New Jersey Senate Bill S1323

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/22
• Refer: 2/3/22

Caption

Requires DCA to approve credentialing entity to develop and administer voluntary recovery residence certification program.

Impact

This legislation aims to enhance the safety and quality of sober living environments by requiring recovery residences to adhere to specific guidelines validated through inspections and compliance checks. By instituting a formal certification process, the bill is intended to protect individuals seeking recovery by ensuring that the facilities they stay in are professionally managed. It also seeks to mitigate issues related to non-compliant or unsafe recovery housing options that may endanger residents' recovery processes.

Summary

Senate Bill S1323 mandates the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to approve a credentialing entity that will oversee a voluntary certification program for recovery residences across the state. The bill defines a recovery residence as a facility that provides a sober living environment for individuals with substance use disorders but does not offer clinical treatment services. It establishes the framework by which these residences can obtain a certificate of compliance, verifying they meet the set standards and offering assurance to potential residents and healthcare providers about the quality of the facility.

Contention

The introduction of this bill has sparked discussions regarding how recovery residences will be classified, as the law stipulates that certified recovery residences will not be subject to many regulations applying to healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are concerns from some stakeholders about the impacts this could have on local control over housing and the perceived professionalization of supported peer living environments. Moreover, setting up a credentialing entity and the certification process entails additional administrative overhead that some stakeholders feel may burden smaller or peer-managed facilities while larger organizations may adapt more easily.