HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2969        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1168

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Martin J. Walsh

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing a special commission to make an investigation and study of the feasibility of a pilot program for accreditation of alcohol-and drug-free housing.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2969        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1168

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act establishing a special commission to make an investigation and study of the feasibility of a pilot program for accreditation of alcohol-and drug-free housing.

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

SECTION 1.  There is hereby established a special commission consisting of the commissioner of the department of public health or designee, who shall serve as chair, the director of the department of housing and community development or designee, the commissioner of the department of children and families or designee, the commissioner of department of correction or designee, the chair of the parole board or designee, the commissioner of the department of probation or designee, the president of the Massachusetts sheriff’s association or designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts municipal association or designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts chiefs of police association or designee, one representative each from the Association for Behavioral Health and the Recovery Homes Collaborative, one member to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one member to be appointed by the senate president for the purpose of making an investigation and study relative to the feasibility of a pilot program for accreditation of alcohol-and drug-free housing, hereinafter referred to as ADF housing.

SECTION 2.  Such investigation and study shall include: (1) an evaluation of the current ADF housing models in Massachusetts, including but not limited to (a) an analysis of the business models and management structures of such housing; (b) an examination of rules and requirements governing residence in ADF housing as they currently operate, including rules related to children of ADF housing tenants; and (c) an analysis of the best practices currently in existence among ADF housing operators in Massachusetts; and (2) an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing a pilot program for accreditation of ADF housing.

Said commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, together with its recommendations and drafts the legislation necessary to carry said recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerk of the senate and the clerk of the house of representatives and the house and senate chairs of the committee on substance abuse and mental health on or before June 30, 2013.