Draft proposals would establish baseline living conditions for recovery homes and introduce government enforcement for the first time. This is the third in a series of brief updates on the SB838 workgroup, which is still deliberating on recommendations — due to the General Assembly by Nov. 1 — to strengthen oversight, transparency and resident rights […]
*This post contains two updates. Gov. Glenn Youngkin is recommending the General Assembly add language to the recovery housing oversight bill that would allow the state to revoke sober homes’ temporary certifications for “serious health and safety concerns.” Sponsored by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, Senate Bill 838 aims to improve oversight, transparency and resident rights […]
A Virginia recovery housing bill survived its first hearing today in the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. Senate Bill 838, sponsored by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), aims to create a path toward independent oversight of all Virginia recovery residences, establish protections for sober home residents and ensure transparency with the public. While […]
Senate Bill 838 — which 1) mandates state certification of all Virginia recovery homes and 2) convenes a workgroup under the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to revamp the certification process (to include establishing rights for sober home residents) — was not heard last week as scheduled. The bill was re-referred to the Senate […]
At the beginning of 2023, Joel Hughes opened a recovery home for men at the entrance of Stonehenge Farm Road in rural Powhatan County. He found the home’s generous accommodations and peaceful surroundings a perfect fit. The Stonehenge house was one of just two sober homes Hughes was operating through his small nonprofit, Tri-Hope Life […]
Jan. 16 Update: SB 838 was not presented this morning as scheduled. It was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. I will provide another update once the bill is placed on that committee’s docket. Senate Bill 838 — the one I covered earlier this month that 1) mandates state certification of […]
The intent of a new recovery housing bill is clear: create a path toward independent oversight of all Virginia recovery residences, protect vulnerable sober home residents from exploitation and ensure transparency with the public. Sponsored by Virginia lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — state Sen. Schulyer VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, and state Delegate David Owen, […]