What's happening
This bill creates a task force to establish best practices and guidelines for sober living residences in New York State.
Why it matters
Sets groundwork for statewide oversight and quality standards. for sober living residences, which have historically operated with minimal regulation—potentially increasing safety, consistency, and accountability for individuals in recovery.
Brings together diverse stakeholders. (government agencies, treatment providers, non-profits, and local officials) to develop guidelines, ensuring the recommendations are informed by a wide range of expertise and real-world experiences.
Aims to identify and address systemic barriers. to accessing sober housing and recovery services, which could lead to policy changes that make it easier for people struggling with chemical dependency to find stable, supportive housing.
Requires a formal report and recommendations within a set timeline. , increasing transparency and creating a public record that lawmakers and advocacy groups could use to push for further reforms or funding in the future.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Sober Living Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 3
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
- Referred to alcoholism and drug abuse
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Sober Living Task Force
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
910
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 5, 2017
Introduced by Sen. CROCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the sober living task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 19.04 to read as follows: § 19.04 Sober living task force.
1. Definitions. As used in this section:
(a) "Sober living residence" shall mean any residence located in New York state where the owner or operator of such residence holds the residence out to the public as an alcohol and drug free living environment for persons recovering from a chemical dependency, where no formal treatment services are provided on-site.
(b) "Sober living network" shall mean a group of independently operated and self-regulated sober living residences located in New York state which comply with the guidelines issued pursuant to this section.
2. The sober living task force is hereby created, which pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall establish best practice guidelines for sober living residences that illustrate the most appropriate and effective environment for persons recovering from a chemical dependency.
3. The task force shall utilize information collected from organizations and programs both in New York state and throughout the country to:
(a) Issue recommendations and guidelines establishing best practices for sober living residences to provide an alcohol and drug free sober living environment;
(b) Develop a plan to establish a statewide sober living network as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision one of this section; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00986-01-7
S. 910 2
(c) Identify barriers for individuals to access recovery services, residential treatment for chemical dependency and appropriate housing where individuals are provided an alcohol and drug free living environment.
4. (a) The members of the task force shall include the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services or his or her designee; the commissioner of the office of mental health or his or her designee; the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance or his or her designee; the commissioner of the office of homes and community renewal or his or her designee; one representative of the New York state local mental hygiene directors; at least two representatives of reputable owners or operators of a residence which currently provides alcohol and drug free housing for persons in recovery where no formal treatment services are provided on-site; at least two representatives of chemical dependence residential treatment providers licensed by the office; at least one representative who is not a provider of chemical dependence or mental health services and who represent non-governmental organizations, such as not-for-profit entities or other organizations concerned with the provision of housing and recovery services; and any other relevant agency or participant that is deemed appropriate. The commissioner shall be designated as the chairperson of such task force and shall select a vice-chairperson and a secretary. Prior to the first meeting of the task force, in consultation with the state agency members of such task force, the chairperson shall select up to eight additional members whom shall be representatives of local government agencies in New York state where the need for alcohol and drug free housing is most prevalent.
(b) The members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.
(c) No civil action shall be brought in any court against any member of the sober living task force for any act or omission necessary to the discharge of his or her duties as a member of the task force, except as provided herein. Such member may be liable for damages in any such action if he or she failed to act in good faith and exercise reasonable care. Any information obtained by a member of the task force while carrying out his or her limited duties as prescribed in subdivision three of this section shall only be utilized in their capacity as a member of the task force.
5. No later than December thirty-first in the year following the effective date of this section the task force shall provide a report to the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, and the chairman of the appropriate legislative committees. Such report shall include but not be limited to the best practices established for sober living residences; a description of the plan that establishes a statewide sober living network; recommendations by the task force to reduce access barriers for individuals seeking residential treatment for chemical dependency; and recommendations for any other program or policy initiative the task force deems appropriate. The report shall be posted on the websites of the appropriate agencies.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to establishing the sober living task force; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
The purpose of the bill is to identify and promote alcohol and drug free living environments statewide for persons in recovery from a chemical dependency.
Summary of specific provisions
This legislation would amend Mental Hygiene Law by adding a new section 19.04, creating the sober living task force. The responsibilities of the task force would include establishing best practice guidelines for a sober living residence; developing a plan to establish a statewide sober living network; identifying barriers for individuals to access recovery services, residential treatment for chemical dependency, and alcohol and drug free living environments; and provide recommendations related to program or policy initiatives deemed appropriate by the task force. The task force would also be required to provide a report no later than December 31, 2017 to the legislature.
The effective date of this bill would be thirty days after it shall have become law and it would expire and be deemed repealed one year after such effective date.
Justification
It is widely accepted that stable and safe alcohol and drug free housing promotes long term abstinence for a person in recovery from a chemical dependency. Unfortunately, in New York State there is a lack of such housing which has the potential to be a serious obstacle to long term abstinence, disrupting recovery for even the most highly motivated individuals. The National Institute of Health (NIH) noted studies that indicate individuals completing treatment who return to a living environment with alcohol and drugs present are more likely to relapse, in contrast to an individual who is living in an environment supportive of sobriety.
Prior legislative history
S5463 of 2015/16: Referred to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law and shall expire and be deemed repealed one year after such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.