Today's Law As Amended


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SB-1283 Substance abuse: structured sober living homes.(2015-2016)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11759.70) is added to Part 1 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:

CHAPTER  5. Structured Sober Living Homes
11759.70.
 (a) (1) For the purposes of this section, “structured sober living home” means any premises, place, or building that provides alcohol‑free or drug‑free housing, promotes independent living and life skill development, and provides structured activities that are directed primarily toward recovery from substance use disorders in a supervised setting to a group of unrelated adults who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, and who are receiving outpatient behavioral health services for substance abuse or addiction treatment while living in the home.
(2)  “Structured sober living home” does not include a private residence in which a related family member is required to receive outpatient behavioral health services for substance abuse or addiction treatment as a condition of continuing to reside in the family dwelling.
(b)  A structured sober living home registered pursuant to an ordinance adopted under this chapter is not subject to state licensure and regulation as an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility. This chapter does not establish a new category of state-licensed facility, or otherwise authorize a structured sober living home registered pursuant to an ordinance adopted under this chapter to provide any service for which a license is required by state law.
11759.71.
 (a) In accordance with this section, a city, county, or city and county may adopt by ordinance health and safety standards and enforcement mechanisms for structured sober living homes that comply with state and federal housing laws and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.) and amendments thereto. The ordinance shall include, but need not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Mandatory registration requirements for all structured sober living homes, to ensure that the residents are living in a safe environment. The registration requirements, at a minimum, shall include the following:
(A) The name and address of the structured sober living home.
(B) The following information regarding the property:
(i)  The property owner’s name, address, and contact telephone number.
(ii) If the property is leased, a copy of the lease, that includes a statement that the property will be used as a structured sober living home.
(2) In-home supervision requirements for the residents of the structured sober living home during all hours of operation.
(3)  The establishment and maintenance of an operation plan that facilitates the rehabilitative process, including discharge planning, and that addresses maintenance of the property and noise abatement consistent with local ordinances.
(b) A city, county, or city and county that adopts health and safety standards and enforcement mechanisms for structured sober living homes pursuant to subdivision (a) may exclude from regulation any structured sober living home that is subject to adequate oversight by another governmental entity or contractor that meets or exceeds the requirements of this chapter.
11759.72.
 This chapter shall not be interpreted to require the adoption of a structured sober living home ordinance by any city, county, or city and county. The authority granted to a city, county, or city and county to adopt an ordinance under this chapter shall be in addition to any other authority that may be exercised by the city, county, or city and county to regulate the use of property within its jurisdiction.