maintenance services: (1) Aftercare. (2) Referral to community recovery resources. (3) Peer-led groups. (4) Vocational guidance. (5) Referral to offsite alcoholism or other drug treatment services. (6) Documentation on progress made or services received from referral agencies. (b) The adult recovery maintenance facility may require, or provide, or both, drug and alcohol testing and self-help groups on or off the premises. (c) The facility shall maintain records in order to document the services provided. SEC. 18. Section 11834.29 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.29. Any licensee that provides Eeee~e,-y, tEeatffient, - a-~- recovery maintenance services, that is not in compliance with the requirements of this article, shall have one year from the effective date of the regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this article and pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 11834.50) to comply. In the event that the licensee fails to comply, the department shall Page 6 of 8 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED Page 7 of 8 take action against the licensee pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 11834.36). SEC. 19. Section 11634.30 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.30. No person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or local governmental entity shall operate, establish, manage,. conduct, or maintain an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility to provide recovery, treatment, ge#eii- detoxification, or recovery maintenance services within this state without first obtaining a current valid license issued pursuant to this chapter. SEC. 20. Section 11834.31 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.31. If a facility is alleged to be in violation of Section 11834.30, the department shall conduct a site visit to investigate the allegation. If the department's employee or agent finds evidence that the facility is providing alcoholism or drug abuse recovery, treatment, detoxification, or recovery maintenance services without a license, the employee or agent shall take the following actions: (a) Submit the findings of the investigation to the department. (b) Upon departmental authorization, issue a written notice to the facility stating that the facility is operating in violation of Section 11834.30. The notice shall include all of the following: (1) The date by which the facility shall cease providing services. (2) Notice that the department will assess against the facility a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200) per day for every day the facility continues to provide services beyond the date specified in the notice. (3) Notice that the case will be referred for civil proceedings pursuant to Section 11834.32 in the event the facility continues to provide services beyond the date specified in the notice. (c) Inform the facility of the licensing requirements of this chapter. SEC. 21. Section 11834.32 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.32. (a) The director may bring an action to enjoin the violation of Section 11834.30 in the superior court in and for the county in which the violation occurred. Any proceeding under this section shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, except that the director shall not be required to allege facts necessary to show or tending to show lack of adequate remedy at law or irreparable damage or loss. (b) With respect to any and all actions brought pursuant to this section alleging actual violation of Section 11834.30, the court shall, if it finds the allegations to be true, issue its order enjoining the alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or the adult recovery maintenance facility from continuance of the violation. SEC. 22. Section 11834.36 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.36. (a) The director may suspend or revoke any license issued under this chapter, or deny an application for licensure, for extension of the licensing period, or to modify the terms and conditions of a license, upon any of the following grounds and in the manner provided in this chapter: (1) Violation by the licensee of any provision of this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter. (2) Repeated violation by the licensee of any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant tolthis chapter. (3) Aiding, abetting, or permitting the violation of, or any http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asrn/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317 bi11_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - INTRODUCED repeated violation of, any of the provisions described in paragraph (1) or (2). (4) Conduct in the operation of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility that is inimical to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or to the people of the State of California. (5) Misrepresentation of any material fact in obtaining the alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility license or the adult recovery maintenance facility license. (6) Failure to pay any civil penalties assessed by the department. (b) The director may temporarily suspend any license prior to any hearing when, in the opinion of the director, the action is necessary to protect residents of the alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or the adult recovery maintenance facility from physical or mental abuse,. abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety. The director shall notify the licensee of the temporary suspension and the effective date