CS/SB 210 — Substance Abuse Services
by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee and Senator Harrell
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill modifies requirements for licensed substance abuse service providers offering treatment to individuals living in recovery residences. The bill prohibits the following substances from being used on the premises of a provider licensed by the Department of Children and Families (the 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 also prohibits referrals from licensed service providers to recovery residences which allow the use of such substances on the premises, and it requires service providers to provide proof of a prohibition on the use of such substances in applications for licensure with the DCF.
Additionally, the bill provides that referrals to a recovery residence 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.
The bill requires the DCF to establish a mechanism for the imposition and collection of fines arising from failed inspections of recovery residences and improper referrals made by licensed service providers no later than January 1, 2024.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 118-0