CS/SB 210 (Harrell) modifies requirements for licensed substance abuse service providers offering treatment to individuals living in recovery residences. The following substances may not be used on the premises of a provider licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF): 

•Alcohol;

•Marijuana, including marijuana certified by a qualified physician for medical use;

•Illegal drugs; and

•Prescription drugs when used by persons other than for whom the medication is prescribed. 

The bill further prohibits referrals from licensed service providers to recovery residences that allow the use of such substances on the premises and requires service providers to provide proof of a prohibition on the use of such substances in applications for licensure with the DCF. Moreover, referrals to a recovery residence must include placement into the licensed housing component of a service provider’s day or night treatment program, regardless of whether the housing component is affiliated with the service provider. This will ensure that all patients referred to a recovery residence are also referred into licensed community housing as part of treatment. The bill makes it a second-degree misdemeanor for any person discharged from a recovery residence to willfully refuse to depart after being warned by an owner or authorized employee of the residence. Additionally, the bill requires the DCF to establish a mechanism for imposing and collecting fines arising from failed recovery residence inspections and improper referrals made by licensed service providers, no later than January 1, 2024.

Effective date: July 1, 2023. (Taggart)