Bipartisan Sober Home Bill Clears House

HARTFORD – State Representatives Jay Case (R-63) and Brian Ohler (R-64) supported a bipartisan provision that will help clarify the operations of Sober Homes in the Northwest Corner and across the state by creating a certified registry. The legislation was passed by the House by a vote of 148-1, and now heads to the Senate Floor for further action.

Rep. Case said, “We are following the model of our neighbors in Massachusetts to address the opioid crisis. Those living in Sober Homes deserve to be in a clean environment. This legislation allows operators of Sober Homes to report the sober living home’s certified status to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). The department will electronically post information about sober living homes that have reported their certified status, creating a database of legally functioning facilities.”

Rep. Ohler explained further, “The legislation also protects those who are trying to positively change their lives. The DMHAS commissioner will distribute one-page disclosure forms to prospective sober living home residents. This will help explain the function of sober living homes. For instance, these facilities are not certified to provide substance use disorder treatment services. It is important that individuals interested in living in such an environment do not have false expectations. We are also encouraging city and town officials to approach the issue of Sober Homes from a public safety and consumer protection point of view. Many of these so called Sober Homes are nothing more than glorified boarding houses; essentially fire traps after undergoing undocumented modifications.”

Both Case and Ohler also mentioned any Sober Home that falsely advertises services, like administering substance use and disorder treatment services or making claims about the outcomes for individuals residing in such homes, will now face stricter penalties under the Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The Senate is expected to take action on the legislation prior to the end of session, which is Wednesday May 9th.

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