HB 405 revises Florida’s laws governing certified recovery residences. It updates the statutory definition of a “certified recovery residence” and clarifies the structure of a Level IV certified recovery residence, describing it as a residence tied to licensed outpatient services, staffed 24 hours a day, and used by patients who must live there while receiving intensive outpatient or higher levels of care. The bill also keeps the existing framework that recovery residences operate under certification and compliance standards.
The bill adds a stronger enforcement rule for certification: if a certified recovery residence willfully, knowingly, or intentionally gives false or misleading information to the credentialing entity, the entity must revoke the residence’s certificate of compliance. It also revises the referral provisions in s. 397.4873 to clarify applicability for licensed service providers under contract with a managing entity. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB 405 would amend sections 397.311, 397.487, and 397.4873 of the Florida Statutes, affecting the regulation and oversight of certified recovery residences and the credentialing entities that monitor them. The bill would tighten compliance enforcement by making revocation mandatory for intentional false statements and would refine how referral restrictions apply to certain licensed service providers. Recovery residences, licensed treatment providers, and managing entities in Florida’s substance use treatment system would be directly affected.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears neutral and regulatory rather than controversial. The bill is framed as a compliance and clarification measure, suggesting support for stronger oversight and clearer definitions within the recovery residence system. No recorded opposition or amendment debate is available in the provided context.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the mandatory revocation requirement for any certified recovery residence that intentionally provides false or misleading information, which is a stricter enforcement standard than discretionary discipline. Another possible issue is the clarification of referral-rule applicability for licensed service providers under contract with a managing entity, which could affect how treatment providers and recovery residences coordinate placements and referrals. No specific stakeholder objections or committee disagreements are included in the provided record.