Advocacy Alert: Updated Pennsylvania Regulations for Recovery Residences

March 25, 2021

via PARR (Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences)

On March 1, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) updated their Regulations on Standards for Drug and Alcohol Recovery House Licensure.

DDAP expects the new regulations to be in effect by June 2021, and compliance by December 2021.

This new program will require recovery houses to "get a license if they:

• want to receive referrals from state agencies or state-funded facilities, or
• want to receive federal or state funding to deliver recovery house services.

In addition, the law imposes two additional requirements on referrals to recovery houses:

• persons whose treatment is funded with state or federal funds shall only be referred to licensed recovery houses;
• courts shall give first consideration to licensed recovery houses when residential recommendations are made for individuals under their supervision.

If you are opening a recovery house for the first time, DDAP recommends that you get connected with your local Single County Authority (SCA). The SCA is the agency that administers drug and alcohol activities in your area."

Licenses will be required in order to receive referrals or funding from state agencies.

PARR has provided a direct link to the DDAP checklist and application, which is part of the new regulations. You can see it on page 12 here.

If you operate in Pennsylvania and have any questions, please reach out to PARR for more.

Questions? Concerns?

As always, we want your input.

A reminder that BHAP members get regular access to our advocate in Washington, DC. If you have any questions about BHAP's advocacy efforts, please contact us.