What's happening
This bill creates a task force to develop best practice guidelines and a statewide network for sober living residences in New York.
Why it matters
Establishes a formal, multi-agency approach. to improving sober living residences, ensuring input from state officials, local government, providers, and nonprofit organizations, which could lead to more coordinated and effective policies.
Focuses on evidence-based best practices. by requiring the task force to gather and analyze information from both in-state and national sources, aiming to create guidelines that reflect what actually works for people in recovery.
Aims to reduce barriers to recovery housing and services. , explicitly charging the task force with identifying what prevents people from accessing sober living environments and recommending ways to overcome those obstacles.
Mandates public reporting and transparency. , with the task force required to deliver a comprehensive report—including its guidelines, plans for a statewide network, and further recommendations—making it easier for the public and policymakers to track progress and hold agencies accountable.
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Who cares
Sober living residence owners and operators
They would have seats on a task force developing best-practice guidelines for their residences and a plan for a statewide sober living network.
People recovering from chemical dependency
The task force would identify barriers to recovery services, residential treatment and alcohol- and drug-free housing, and recommend ways to reduce treatment access barriers.
Licensed chemical dependence residential treatment providers
They would have representation on the task force examining access to residential treatment and recovery housing.
State housing, mental health and substance abuse agencies
They would serve on the task force and help develop recommendations on sober living practices, housing and recovery services.
Headline styles
Create Sober Living Task Force
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to alcoholism and substance abuse
- Referred to alcoholism and substance 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 Assembly Committee · Alcoholism And Drug Abuse · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2681
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
Introduced by Sens. MAYER, BROOKS, LIU -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance 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
S. 2681 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.
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 indi- viduals. The National Institute of Health (NIH) noted studies that indi- cate 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
S910 of 2017/18: 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.