Senator Hassan Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Addiction Recovery Homes

WASHINGTON – As part of her efforts to combat the fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic, Senator Maggie Hassan joined a number of her colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Ensuring Access to Quality Recovery Living Act. The bipartisan bill would give states the resources and guidelines necessary to ensure that recovery homes are able to effectively help residents sustain recovery from substance use disorders.

Recovery homes are family-like, shared living environments that are free from alcohol and illicit drug use, and centered on peer support and connection to services that help individuals who recently finished treatment continue on their journey to recovery. Currently there are no universal guidelines that all recovery homes must follow to aid in recovery. The bill would authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop best practices and provide assistance to states. 

“Recovery homes play a critical role for Granite Staters and Americans struggling with substance misuse, providing them with a safe environment where they can get the support they need to get their lives back on track and on the road to recovery,” Senator Hassan said. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step we can take to ensure that recovery homes are serving their residents as effectively as possible, and I will continue working with members from both parties to ensure that we are not only strengthening recovery, but also treatment, prevention, and support for law enforcement so that we can help stem the tide of this deadly epidemic and help saves lives.”

Recognizing the importance of recovery housing to supporting those struggling with addiction, Senator Hassan recently authored the bipartisan Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act, which would expand existing centers to serve as “Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers,” which would provide wraparound treatment and recovery services, including medication-assisted treatment, counseling, recovery housing, and more.

In addition to Senator Hassan, this bipartisan bill was introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). A companion bill has also been introduced by Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) in the House.

The Ensuring Access to Quality Recovery Living Act is endorsed by Young People in Recovery (YPR) and The McShin Foundation, a Virginia-based Recovery Community Organization.

Full text of the Ensuring Access to Quality Recovery Living Act can be found here.

###