The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Appropriations
BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180
INTRODUCER: Appropriations Committee; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services;
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and Senator Harrell
SUBJECT: Substance Abuse Treatment
DATE: February 26, 2024
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Hall Tuszynski CF Fav/CS
2. Sneed McKnight AHS Fav/CS
3. Sneed Sadberry AP Fav/CS
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 amends the definition of certified recovery residences to distinguish
residences based on the level of care provided at the facility, to include:
Level I: homes that house individuals in recovery who are post-treatment, with a minimum
of nine months of sobriety. These homes are run by the members who reside in them.
Level II: homes that provide oversight from a house manager (typically a senior resident).
Residents are expected to follow rules outlined in a resident handbook, pay dues, and work
toward achieving milestones.
Level III: homes that offer 24-hour supervision by formally trained staff and peer-support
services for residents.
Level IV: homes that are offered, referred to, or provided to patients by licensed services
providers. The patients receive intensive outpatient and higher levels of outpatient care.
These homes are staffed 24 hours a day.
The bill prohibits any recovery residence from denying an individual access to the residence
solely on the basis the individual had been prescribed federally approved medication for the
treatment of substance use disorders.
The bill prohibits a local law, ordinance, or regulation from regulating the duration or frequency
of a resident stay and exempts certified recovery residences from any transient rental taxes.
REVISED: BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 2
The bill allows the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to issue one license for all
eligible service components operated by a service provider that offers a continuum of accessible
and quality substance abuse prevention, intervention, and clinical treatment services, rather than
an individual license for each service component.
The bill has no fiscal impact on state and local government revenues and expenditures.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
II. Present Situation:
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including
alcohol and illicit drugs.
1
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD) is based on
evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria.
2
SUD
occurs when an individual chronically uses alcohol or drugs, resulting in significant impairment,
such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or
home.
3
Repeated drug use leads to changes in the brain’s structure and function that can make a
person more susceptible to developing a substance use disorder.
4
Among people aged 12 or older in 2021, 61.2 million people (or 21.9 percent of the population)
used illicit drugs in the past year.
5
The most commonly used illicit drug was marijuana, which
52.5 million people used.
6
In the past year:
7
Nearly 2 in 5 young adults aged 18 to 25 used illicit drugs;
1 in 3 young adults aged 18 to 25 used marijuana;
9.2 million people aged 12 and older misused opioids;
46.3 million people aged 12 and older (16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable
DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder, including 29.5 million who were
1
The World Health Organization, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, available at https://www.afro.who.int/health-
topics/substance-abuse (last visited February 7, 2024); See also The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), The Science
of Drug Use and Addiction: The Basics, available at https://archives.nida.nih.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-use-
addiction-basics (last visited January 30, 2024).
2
The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, Substance Use Disorder, available at
https://www.naatp.org/resources/clinical/substance-use-disorder (last visited January 30, 2024).
3
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator (The SAMHSA), Substance Use Disorders, available at
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disorders (last visited January 30, 2024).
4
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing, Brain Plasticity in Drug Addiction: Burden and Benefit, available at
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/brain-plasticity-in-drug-addiction-burden-and-benefit-
2020062620479#:~:text=Experience-
dependent%20learning%2C%20including%20repeated%20drug%20use%2C%20might%20increase,drug%20use%2C%20w
here%20people%20ignore%20the%20negative%20consequences (last visited February 7, 2024).
5
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021, available at
https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-
illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html (last visited January 30, 2024).
6
Id.
7
Id. BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 3
classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million who were classified as having a
drug use disorder. The percentage was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25.
Substance Abuse Treatment in Florida
In the early 1970s, the federal government enacted laws creating formula grants for states to
develop continuums of care for individuals and families affected by substance abuse.
8
The laws
resulted in separate funding streams and requirements for alcoholism and drug abuse. In response
to the laws, the Florida Legislature enacted chs. 396 and 397, F.S., relating to alcohol and drug
abuse, respectively.
