1Amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), entitled
2"An act providing for and reorganizing the conduct of the
3executive and administrative work of the Commonwealth by the
4Executive Department thereof and the administrative
5departments, boards, commissions, and officers thereof,
6including the boards of trustees of State Normal Schools, or
7Teachers Colleges; abolishing, creating, reorganizing or
8authorizing the reorganization of certain administrative
9departments, boards, and commissions; defining the powers and
10duties of the Governor and other executive and administrative
11officers, and of the several administrative departments,
12boards, commissions, and officers; fixing the salaries of the
13Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and certain other executive
14and administrative officers; providing for the appointment of
15certain administrative officers, and of all deputies and
16other assistants and employes in certain departments, boards,
17and commissions; and prescribing the manner in which the
18number and compensation of the deputies and all other
19assistants and employes of certain departments, boards and
20commissions shall be determined," further providing for
21powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol
22Programs.

23The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
24hereby enacts as follows:

25Section 1. The act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known 
26as The Administrative Code of 1929, is amended by adding
 

1sections to read:

2Section 2302-A. Definitions.

3The following words and phrases when used in this article
4shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
5context clearly indicates otherwise:

6"Department." The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs of
7the Commonwealth.

8"Drug and alcohol recovery house." A safe and supportive,
9alcohol and drug-free environment where residents in recovery
10from alcohol or other drug addiction live together as a
11community.

<-12Section 2303-A. Development of criteria.

13The department shall develop criteria for certification of
14drug and alcohol recovery houses that receive funds from the
15department to ensure that the houses provide a safe environment
16for residents and for the surrounding community.

17Section 2304-A. Funding.

18A drug and alcohol or other recovery house shall not receive
19funding from the department without certification.

20Section 2305-A. Certification requirements.

21Certification requirements shall include, but not be limited
22to, the following:

23(1) Procedures requiring compliance with all State and
24local ordinances.

25(2) Procedures addressing the safety and protection of
26residents and the community.

27(3) Policies which promote recovery by requiring
28resident participation in treatment, self-help groups or
29other recovery supports.

30(4) Procedures to ensure that upon admission residents

1are informed of all house rules, residency requirements and
2any lease agreements.

3(5) Policies requiring abstinence from alcohol and other
4drugs.

5(6) Procedures, including referral agreements, to handle
6relapse.

7(7) Procedures regarding appropriate use and security of
8medication.

9Section 2306-A. Task force.

10The department shall convene a task force to make
11recommendations to the department regarding criteria for
12certification of drug and alcohol recovery houses.

<-13Section 2303-A. Study.

14The department shall:

15(1) Issue a study related to the certification of drug
16and alcohol recovery houses. The study shall contain a review
17of how other states regulate drug and alcohol recovery houses
18and the criteria used in the evaluation. The study shall also
19assess the costs and benefits associated with a potential
20certification process in this Commonwealth which would
21include:

22(i) Procedures requiring compliance with all State
23and local ordinances.

24(ii) Procedures addressing the safety and protection
25of residents and the community.

26(iii) Policies which promote recovery by requiring
27resident participation in treatment, self-help groups or
28other recovery supports.

29(iv) Procedures to ensure that upon admission
30residents are informed of all house rules, residency

1requirements and any lease agreements.

2(v) Policies requiring abstinence from alcohol and
3other drugs.

4(vi) Procedures regarding appropriate use and
5security of medication.

6(2) Submit the study to the Senate and the House of
7Representative by January 1, 2016.

8Section 2. This act shall take effect <-in 90 days 
<-9immediately.