Bill > SB331

This bill amends Georgia law to provide for the certification of recovery residences by the Department of Community Health. The key provisions include: - Defining terms related to recovery residences, including "certified recovery residence," "recovery residence," and "substance-free." - Authorizing the Department to contract with or designate a certifying organization to perform certification functions. - Prohibiting the operation of a recovery residence without certification and establishing the application and inspection process. - Requiring criminal background checks for certain personnel and maintaining the confidentiality of records. - Categorizing certified recovery residences into four levels based on the services and staffing provided. - Establishing rights for residents, including procedures for termination and retrieval of personal property. - Requiring certified recovery residences to collect and report outcome data to assess effectiveness. - Providing for the denial, suspension, or revocation of certifications and a complaint process. - Mandating that zoning laws treat certified recovery residences as residential uses of property. Overall, the bill aims to establish a certification program to ensure the quality and effectiveness of recovery residences in Georgia.