9
Each of these laws governed different aspects of addiction, and thus, had
different rules promulgated by the state to fully implement the respective pieces of legislation.
10
However, because persons with substance abuse issues often do not restrict their misuse to one
substance or another, having two separate laws dealing with the prevention and treatment of
addiction was cumbersome and did not adequately address Florida’s substance abuse problem.
11
In 1993, legislation was adopted to combine chs. 396 and 397, F.S., into a single law, the Hal S.
Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act (Marchman Act).
12
The Marchman Act encourages individuals to voluntarily seek services within the existing
financial and space capacities of a service provider.
13
However, denial of addiction is a prevalent
symptom of SUD, creating a barrier to timely intervention and effective treatment.
14
As a result,
treatment typically must stem from a third party providing the intervention needed for SUD
treatment.
15
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) administers a statewide system of safety-net
services for substance abuse and mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery for children
and adults who are otherwise unable to obtain these services. Services are provided based on
state and federally-established priority populations.
16
The DCF provides treatment for SUD
through a community-based provider system offering detoxification, treatment, and recovery
support for individuals affected by substance misuse, abuse, or dependence.
17
8
The DCF, Baker Act and Marchman Act Project Team Report for Fiscal Year 2016-2017, p. 4-5. (on file with the Senate
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee).
9
Id.
10
Id.
11
Id.
12
Chapter 93-39, s. 2, L.O.F., codified as ch. 397, F.S.
13
See ss. 397.601(1) and (2), F.S., An individual who wishes to enter treatment may apply to a service provider for voluntary
admission. Within the financial and space capabilities of the service provider, the individual must be admitted to treatment
when sufficient evidence exists that he or she is impaired by substance abuse and his or her medical and behavioral
conditions are not beyond the safe management capabilities of the service provider.
14
Darran Duchene and Patrick Lane, Fundamentals of the Marchman Act, Risk RX, Vol. 6 No. 2 (Apr. – Jun. 2006) State
University System of Florida Self-Insurance Programs, available at https://flbog.sip.ufl.edu/risk-rx-article/fundamentals-of-
the-marchman-act/ (last visited January 18, 2024)(hereinafter cited as “fundamentals of the Marchman Act”).
15
Id.
16
See ch. 394 and 397, F.S.
17
The DCF, Treatment for Substance Abuse, available at https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/samh/treatment (last visited
January 18, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 4
Detoxification Services: Detoxification services use medical and clinical procedures to assist
individuals as they withdraw from the physiological and psychological effects of substance
abuse.
18
Treatment Services: Treatment services
19
include a wide array of assessment, counseling,
case management, and support that are designed to help individuals who have lost their
abilities to control their substance use on their own and require formal, structured
intervention and support.
20
Recovery Support: Recovery support services, including transitional housing, life skills
training, parenting skills, and peer-based individual and group counseling, are offered during
and following treatment to further assist individuals in their development of the knowledge
and skills necessary to maintain their recovery.
21
Licensure of Substance Abuse Service Providers
The DCF regulates substance use disorder treatment by licensing individual treatment
components under ch. 397, F.S., and Rule 65D-30, F.A.C. Licensed service components include
a continuum of substance abuse prevention
22
, intervention
23
, and clinical treatment services.
24
Clinical treatment is a professionally directed, deliberate, and planned regimen of services and
interventions that are designed to reduce or eliminate the misuse of drugs and alcohol and
promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
25
“Clinical treatment services” include, but are not limited
to, the following licensable service components:
Addictions receiving facility.
Day or night treatment.
Day or night treatment with community housing.
Detoxification.
Intensive inpatient treatment.
Intensive outpatient treatment.
Medication-assisted treatment for opiate addiction.
Outpatient treatment.
Residential treatment.
26
18
The DCF, Treatment for Substance Abuse, available at https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/samh/treatment (last visited
January 18, 2024).
19
Id. Research indicates that persons who successfully complete substance abuse treatment have better post-treatment
outcomes related to future abstinence, reduced use, less involvement in the criminal justice system, reduced involvement in
the child-protective system, employment, increased earnings, and better health.
