Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish a certification framework for recovery residences in Minnesota, which offer supportive and substance-free living environments for individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The goal is to standardize operations to improve the quality and safety of these facilities, as well as to modify regulations pertaining to housing support eligibility.

Main Provisions

• Certification Process: Introduces a voluntary certification and training program for recovery residence operators, which will be managed by a nonprofit certifying organization designated by the commissioner. The organization will adhere to a national standard and maintain a registry of certified residences.

• Inspections and Compliance: Recovery residences must pass an inspection to ensure compliance. Certified ones are inspected at least every two years. Residences that fail to comply with standards must submit an action plan and correct deficiencies.

• Resident Rights: Sets out residents' rights and establishes a mechanism for filing complaints. Residences must facilitate access to prescribed medications and cannot deny occupancy based on medication use.

• Funding and Referrals: Public and federal funds are only available to certified recovery residences. Substance use disorder treatment providers can only refer patients to certified residences.

• Zoning Regulations: Certified recovery residences are considered single-family residences for zoning purposes, ensuring they aren't discriminatorily barred from residential neighborhoods.

• Data Collection and Reporting: Residences are required to submit deidentified data to the commissioner, who will publish annual reports assessing the effectiveness of recovery residences.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Termination Procedures: Establishes procedures for terminating residency agreements, allowing for expedited court processes and timelines regarding resident eviction and property retrieval.

• Criminal Penalties: Introduces penalties for "patient brokering," i.e., offering kickbacks for patient referrals to treatment providers, and sets fines for misrepresenting certification status.

• Housing Support: Updates housing support eligibility to include certified recovery residences, granting individuals in recovery access to housing benefits.

Relevant Terms

• Recovery residence
• Certification
• Substance use disorder
• Housing support
• Patient brokering
• Zoning regulations
• Inspection compliance