What's happening
This bill creates a sober living task force to establish best practice guidelines and recommend policies for alcohol- and drug-free recovery residences in New York.
Why it matters
Addresses a gap in recovery housing by defining “sober living residences” and creating a framework for oversight and standards, which can help protect vulnerable individuals in early recovery from unsafe or exploitative living situations.
Brings together multiple state agencies, treatment providers, housing experts, and local government representatives, ensuring that the guidelines and recommendations consider a wide range of expertise and on-the-ground realities.
Directs the task force to identify barriers to accessing sober housing and recovery services, potentially leading to reforms that could make it easier for people seeking help to find stable, supportive, and substance-free living environments.
Requires a public report with policy recommendations, increasing transparency and potentially setting the stage for future legislation or funding to support best practices in sober living across New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Sober Living Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-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
In Senate Committee · Alcoholism And Substance Abuse · Sponsor Shelley Mayer
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
929
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL, DenDEKKER, CRESPO, DAVILA, BARRON, JONES -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred 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.
LBD03287-01-9
A. 929 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 two years after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.