20
Id.
21
Id.
22
Section 397.311(26)(c), F.S. “Prevention” is defined as “a process involving strategies that are aimed at the individual,
family, community, or substance and that preclude, forestall, or impede the development of substance use problems and
promote responsible lifestyles.” See also The DCF, Substance Abuse Prevention, available at
https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/samh/substance-abuse-prevention (last visited January 19, 2024).
23
Section 397.311(26)(b), F.S. “Intervention” is defined as “structured services directed toward individuals or groups at risk
of substance abuse and focused on reducing or impeding those factors associated with the onset or the early stages of
substance abuse and related problems.”
24
Section 397.311(26), F.S.
25
Section 397.311(26)(a), F.S.
26
Section 397.311(26)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 5
Recovery Residences
Recovery residences (also known as “sober homes, “sober living homes,” “Oxford Houses,” or
“Halfway Houses”) are non-medical settings designed to support recovery from substance use
disorders, providing a substance-free living environment commonly used to help individuals
transition from highly structured residential treatment programs back into their day-to-day lives
(e.g., obtaining employment and establishing more permanent residence).
27
Virtually all
encourage or require attendance at 12-step mutual-help organizations like Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), but recovery homes have varying degrees of
structure and built-in programmatic elements, including:
28
Length of Stay: some may have a limited or otherwise predetermined, length of stay, while
others may allow individuals to live there for as long as necessary provided they follow the
house rules.
Monitoring: some, but not all, provide monitoring to maintain substance-free, recovery-
supportive living environments and help facilitate house members’ progress by implementing
a number of rules and requirements (i.e., mutual-help organization attendance, attendance at
house meetings, curfews, restrictions on outside employment, and limits on the use of
technology). Typically as individuals successfully follow these rules over time, restrictions
become more lenient and individuals have greater latitude in their choices both in and outside
of the recovery residence.
Size: while recovery residences range in the number of individuals living there at any given
time, there are typically at least 6-8 residents of the same gender.
A recovery residence is defined as “a residential unit, the community housing component of a
licensed day or night treatment facility with community housing, or other form of group housing,
which is offered or advertised through any means, including oral, written, electronic, or printed
means, by any person or entity as a residence that provides a peer-supported, alcohol-free, and
drug-free living environment.”
29
Recovery residences can be located in single-family and two-family homes, duplexes, and
apartment complexes. Most recovery residences are located in single-family homes, zoned in
residential neighborhoods.
30
To live in a recovery residence, occupants may be required to pay a
monthly fee or rent, which supports the cost of maintaining the home. Generally, recovery
residences provide short-term residency, typically a minimum of at least 90 days. However, the
27
Recovery Research Institute, Recovery Residences, available at https://www.recoveryanswers.org/resource/recovery-
residences/ (last visited January 31, 2024). Substance abuse prevention is achieved through the use of ongoing strategies such
as increasing public awareness and education, community-based processes and evidence-based practices. These prevention
programs are focused primarily on youth, and, in recent years, have shifted to the local level, giving individual communities
the opportunity to identify their own unique prevention needs and develop action plans in response. This community focus
allows prevention strategies to have a greater impact on behavioral change by shifting social, cultural, and community
environments.
28
Id.
29
Section 397.311(38), F.S.
30
Hearing before the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of
Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, Sept. 28, 2018, available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-
115hhrg33123/html/CHRG-115hhrg33123.htm. See also The National Council for Behavioral Health, Building Recovery:
State Policy Guide for Supporting Recovery Housing, available at https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-
content/uploads/2018/05/18_Recovery-Housing-Toolkit_5.3.2018.pdf?daf=375ateTbd56 (last visited January 31, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 6
length of time a person stays at a recovery residence varies based on the individuals’ treatment
needs.
31
Because recovery residences essentially provide short-term rental or leasing of living
quarters, recovery residences may be classified as transient rental accommodation and subject to
taxation of rental fees.
