SB 1565 Summary

• Establishes fingerprinting requirements and criminal background checks for sober living home employees, owners, contractors, and volunteers, including obtaining a valid fingerprint clearance card.

• Requires sober living homes to maintain a staff ratio of two staff members for every six residents and mandates 24-hour supervision by an employee on-site.

• Increases civil penalties for violations from up to $500 to at least $5,000 and not more than $10,000 per violation, and establishes a class 6 felony for operating without a license with penalties of at least $5,000 and not more than $10,000 per day of violation.

• Requires sober living homes to notify residents' family or next of kin within 72 hours of admission, provide safe transportation upon discharge, and immediately report deaths, overdoses, and sex-related crimes to the department within six hours.

• Mandates the Department of Health Services to establish annual continuing education and training requirements for sober living home staff and exempts the department from rulemaking procedural requirements through June 30, 2026 to implement these regulations.