Recovery Residences

The bill version identifier changed from 'c2' (Committee Version 2) to 'e1' (First Engrossed), indicating it has passed committee and is ready for final floor consideration.

The bill title and header were updated to reflect the official engrossed status, including the addition of metadata such as the engrossment date and bill type.

The definition of 'transfer' was simplified by removing specific examples of ownership changes and shifting the focus to a general statement about majority ownership or contractual transfers.

The threshold for requiring a level 2 background screening when ownership changes was raised from 51% to 5% of controlling interest.

A new exemption was added preventing the department from requiring existing licensed providers to admit individuals during a probationary period if they have no outstanding violations and no recent enforcement actions.

The effective date of the act was set to July 1, 2026.

The bill title and subject matter were changed from 'mental health services' to 'substance abuse services', expanding its applicability to a different sector of care.

A new requirement was added for the Department of Children and Families to issue a regular license within 30 days to existing providers seeking to add services or locations, provided they meet current renewal requirements.

A prohibition was added preventing the department from imposing any additional requirements on existing providers when they seek to expand their services or add new locations.

The specific provision prohibiting Level IV mental health providers from using recovery residences for housing was removed, as the focus shifted to substance abuse services.

The definition of 'transfer' was revised to explicitly include events where 51% or more of ownership is transferred, clarifying rules on license portability.

New restrictions were added preventing credentialing entities from requesting or obtaining clinical or medical records of residents when determining whether to suspend or revoke a recovery residence certificate.