SF 873

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/26/2021 10:10am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; requiring the commissioner of human services and the
commissioner of health to study oversight of sober housing programs; requiring
a report; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin STUDY ON POTENTIAL OVERSIGHT OF SOBER HOUSING
PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of human services, in collaboration with the commissioner of
health, shall study and make recommendations regarding the potential oversight of sober
housing programs for people with substance use disorders. At a minimum, this study must:
new text end

new text begin (1) to the extent practicable, identify the providers of sober housing programs for persons
with substance use disorders in Minnesota, and collect the following information for each
provider:
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new text begin (i) the types of services provided;
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new text begin (ii) the level of supervision provided;
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new text begin (iii) the criteria to be admitted to and remain in the program;
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new text begin (iv) the criteria for a program-initiated discharge of a resident;
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new text begin (v) the program's licensure or certification, if any; and
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new text begin (vi) the program's receipt of public funds, if applicable;
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new text begin (2) identify the aspects of sober housing programs that may require oversight, including:
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new text begin (i) the types of housing, supervision, and services that could require regulation;
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new text begin (ii) resident admission and discharge criteria;
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new text begin (iii) standards for health, safety, and management of sober housing programs;
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new text begin (iv) evidence-based practices to support residents in their recovery while residing in
sober housing programs, including culturally competent care, support of individuals with
co-occurring mental illnesses, and medication-assisted treatment; and
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new text begin (v) affiliation with an outpatient substance use disorder treatment program that provides
services to sober housing program residents;
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new text begin (3) identify the types of sober housing program settings and services that may not require
oversight;
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new text begin (4) conduct an analysis of sober housing program oversight in other states, using
information obtained from federal agencies, state organizations, or national organizations;
and
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new text begin (5) recommend potential oversight options for sober housing programs, including:
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new text begin (i) whether sober housing programs should be regulated by the Department of Human
Services, the Department of Health, or both;
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new text begin (ii) any existing licensure or certification options; and
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new text begin (iii) a process for sober housing program residents to submit formal complaints.
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new text begin (b) This study must be developed in consultation with residents and former residents of
sober housing programs based in Minnesota, the Minnesota Society for Addiction Medicine,
NAMI Minnesota, the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical
Health, the Minnesota Association of Sober Homes, a sober housing program located outside
the seven-county metropolitan area, and other interested parties identified by the
commissioner of human services. The Department of Human Services must complete and
submit a report on this study to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over health care policy and finance on or before September
15, 2022.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; STUDY ON SOBER HOUSING PROGRAM
OVERSIGHT.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2022 and $....... in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the general
fund to the commissioner of human services to conduct the sober housing program study
under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end