DE HB421

Establishes a voluntary certification program for recovery houses administered by the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health or an approved certifying entity, maintaining nationally recognized standards consistent with the National Association of Recovery Residences.

Prohibits uncertified recovery houses from receiving referrals from state agencies or courts, obtaining state or local government funding, receiving referrals for state or locally-funded treatment, or advertising as Division-certified, with violations subject to fines up to $20,000 per violation.

Requires the Division to create and maintain a publicly accessible registry of all certified recovery houses and Division-contracted recovery houses, updated monthly and including contact information, bed capacity, complaint history, and other operational details.

Mandates distribution of the certified recovery house registry to state agencies, courts, vendors with state contracts, the Department of Corrections, and Probation & Parole, and prohibits state entities from referring individuals to uncertified recovery houses.

Establishes a Certified Recovery House Fund to hold fees collected for certification and enforcement, which may not exceed costs of training and enforcement, with the Division required to seek federal grants to minimize fees.