The House Human Services Committee Wednesday approved legislation, authored by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), which seeks to statutorily define recovery-based housing and establish statewide standards to govern these facilities said a press release from Farry.
“Recovery-based housing is not currently regulated in Pennsylvania,” Farry explained. “This issue came to my attention because of proprietors who were operating these homes in a way that was causing concern for the individuals receiving care and the surrounding communities.”
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House Bill 1298 requires the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to define the term recovery house, determine guidelines for inspection of those homes, and establish penalties for violations of the regulations set out by the commonwealth, the release said.
On October 8, the committee met in Middletown for to hear testimony from a number of state and local officials about issues related to recovery homes in the state and more specifically in the Philadelphia region
Story About the October Hearing on Recovery Homes
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One of the main issues brought up throughout testimony was in reference to the potential for safety risks for those owning the recovery homes and their tenants. The potential of fire was a major concern, Bristol Township Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito testified at the October hearing.
Facilities that do not comply with the DDAP regulations would not qualify to receive any federal or state funding under the bill, and according to Secretary Gary Tennis, Department of Drug and Alcohol makes the bill’s reach entirely appropriate.
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“Recovery housing is a very important part of the process to overcoming an addiction, therefore we must ensure they are operated in a safe and appropriate manner in order to warrant the best possible outcomes for those seeking treatment and the community,” Farry said.
The homes offer support and help to those with drug or alcohol problems, but as one local official pointed out at the hearing, “we are being inundated by them.”
House Bill 1298 now awaits consideration by the full House.
