SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2268        FILED ON: 9/28/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2155

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act providing for a study of sober homes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the bureau of substance abuse services, in consultation with the department of public health, shall conduct a study of alcohol and substance free housing, known as “sober homes”, to examine how best to provide oversight by exploring the feasibility of licensing, regulating, registering, or certifying sober homes and/or operators. Said study shall also document the number of sober homes operating in the state, the standards and requirements necessary to protect the health and safety of the home’s residents, and any problems created by the operation of sober homes, including impacts on neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

The bureau shall report to the general court the results of its study and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the senate, the joint committee on mental health and substance abuse and the senate and house committees on ways and means no later than December 31, 2010.