Day or Night Treatment: Community Housing Component
Community housing is a type of group home that provides supportive housing for individuals
who are undergoing treatment for substance abuse.
Day or night treatment is one of the licensable service components of clinical treatment services.
This service is provided in a nonresidential environment with a structured schedule of treatment
and rehabilitative services.
32
Some day or night treatment programs have a community housing
component, which is a program intended for individuals who can benefit from living
independently in peer community housing which participating in treatment services at a day or
night treatment facility for a minimum of five hours a day for a minimum of 25 hours per
week.
33
Prior to 2019, the community housing component of a licensed day or night treatment program
was not included in the definition of “recovery residence.” After the Legislature amended the
definition of “recovery residence” in 2019 to include the community housing component, DCF
addressed the statutory change to the definition in a memo. The department stated that, as a result
of the change in definition, providers licensed for day or night treatment with community
housing must be certified as a recovery residence in order to accept or receive patient referrals
from licensed treatment providers or existing recovery residences.
34
The memo did not
specifically address whether the community housing component requires certification if the only
individuals residing there were clients of the licensed day or night treatment program.
Voluntary Certification of Recovery Residences
A certified recovery residence is a recovery residence that holds a valid certificate of compliance
and is actively managed by a certified recovery residence administrator.
35
Florida has a voluntary
certification program for recovery residences and recovery residence administrators,
implemented by private credentialing entities.
36
Under the voluntary certification program, two
DCF-approved credentialing entities administer certification programs and issue certificates: the
Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) certifies the recovery residences and the
Florida Certification Board (FCB) certifies recovery residence administrators.
37
31
American Addiction Center, Length of Stay at a Sober Living Home, available at
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/sober-living/length-of-stay (last visited January 31, 2024).
32
Section 397.311(26)(a)2., F.S.
33
Section 397.311(26)(a)3., F.S.
34
DCF Memo to Substance Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Providers, dated July 1, 2019 (on file with the
Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee).
35
Sections 397.487-397.4872, F.S.
36
Id.
37
The DCF, Recovery Residence Administrators and Recovery Residences, available at
https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/samh/recovery-residence-administrators-and-recovery-residences (last visited
January 31, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 7
As the credentialing entity for recovery residences in Florida, the FARR is statutorily authorized
to administer certification, recertification, and disciplinary processes as well as monitor and
inspect recovery residences to ensure compliance with certification requirements. The FARR is
also authorized to deny, revoke, or suspend a certification, or otherwise impose sanctions, if
recovery residences are not in compliance or fail to remedy any deficiencies identified. However,
any decision that results in an adverse determination is reviewable by the Department.
38
In order to become certified, a recovery residence must submit the following documents with an
application fee to the credentialing entity:
39
A policy and procedures manual containing:
Job descriptions for all staff positions;
Drug-testing procedures and requirements;
A prohibition on the premises against alcohol, illegal drugs, and the use of prescription
medications by an individual other than for whom the medication is prescribed;
Policies to support a resident’s recovery efforts; and
A good neighbor policy to address neighborhood concerns and complaints;
Rules for residents;
Copies of all forms provided to residents;
Intake procedures;
Sexual predator and sexual offender registry compliance policy;
Relapse policy;
Fee schedule;
Refund policy;
Eviction procedures and policy;
Code of ethics;
Proof of insurance;
Proof of background screening; and
Proof of satisfactory fire, safety, and health inspections.
There are currently 675 certified recovery residences in Florida.
40
DCF publishes a list of all
certified recovery residences and recovery residence administrators on its website.
41
National Alliance for Recovery Residences
The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) was established to develop and
promote best practices in the operation of recovery residences.
42
The organization works with
federal government agencies, national addiction and recovery organizations, state-level recovery
housing organizations, and state addiction services agencies to improve the effectiveness and
accessibility of recovery housing.
38
Section 397.487, F.S.
39
Id.
40
DCF, 2024 Agency Bill Analysis SB 1180, on file with the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs.
41
Section 397.4872, F.S.
