Stephens Co-Sponsors Bill to Address Unregulated Recovery Housing in Ohio

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) is pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 58, legislation to address Ohio’s unregulated recovery housing industry, closing loopholes and strengthening accountability within the industry. 

Key provisions of House Bill 58 are as follows:

• Requires state certification of recovery housing facilities based on statewide standards of practice established by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health;
• Allows local officials to impose penalties on facilities that fail to comply with statewide standards, shutting down bad actors; 
• Criminalizes compensation for patient referrals or the use of services within the system, refocusing attention on recovery rather than profit; 
• Requires that a patient receiving treatment at a court-ordered location who does not complete care be provided transportation back to the patient’s county of residence; and
• Creates the Ohio Recovery Housing Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding recovery housing in Ohio.
   

“Recovery housing facilities have been overwhelming our communities,” said Stephens. “I am hopeful this legislation will make recovery housing accountable to their neighbors.”

House Bill 58 now awaits further consideration by the Ohio Senate.