SB270/HB931, passed during the 2026 General Assembly requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to convene a workgroup to analyze and make recommendations regarding the creation of a process through which the Department can provide oversight of all recovery residences in the Commonwealth, and to ensure transparency with the public and residents or potential residents of recovery residences regarding the certification of each recovery residence, including certification requirements, results, and inspections. “That Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (the Department) shall convene a work group to (i) analyze and make recommendations regarding the creation of a process through which the Department can provide oversight of all recovery residences in the Commonwealth and (ii) make recommendations to ensure transparency with the public and residents or potential residents of recovery residences regarding the certification of each recovery residence, including certification requirements, results, and inspections. Such work group shall develop credentialing guidelines to be implemented by the Department, including (a) a uniform set of certification criteria for all recovery residences; (b) protocols for the Department to define qualifications for indigent bed fees and payment and reimbursement to recovery residences for indigent bed fees; (c) protocols to ensure resident and patient choice in receiving treatment and that the recovery residence operator, the house manager, or anyone in leadership with the recovery residence is not determining the treatment received; (d) training and standards that recovery residence operators and house managers shall meet before becoming a certified recovery residence operator or a certified recovery house manager, including a verified period of participation in recovery; (e) a Residents' Bill of Rights, including a mandatory compliance requirement with such Residents' Bill of Rights by certified recovery residence operators and certified recovery house managers; (f) protocols for termination of residency; (g) uniform data collection for recovery residences with a transparent data platform, including a definition for required data elements; (h) establishment of a hotline for complaints involving or against recovery residences to facilitate investigations; (i) a process for investigation of complaints involving or against recovery residences to be conducted by the Department or the Department in coordination with the locality where the recovery residence is located and not the credentialing entity; (j) protocols for sanctions on recovery residences, including decertification when appropriate; (k) methods for localities to conduct fire, building, safety, and health inspections of recovery residences; and (l) other issues related to recovery residences and their operators as the work group shall deem appropriate. Such work group shall include representatives of Oxford House, Inc., the Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals, the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences, representatives selected by the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League, members of the community where the recovery residences are located, at least two experienced certified recovery residence operators with a minimum of five years of experience each, and other relevant stakeholders. The work group shall meet, at a minimum, two times per calendar year. The work group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly annually. The provisions of this enactment shall expire on July 1, 2031.”  

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http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/