GA SB526

Establishes the "Recovery Residences Licensing Act" requiring the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to license and regulate recovery residences, which are substance-free housing facilities supporting individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

Requires all recovery residences to obtain a valid license or provisional license by January 1, 2029, with the department required to promulgate all rules and regulations by January 1, 2028.

Mandates minimum standards including admission criteria, safe building facilities, trained staff requirements, medication storage protocols, resident rights protections, intake/discharge procedures, and incident reporting to the department.

Authorizes the department to conduct periodic on-site inspections, maintain a public registry of licensed facilities, and deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for violations.

Imposes civil penalties of $100 per bed per day for unlicensed recovery residences operating after January 1, 2029, with penalties doubled if operations continue after receiving notice from the department.