Bill Text: VA HB2045 | 2019 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Recovery residences; certification by Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-05 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0220) [HB2045 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HB2045-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 4 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-431.1 as follows:
§37.2-431.1. Certified recovery residences.
A. As used in this section:
"Certificate of compliance" means a certificate that is issued to a recovery residence by a credentialing entity.
"Certified recovery residence" means a recovery residence that has been certified by the Department.
"Credentialing entity" means a nonprofit organization that develops and administers professional certification programs according to nationally recognized recovery housing standards.
"Recovery residence" means a housing facility that provides alcohol-free and illicit-drug-free housing to individuals with substance abuse disorders and individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders that does not include clinical treatment services.
B. No person shall advertise, represent, or otherwise imply to the public that a recovery residence or other housing facility is a certified recovery residence unless it is certified by the Department.
C. A recovery residence seeking certification shall submit to the Department a completed application and verification of a certification of compliance issued by a Department-approved credentialing entity.
D. The Department shall approve one or more credentialing entities to administer certificates of compliance to recovery residences. The Department shall maintain a list of approved credentialing agencies on its website. The Department and any Department-approved credentialing entity shall maintain a list of certified recovery residences on its respective website.
E. Any person in violation of the provisions of subsection B may be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each offense by the Department. In determining the amount of any such civil penalty, the Department shall consider the nature, number, and seriousness of the violations; the ability of the certified recovery residence to pay the penalty; and any other factors the Department determines are relevant. Civil penalties assessed under this section shall be paid into the Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Trust Fund established in §37.2-318.
