New York A 3797: Relates to the improvement and operation of sober living homes

Bill Text

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A03797 Summary:

BILL NOA03797 

&nbsp

SAME ASNo Same As

&nbsp

SPONSORSmith

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COSPNSRDeStefano, Palmesano

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Ren §390-e to be §390-f, add §390-g, Gen Bus L; add Art 21 §§21.01 - 21.19, Ment Hyg L; amd §§17 & 143-b, Soc
Serv L

&nbsp

Relates to the improvement and operation of sober living homes including the process for certification, inspections, and violations and the establishment of a toll free hotline to respond to complaints.

Go to top A03797 Actions:

BILL NOA03797 

&nbsp

01/30/2025referred to alcoholism and drug abuse

01/07/2026referred to alcoholism and drug abuse

Go to topA03797 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA03797 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA03797 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 3797

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 January 30, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. SMITH, DeSTEFANO, PALMESANO -- read once and
 referred to the Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

 AN ACT to amend the general business law, the mental hygiene law and the
 social services law, in relation to the improvement and operation of
 sober living homes

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Declaration of findings and legislative intent. The legis-
 2 lature hereby finds and declares that there is an urgent need to improve
 3 the operation of sober living homes. A sober living home is intended to
 4 provide affordable, drug and alcohol free environments for persons who
 5 are enrolled in out-patient treatment or recovering from a drug or alco-
 6 hol addiction. The mission of a sober living home is to promote recovery
 7 and allow individuals to become self-supporting. In order to meet this
 8 mission, residents must be afforded a safe, sanitary, and secure envi-
 9 ronment.
 10 The legislature further finds that far too many sober living home
 11 operators fail to provide the atmosphere necessary for residents. While
 12 there certainly are some well-run sober living homes that truly aim to
 13 assist those in recovery, many of these homes are often overcrowded,
 14 drug and alcohol infested, unsanitary, and incompetently managed. In
 15 order to ensure that appropriate living standards are being maintained,
 16 regulations pertaining to the operation of sober living homes must be
 17 established and enforced.
 18 The legislature further finds and declares that it is the intent of
 19 the legislature to prevent recidivism, injury, and death among persons
 20 seeking housing in a sober living home by establishing and enforcing
 21 operational standards. By ensuring that appropriate standards are estab-
 22 lished and enforced, communities which host a sober living home will
 23 also benefit. By authorizing the state to certify establishments meeting
 24 the criteria necessary to provide an appropriate environment, and by

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD02591-01-5

 A. 3797 2

 1 allowing localities to inspect the establishment, safe and effective
 2 sober living homes can continue to improve people's lives.
 3 § 2. Section 390-e of the general business law, as added by chapter 70
 4 of the laws of 2024 is renumbered section 390-f and a new section 390-g
 5 is added to read as follows:
 6 § 390-g. Sober living homes. 1. A "sober living home" shall mean a
 7 home that is operated, whether for profit or not, for transitional
 8 recovery purposes of individuals afflicted with alcohol or substance
 9 abuse dependencies. Such homes shall have, as its primary purpose, the
 10 reintegration of such afflicted persons into society with accompanying
 11 monitoring and support, and shall provide a safe, supportive, drug-free
 12 living environment. Homes established as "half-way houses or homes"
 13 and/or "recovery houses or homes" shall be included in this definition.
 14 2. An owner, operator, or landlord, may not hold themselves out to be
 15 or advertise to be a "sober living home" unless they are certified by,
 16 and remain in good standing with, the New York state office of addiction
 17 services and supports.
 1