Revision: May 7, 2026, 8:43 a.m.
Rep. Grote, Rock. 24
April 29, 2026
2026-1751h
09/08
Amendment to SB 298-FN
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 New Paragraph; Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse; Definitions. Amend RSA 172-B:1 by inserting after paragraph XIII the following new paragraph:
XIII-a. "Recovery residence" means a home-like environment for individuals recovering from substance use disorder centered around peer-support that provides an alcohol-free and drug-free living environment or any other business holding themselves out as recovery housing, sober living, or a recovery residence. This term shall not include a halfway house, treatment unit, or detoxification facility.
Amend RSA 172-B:2, V(a)(3) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(3) Criteria by which the department may revoke certification of [exclude] a residence [from the list] if the frequency [or] and/or severity of complaints received supports a determination that the recovery [housing] residence at issue does not maintain standards or provide an environment that appropriately supports recovery.
Amend RSA 172-B:2, VII(b)-(d) as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
(b) The certifying body shall investigate complaints received by the department regarding non-compliance with [NARR] nationally recognized standards. The certifying body shall provide an annual report to the department, and shall report quarterly on any newly certified [houses] residences or [houses] residences that are out of compliance. The certifying body shall inform the department and the municipality in which a recovery house operates within [5] 3 business days if [a recovery house's] certification is suspended or revoked.
[(c) The department shall identify certified recovery houses in good-standing on the registry created pursuant to paragraph V.
(d) The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the process for certification and the requirements of this paragraph.]
Amend RSA 172-B:2, VIII and IX as inserted by section 2 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
VIII. All recovery residences operating in the state of New Hampshire shall file with the department, on a form prescribed by the department, within 120 days of the effective date of this section to initiate the certification process. For any recovery housing residence that begins operations after the effective date of this section, the required form shall be filed with the department no later than 30 days before the first resident begins occupancy. The following information shall be included on the form:
(a) The name and contact information of the operator;
(b) The first date of occupancy;
(c) Information related to any existing certification or equivalent accreditation the residence has obtained or is in the process of obtaining; and
(d) Any other information required by the department through rule.
IX. All recovery residences operating within the state of New Hampshire shall obtain and maintain certification directly or through a contracted entity pursuant to the rules adopted under this chapter and the following:
(a) Certification shall be completed within 12 months of filing. A recovery residence shall not operate without certification unless it is actively engaged in efforts to obtain certification. For purposes of identifying this 12-month time frame, a recovery housing residence is considered to begin operating on the date that the first resident occupies the residence.
(b) If the department finds that a recovery residence is operating without certification, the department shall issue by certified mail a cease operations notice. The department shall notify the municipality in which a recovery house operates and the attorney general for prosecution.
(c) No person, business, or government entity shall advertise or represent any residence or other building to be a recovery residence, sober living home, or any other alcohol and drug free housing for persons recovering from substance use disorder unless the residence or building meets one of the following conditions:
(1) The residence or building is certified under this chapter; or
(2) The residence or building is regulated and licensed by the department.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 3 with the following:
4 Department of Health and Human Services; Funding. The department shall not be required to implement the provisions of this act until such date that the program is sufficiently funded to meet the requirements of sections 1 through 3 of this act.