NJ S3479

Requires the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to approve a nonprofit credentialing entity within 120 days to develop and administer a voluntary certification program for recovery residences and recovery residence administrators in New Jersey.

Recovery residences are defined as sober living environments providing alcohol and drug-free housing for individuals with substance use disorders, but not clinical treatment services; the certification program must align with National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards.

Health care practitioners and substance use disorder treatment providers are prohibited from referring patients to recovery residences unless the residence is certified or owned by a licensed treatment provider.

Certified recovery residences are exempted from rooming and boarding house regulations under the "Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979," while uncertified residences remain subject to those requirements.

Violations for falsely advertising certification status carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, and certifications must be renewed annually with at least one unannounced on-site inspection required for recertification.