42
NARR, About Us, available at https://narronline.org/about-us/ (last visited January 31, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 8
In 2011, NARR established the national standard for all recovery residences. This standard
defines the spectrum of recovery oriented housing and services and distinguishes four different
types, which are known as “levels” or “levels of support.” The standard was developed through a
strength-based and collaborative approach that solicited input from all major regional and
national recovery housing organizations.
43
NARR’s levels of support are included in the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Best Practices for Recovery
Housing.
44
NARR Recovery Residence Levels of Support
A recovery residence is a broad term that describes safe and sober living environments that
promote recovery from substance use disorders. These residences may also be referred to as
halfway houses, three-quarter houses, transitional living facilities, or sober living homes. Since
this is a broad term, to help categorize recovery residences into more specific groups, NARR
distinguishes these residences based on their levels of care. There are four levels of care for
recovery residences: peer-run, monitored, supervised, and service provider.
45
Level I – Peer-Run
A Peer-Run recovery residence is a home operated by the residents themselves. In this type of
residence, there is no external management or oversight from outside sources such as an
administrative director. The administration of these facilities is done democratically by the
residents. Services may include house meetings for accountability, drug screenings, and self-help
meetings. These residences are generally set up in single-family residences like a house.
46
Level II – Monitored
A monitored recovery residence has an external management structure, usually in the form of an
administrative director. The director oversees operations, provides guidance and support, and
ensures that all tenants are following rules. These facilities, provide a structured environment
with documented rules, policies, and procedures. These residences are typically managed by a
house manager or senior resident and may offer peer-run groups, house meetings, drug
screenings, and involvement in self-help treatment. These facilities are primarily single=family
residences, but they may also be apartments or other dwelling types.
47
Level III – Supervised
Supervised recovery residences have more intense levels of oversight than monitored residences
and typically have an on-site staff member who provides 24/7 support to residents. The staff at a
Level III residence includes a facility manager and certified staff or case managers. Staff
43
NARR, Standards and Certification Program, available at https://narronline.org/affiliate-services/standards-and-
certification-program/ (last visited January 31, 2024).
44
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Best Practices for Recovery Housing, available at
https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep23-10-00-002.pdf (last visited January 31, 2024).
45
NARR, Recovery Residence Levels of Support, available at https://narronline.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/12/NARR_levels_summary.pdf (last visited January 31, 2024).
46
Isaiah House, NARR Levels of Care for Addiction Recovery Residences, available at https://isaiah-house.org/narr-levels-of-
care-for-addiction-recovery-residences/ (last visited January 31, 2024).
47
Isaiah House, NARR Levels of Care for Addiction Recovery Residences, available at https://isaiah-house.org/narr-levels-of-
care-for-addiction-recovery-residences/ (last visited January 31, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 9
members may also provide counseling services or facilitate group activities. Residents at Level
III houses are expected to adhere to a strict set of rules and guidelines while living in this type of
residence. Level III residences have an organizational hierarchy with administrative oversight for
service providers, and documented policies and procedures. This type of residence emphasizes
life skull development. In these residences, services may be utilized in the outside community
while service hours may be provided in-house. The type of dwelling for Level III residences
varies and may include all types of residential settings.
48
Level IV – Service Provider
Service provider recovery residences are typically operated by organizations or corporations.
These residences offer a wide range of services and activities for residents. Staff levels in Level
IV residences are higher than staff levels for Level I-III residences, and the environments are
more structured and institutionalized. These residences have an overseen organizational
hierarchy. Level IV recovery residence employ credentialed staff and have both clinical and
administrative supervision for residents. These residences also provide clinical services and
programming in-house and may offer residents life skill development. While Level IV residences
may have a more institutionalized environment, all types of residence may be included as a client
moves through the care continuum of a treatment center.
49
FARR Recovery Residence Levels of Support
The FARR recognizes four distinct support levels for recovery residences which were developed
based on the NARR standards.
50
The levels are not a rating scale regarding the efficacy of
48
Id.
49
Id.
