2015 -- S 0095 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC000688/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE,

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND HOSPITALS CREATE RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR STANDARDS AND FINANCING OF RECOVERY HOUSING FACILITIES AND

PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT

     Introduced By: Senators Lynch, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Walaska, and Miller

     Date Introduced: January 22, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     WHEREAS, Many Rhode Islanders strive on a daily basis to overcome substance use

disorders. Thanks to a cadre of caring professionals in the Ocean State and to an outstanding

array of organizations whose missions focus on prevention and treatment, many of those in

recovery have access to programs that support their progress; and

     WHEREAS, Even as they participate in treatment programs, some Rhode Islanders in

recovery lack a safe place to live, which can limit their improvement. For these individuals,

community-based recovery housing provides the stability they need to move forward. Recovery

houses, which combine shelter with access to proven programs, are an integral part of a

continuum of services. In Rhode Island, a network of recovery houses provides constructive,

substance free living environments that promote positive outcomes for their residents; and

     WHEREAS, Recovery houses in Rhode Island operate with considerable autonomy and

often without established standards or financing mechanisms, which may lead to differences in

quality that, in turn, impact the recovery process. The lack of established standards may also be a

source of concern to those communities that host recovery houses. Individuals in recovery, as

well as Rhode Island’s municipalities and neighborhoods, would benefit from the development of

a set of state standards and recommendations for financing for recovery housing facilities and

programs for residential substance use treatment; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare,

Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) creates recommendations for a set of

standards and options for financing of recovery housing facilities and programs for residential

substance use treatment, to be used by such facilities in Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate respectfully requests the Director of BHDDH to submit a

report to the Senate President and to the Chairs of the Senate Health and Human Services and

Finance Committees on or before January 7, 2016, that describes recommendations for the

standards and for the financing of recovery housing facilities and programs for residential

substance use treatment; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Department of Behavioral

Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, and the Secretary of the Executive Office

of Health and Human Services.

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