Bill > S0157

This bill establishes a voluntary certification program for "recovery residences," which are defined as shared living spaces that support individuals recovering from substance use disorders by offering peer support and help accessing community resources. The Department of Health will be responsible for developing and implementing this certification program, which will require residences to meet the standards of the Vermont Alliance for Recovery Residences or another approved organization, and will include data collection and reporting requirements to measure the program's effectiveness. The bill also clarifies rules regarding when residents can be exited or transferred from a recovery residence, including provisions for their belongings and alternative housing, and specifies that relapse alone will not be considered a cause of homelessness for the purpose of obtaining emergency housing. The Department of Health is tasked with filing proposed rules for this program by September 1, 2027, and adopting permanent rules by December 1, 2028, with the potential for fees to be introduced if approved by the General Assembly.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.157