House of Representatives passes landmark recovery housing standards bill

On June 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 4684, the Ensuring Access to Quality Sober Living Act of 2018. The bill is a milestone, marking Congress’ recognition of the need to support quality recovery housing. It is also the first time NARR has been referenced in Congressional legislation. The bill includes several important provisions:

  • Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify or facilitate the development of best practices, which may include model laws for implementing suggested minimum standards, for operating recovery housing
  • Directs HHS to disseminate these to the states, to recovery housing providers, and to the public
  • Allocates $3 million to support these activities.

The bill names NARR prominently among the stakeholders to be included in carrying out the provisions of the bill. Parallel language is included in two pending Senate bills, S 2678, the Enuring Access to Quality Recovery Living Act of 2018, sponsored by senators Kaine, Warren, Hassan, Hatch and Blumenthal, and S 2680, the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, otherwise known as the “CARA 2.0” comprehensive supplementary funding bill.

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