Bill > HB1217

This bill requires clean and sober homes (residential facilities for individuals recovering from substance abuse) with five or more residents to obtain a conditional use permit from their county and register with the Department of Health (DOH). The bill mandates that DOH establish a comprehensive registry for these homes, which will include detailed standards for organizational, administrative, fiscal, operational, recovery support, property, and neighborhood considerations. To operate legally, clean and sober homes must now obtain a certificate of registration from DOH that specifies the home's name, address, maximum resident capacity, and registration validity period. The bill also requires the registration certificate to be publicly displayed and prohibits transfer to a new owner, operator, or location. DOH will be empowered to revoke registrations if homes fail to meet established standards or pose immediate dangers, and must conduct annual unannounced inspections of registered homes. Additionally, the bill establishes that DOH will maintain a public website listing registered homes and provide a toll-free complaint telephone number. Existing clean and sober homes with five or more residents will have until January 1, 2026, to obtain the required conditional use permit, providing a transitional period for compliance.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1217&year=2025