Ohio House Passes Bill to Address Unregulated Recovery Housing in Ohio

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) is pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 58, legislation championed by Pizzulli to address Ohio's unregulated recovery housing industry, closing loopholes and strengthening accountability within the industry.

Key provisions of House Bill 58 are as follows:

• Requires state certification of recovery housing facilities based on statewide standards of practice established by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health;
• Allows local officials to impose penalties on facilities that fail to comply with statewide standards, shutting down bad actors;
• Criminalizes compensation for patient referrals or the use of services within the system, refocusing attention on recovery rather than profit;
• Requires that a patient receiving treatment at a court-ordered location who does not complete care be provided transportation back to the patient's county of residence; and
• Creates the Ohio Recovery Housing Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding recovery housing in Ohio.
  

"Unfortunately, Ohio's recovery housing industry is currently operating without adequate oversight, creating a "Wild West" environment, and allowing bad actors to exploit the system," said Pizzulli. "By instituting strong local oversight, this legislation will help root out bad actors, protect vulnerable residents, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely."

Pizzulli is grateful to everyone who provided written and in-person testimony during the committee process, playing a vital role in helping the bill cross the finish line in the Ohio House.

House Bill 58 now awaits further consideration by the Ohio Senate.