50
FARR, Levels of Support, available at https://www.farronline.org/levels-of-support-1 (last visited January 31, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 10
valuation of any individual certified recovery residence, but instead offer a unique service
structure most appropriate for a particular resident.
51
FARR recovery residence levels of support
include:
52
Level I
Level I residences are structured after the Oxford House model.
53
Individuals who enter FARR
Level I homes have a high recovery capital with a minimum of nine months of sobriety and the
length of stay is determined by the resident. Level I homes are democratically run by the
members who reside in the home through a guided policy and procedure manual or charter.
Level II
Level II residences encompass the traditional perspective of sober living homes. Oversight is
provided from a house manager with lived experience, typically a senior resident. Residents are
expected to follow the rules outlined in the resident handbook, pay dues, and work on achieving
milestones within a chosen recovery path. This level of support is a resident driven length of
stay, while providers may suggest a minimum commitment length.
Level III
Level III residences offer higher supervision by staff with formal training to ensure resident
accountability. Level III homes offer peer-support services and are staff 24 hours a day. No
clinical services are performed at the residence. The services offered usually include life skills,
mentoring, recovery planning, and meal preparation. This support structure is most appropriate
for residents who require a more structured environment during early recovery from addiction.
Length of stay is determined by the resident; however, providers may ask for a minimum
commitment length of stay to fully complete programming.
Level IV
A Level IV residence is any recovery residence offered or provided by a licensed service
provider that provides housing to patients who are required to reside at the residence while
receiving intensive outpatient and higher levels of outpatient care at facilities that are operated by
the same licensed service provider or a recovery residence used as the housing component of a
day or night treatment with community housing, license issued pursuant to Rule 65D-40.0081,
Florida Administrative Code.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 amends the definition of “certified recovery residence” in s. 397.311, F.S., to include
standards regarding the levels of care offered within those residences. This amendment will help
51
FARR, Levels of Support, available at https://www.farronline.org/levels-of-support-1 (last visited January 31, 2024).
52
Id.
53
Oxford House Model is a concept and a system of operating in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The concept is
that recovering individuals can live together and democratically run an alcohol and drug-free living environment which
supports the recovery of every resident. Oxford Houses are one of the largest self-help residential programs in the U.S. See
Oxford House, The Purpose and Structure of Oxford House, available at https://oxfordhouse.org/purpose_and_structure (last
visited January 31, 2024) and the National Library of Medicine, Oxford House Recovery Homes: Characteristics and
Effectiveness, available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2888149/ (last visited January 31, 2024). BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 11
to better align recovery residences in Florida with industry best practices. The levels of care are
as follows:
Level I: these homes house individuals in recovery who are post-treatment, with a minimum
of nine months of sobriety. These homes are run by the members who reside in them.
Level II: these homes have oversight from a house manager (typically, a senior resident).
Residents are expected to follow rules outlined in a resident handbook, pay dues, and work
toward achieving milestones.
Level III: these homes offer 24-hour supervision by staff with formal training and peer-
support services.
Level IV: these homes are offered, referred, or provided to patients by licensed service
providers. The patients receive intensive outpatient and higher levels of outpatient care.
These homes are staffed 24 hours a day.
The bill also defines “community housing” to mean a certified recovery residence offered,
referred to, or provided by a licensed service provider that provides housing to its patients who
are required to reside at the residence while receiving intensive outpatient and higher levels of
outpatient care. The bill also requires a certified recovery residence used by a licensed service
provider that meets the definition of community housing to be classified as a Level IV level of
support.
Section 2 amends s. 397.407, F.S., to allow the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to
issue one license for all service components operated by a service provider that offers a
continuum of accessible and quality substance abuse prevention, intervention, and clinical
treatment services, rather than an individual license for each service component. This includes
the following services:
Addictions receiving facility;
Day or night treatment;
Day or night treatment with community housing;
Detoxification;
Intensive inpatient treatment;
Intensive outpatient treatment;
Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders;
Outpatient treatment; and
Residential treatment.
