House of Representatives

HB 2610

group homes; halfway houses; schools

Sponsor: Representative Pearce

X	Committee on Health
	Committee on Human Services
	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

HB 2610 requires DHS to establish licensure requirements for halfway houses and stipulates that group homes and halfway houses must be at least 300 feet from public and private schools.

History

A group home is defined in statute as a residential facility that is licensed to serve more than four minors at any one time and provides services for eligible minors. A group home does not include hospitals, nursing homes, child crisis and domestic violence shelters, adult homes, foster homes, transient facilities, or behavioral health service agencies that provide 24-hour care. HB 2610 stipulates that a group home may not be located less than 300 feet from a public or private school building or adjacent fenced recreational area.

HB 2610 creates a new section, which defines halfway house and directs the Department of Health Services [DHS] to establish requirements for licensure. In addition, DHS is required to include in the licensure requirements a provision which stipulates that a halfway house must be at least 300 feet from a public or private school.

Provisions

· Stipulates that a group home must be located at least 300 feet from a public or private school and adjacent fenced recreational areas.

· Defines halfway house as a residential facility that provides necessities for residents that are transitioning to independent living and to residents who intend to utilize substance abuse programs and services available at the facility.

· Specifies that a halfway house does not mean a hospital, nursing home, group home for the handicapped, crises shelter, domestic violence shelter, treatment facility providing therapy to nonresidents, or a transient facility.

· Defines relevant terms.

· Requires DHS to establish licensure requirements for halfway houses and prescribes licensure requirements.

· Requires the halfway house governing authority to appoint a manager to operate the halfway house and meet the licensure requirements established by DHS.

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· 45th Legislature

· First Regular Session 2 February 12, 2001

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