of the temporary suspension and at the same time shall serve the provider with an accusation. Upon receipt of a notice of defense to the accusation by the licensee, the director shall, within 15 days, set the matter for hearing, and the hearing shall be held as soon as possible. The temporary suspension shall remain in effect until the time the hearing is completed and the director has made a final determination on the merits. However, the temporary suspension shall be deemed vacated if the director fails to make a final determination on the merits within 30 days after the department receives the proposed decision from the Office of Administrative Hearings. SEC. 23. Section 11834.50 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11834.50. The department shall adopt regulations to implement this chapter in accordance with the purposes required by Section . 11835. These regulations shall be adopted only after consultation with appropriate groups affected by the proposed regulations. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (a) Provision for a formal appeal process for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license. (b) Establishment of requirements for compliance, procedures for issuance of deficiency notices and civil penalties for noncompliance. (c) Provision for the issuance of a waiver for an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility or an adult recovery maintenance facility to serve not more than three adolescents, or 10 percent of the total licensed capacity, whichever is less, age 14 years and older, when a need exists and services specific to adolescents are otherwise unavailable. The regulations shall specify the procedures and criteria for granting the waiver. The procedures shall include, but not be limited to, criminal record reviews and fingerprinting. (d) Establishment of the elements and minimum requirements for ._1 f.F F.r.. ~4: f... recovery, treatment, 4;.J detoxification, and recovery maintenance services. (e) Provision for an expedited process for reviewing an application for licensure when a license is terminated pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 11834.40. Page 8 of 8 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub[bill/asm/ab_2301-2.../ab_2317_bill_20020221_introduced.htm 4/1/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - Status CURRENT BILL STATUS MEASURE A.B. No. 2317 AUTHOR(S) Chu. TOPIC Substance abuse: adult recovery maintenance facilities. HOUSE LOCATION ASM TYPE OF BILL : Active Non-Urgency Non-Appropriations Majority Vote Required Non-State-Mandated Local Program Fiscal Non-Tax Levy LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 03/07/2002 LAST HIST. ACTION Referred to Com. on HEALTH. COMM. LOCATION ASM HEALTH COMM. ACTION DATE 04/02/2002 COMM. ACTION Hearing postponed by committee. HEARING DATE 04/02/2002 TITLE An act 11834.10, 11834.21, 11834.26, 11834.36, 11834.11, relating to amend Sections 11834.01, 11834.02, 11834.09, 11834.15,- 11834.17, 11834.18, 11834.20, 11834.22, 11834.23, 11834.24, 11834.25, 11834.29, 11834.30, 11834.31, 11834.32, and 11834.50 of, and to add Sections 11834.04, and 11834.265 to, the Health and Safety Code, to substance abuse. Page 1 of 1 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/publbill/asm/ab_2301-2350/ab_2317_bill_20020326_status.html 4/l/2002 AB 2317 Assembly Bill - History COMPLETE BILL HISTORY BILL NUMBER : A.B. No. 2317 AUTHOR Chu TOPIC Substance abuse: adult recovery maintenance facilities. TYPE OF BILL : Active Non-Urgency Non-Appropriations Majority Vote Required Non-State-Mandated Local Program Fiscal Non-Tax Levy BILL HISTORY 2002 Mar. 7 Referred to Com. on HEALTH. Feb. 22 From printer. May be heard in committee March 24. Feb. 21 Read first time. To print. Page 1 of 1 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pubfbill/asmlab_2301-2350/ab_2317_bill_20020307_history.html 4/ 1 /2002 ASSEMBLYMEMBER JUDY CHU AB 2317 LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF ADULT RECOVERY MAINTENANCE FACILITIES THEPROBLEM Adult recovery maintenance facilities provide alcohol- or drug-free housing and structured programs for individuals seeking to maintain a sober lifestyle. California doesn't have licensing requirements for these facilities. The state should have oversight authority of these facilities to ensure the safety of its clients and surrounding communities. THE BILL This legislation.requires the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (DADP) to administer licenses and regulate adult recovery maintenance facilities. BACKGROUND In California, there are a variety of residential facilities designed to help individuals become or continue being sober and drums free. DADP licenses recovery or treatment facilities which are typically staffed 24-hours per day and are frequently based on a variety of social and medical models of treatment. In contrast, adult recovery maintenance facilities do not have a clear state mandate for the quality of their services or facilities. AB 2317 will ensure a safe environment for recovering addicts in their transition to sober living. Sponsor: California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources, Joe Yocca (916) 446-7505. This bill is scheduled to be heard in its first committee in mid April. If you support this legislation please send letters to: The Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, Assemblymember Helen Thompson, State Capitol 6005, Sacramento, CA 95814 Assemblymember Judy Chu, State Capitol 5126, Sacramento, CA 95814 For more information contact Julio Martinez (916) 319-2049