Jul. 19, 2016
HARRISBURG – Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) announced today that the Certified Drug and Alcohol Recovery Housing (CDARH) Task Force has submitted its recommendations to the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) for certifying recovery houses in Pennsylvania. DDAP is currently seeking public comment on the recommendations.
Recovery-based housing facilities offer assistance to individuals with substance abuse problems. There are currently no regulations in place in Pennsylvania to govern the operation of these facilities.
Farry led the House effort to establish the task force and create statewide standards to govern the health and safety environment of recovery housing.
“We must ensure recovery houses are operated in a safe and appropriate manner in order to warrant the best possible outcomes for individuals with substance abuse problems,” Farry said. “I applaud the task force for keeping its attention and focus on the needs of those seeking treatment and our surrounding communities.”
The CDARH Task Force was formed in 2014 to ensure appropriate safety and operational standards for Pennsylvania’s recovery houses, taking into consideration related issues such as the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, protection of consumers, legitimate community concerns, discriminatory practices and recovery house owners and operators. The task force is made up of law enforcement officials, treatment providers, recovery housing operators, county and state drug and alcohol agencies, and advocacy and recovery-support groups.
DDAP is inviting the public and various stakeholders to view the task force’s recommendations and submit comment online at
RepFarry.com and
ddap.pa.gov over the next 30 days.
“I am proud to report that in the time they took to complete their work, members of the task force were able to gather meaningful input on Pennsylvania’s recovery houses,” said Farry. “After carefully reviewing all the information it obtained, members worked cooperatively to draft a list of recommendations that will help better focus our legislative efforts. I encourage the public to review the recommendation and submit comments for consideration.”
Following the public comment period, DDAP will announce final standards for recovery housing certification. Recovery house owners who wish to receive state funds and referrals from licensed drug and alcohol treatment service providers will be required to become certified.
Representative Frank Farry
142nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abbey Haslam
717.260.6222
ahaslam@pahousegop.com
RepFarry.com