Legislation in the Delaware House would create more requirements for sober living homes and other recovery residences in the First State.
State Rep. Kendra Johnson’s (D-Bear) proposed measure would allow Delaware to set up a recovery home accreditation process using a set of guidelines.
“They should be a safe and supportive substance free environment where individuals can go to receive necessary peer support or wraparound services,” said Johnson.
The state has oversight over some of its recovery residences, but does not have a record of how many exist statewide. Johnson says her bill is meant to create that list, and protect people with substance abuse disorder from illegitimate recovery homes.
“Any entity that puts itself out as a recovery residence that it indeed is a residence and not just some pop-up shop of something that just isn’t real,” she said.
Johnson says she can’t offer specifics about what would be required for recovery residences to receive state accreditation, but adds Delaware’s Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health would set the guidelines.
The legislation says they could include a license fee, a process to review complaints and policies regarding resident safety. Johnson says stakeholder feedback would also be considered.
The bill is currently in the House Housing & Community Affairs committee. No commitee meetings are scheduled before the end of session June 30th.
