Drug and alcohol free residences.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of community care facilities by the State Department of Social Services. Existing law also provides for the licensure and regulation by the State Department of Health Care Services of adult alcoholism and drug abuse recovery and treatment facilities for adults. This bill would, among other things, define a "drug and alcohol free residence" as a residential property that is operated as a cooperative living arrangement to provide an alcohol and drug free environment for persons recovering from alcoholism or drug abuse, or both, who seek a living environment in which to remain clean and sober. The bill would provide that a drug and alcohol free residence may be certified by an organization approved by the State Department of Health Care Services, defined as "an approved certifying agency." The bill would provide that a residence housing persons who purport to be recovering from drug or alcohol abuse would be presumed to be a drug and alcohol free residence if the residence has been certified by an approved certifying organization. The bill would require an approved certifying organization to, among other things, maintain an affiliation with a recognized national organization, approved by the department, establish procedures to administer the application, certification, renewal, and disciplinary processes for a drug and alcohol free residence, and investigate and enforce violations by a residence of the organization's code of conduct, as provided. The bill would specify the information and documentation that an operator who seeks to have a residence certified is required to submit to an approved certifying organization. This bill would require the department to maintain and post on its Internet Web site a registry that contains specified information regarding each drug and alcohol free residence that has been certified or has had its certification revoked. The bill would deem the activities of a certified drug and alcohol free residence a residential use of property under specified circumstances.