The license is only valid for the specific service components listed for each specific location
identified on the license. If service components are added, the service provider must obtain
approval from the DCF. If the service provider intends to relocate any of its service sites, the
service provider must notify the DCF and provide any required documentation, at least 30 days
before such relocation.
Section 3 amends s. 397.487, F.S., to increase the amount of time a certified recovery residence
has to retain a certified recovery residence administrator from 30 days to 90 days. The section
also requires the recovery residence to retain another administrator within 90 days should the
previous administrator, who had been approved to actively manage more than 50 residents
pursuant to s. 397.4871(8)(b), F.S., be removed due to termination, resignation, or any other BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 12
reason. Should the certified recovery residence not obtain another administrator within the time
allowed, the bill requires the credentialing entity to revoke the residence’s certificate of
compliance.
The bill prohibits any recovery residence from denying an individual access to the residence
solely on the basis the individual had been prescribed federally approved medication that assists
with treatment for substance use disorders by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or
advanced practice registered nurse.
The bill also prohibits a local law, ordinance, or regulation from regulating the duration or
frequency of a resident’s stay at a certified recovery residence located within a multifamily
zoning district. This provision does not apply to laws, ordinances, or regulations adopted on or
before February 1, 2025.
Section 4 amends 397.4871, F.S., to allow an increase in the number of residents actively
managed in a recovery residence at any given time from 100 residents to 150 residents so long as
the following applies:
The certified recovery residence is a Level IV resident with a community housing
component;
The residence is actively managed by a certified recovery residence administrator, approved
for 100 residents;
The licensed service provider maintains a service provider personnel-to-patient ratio of 1:8;
and
Maintains onsite supervision at the residences 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a
personnel-to-resident ratio of 1:10.
The section prohibits a certified recovery residence administrator who has been removed due to
termination, resignation, or any other reason from continuing to actively manage more than 50
residents for another service provider or certified recovery residence without being approved by
the credentialing entity.
Sections 3 and 4 also make stylistic and conforming changes.
Section 5 provides the bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
Not applicable. The bill does not require counties or municipalities to take action
requiring the expenditure of funds, reduce the authority that counties or municipalities
have to raise revenue in the aggregate, nor reduce the percentage of state tax shared with
counties or municipalities.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None. BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 13
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
The Revenue Estimating Conference has not reviewed the bill; however, the committee
substitute adopted at the Committee on Appropriations removed the exemption from
transient rental tax provided to recovery residences certified pursuant to law. Therefore,
the bill will not affect state or local tax revenues.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill has no fiscal impact on state or local government revenues or expenditures.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 397.311, 397.407,
397.487, and 397.4871.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS/CS/CS by Appropriations on February 22, 2024:
The committee substitute: BILL: CS/CS/CS/SB 1180 Page 14
Removes the proposed exemption from transient rentals taxes imposed on certified
recovery residences.
Restores the membership for the Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement to the
current 10 members.
CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services on February
13, 2024:
The committee substitute:
Streamlines the licensing process for service providers that provide a continuum of
substance abuse treatment, intervention, and prevention services, allowing the
Department of Children and Families (DCF) to issue one license for all services
rather than an individual license for each service component. This includes the
following services:
o Addictions receiving facility;
o Day or night treatment;
o Day or night treatment with community housing;
o Detoxification;
o Intensive inpatient treatment;
o Intensive outpatient treatment;
o Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders;
o Outpatient treatment; and
o Residential treatment.
Specifies that if service components are added, the service provider must obtain
approval from the DCF. If the service provider intends to relocate any of its service
sites, the service provider must notify the DCF and provide any required
documentation, at least 30 days before such relocation.
Clarifies that the member of the Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement appointed
by the Florida Society of Addiction Medicine does not have to be a medical doctor
certified in addiction medicine.
CS by Children, Families and Elder Affairs on February 6, 2024:
The committee substitute:
Removes the requirement for the DCF to display certain licensure data and
information on its website.
Adds two new members to the Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement to include a
representative from the Florida Certification Board and a representative from the
Florida Association of Managing Entities.
Makes technical and conforming changes.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.