Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

HB 299 Alcohol or drug abuse recovery houses

A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws

A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of 88th Legislature Laws

The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.

Blog Summary

Sets our broad guidelines for recovery houses to receive state funding. A recovery house is to assist those recovery from alcohol or drug abuse reintegrate into communities.

HB 299 Alcohol or drug abuse recovery houses

Published: 2024-08-09

HB 299

Creation of voluntary accreditation for recovery housing

The Commission is the Health and Human Services Commission. An accrediting organization is a nonprofit that develops and administers recovery housing accreditation programs. Recovery housing means a shared living environment. It must promote recovery from substance abuse, integrate residents into communities, and ensures residents have support services. It is centered on peer support and is free from alcohol and drug use.

The Commission will set out minimum standards for accreditation. They must not include providing personal care services, such as bathing, dressing. A recovery house must meet these minimum standards, establish procedures for accreditation and reaccreditation and discipline, pay fees for accreditation and reaccreditation, provide training to employees and safe regarding standards, develop a code of ethics, and provide the necessary information to the commission for their annual report.

The following are not eligible for accreditation as a recovery house:

1. home and community support services agencies licensed as such;
2. a nursing facility licensed as such;
3. a continuing care facility licensed as such;
4. an intermediate care facility for those with an intellectual disability and so licensed;
5. a boarding home that is licensed to provide meals and such;
6. a chemical dependency treatment facility licensed as such;
7. a child-care facility licensed as such;
8. a family violence shelter center licensed as such;
9. one qualified as a community home;
10. a hotel

The Commission shall prepare an annual report that includes the following:

1. total number of accredited recovery houses;
2. number of those accredited during the preceding year;
3. any issues concerning accreditation or reaccreditation;
4. number of recovery houses that had their accreditation revoked during the preceding year;
5. reasons for revocation

Only accredited recovery houses may receive state money.

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.