AB 1696: Sober Living Accountability Act.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate facilities that provide residential nonmedical services to adults who are recovering from problems related to alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug misuse or abuse, and who need alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug recovery treatment or detoxification services. Existing law also requires the department to implement a voluntary certification procedure for alcohol and other drug treatment recovery services. Existing law also defines a recovery residence as a residential dwelling that provides primary housing for individuals who seek a cooperative living arrangement that supports personal recovery from a substance use disorder and that does not require licensure pursuant to those provisions or does not provide licensable services.

This bill would require any government entity, as defined, that enters into a contract with a privately owned recovery residence to require that recovery residence to submit specified documents, including, among other things, written permission from the property owner to operate on the property, as specified, and the policies and procedures used by the recovery resident to address a residents right to access prescription and nonprescription drugs. The bill would apply these requirements to any contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2024.