A bill which would allow for inspections of the state’s recovery residencies was reported to the full Senate during Tuesday’s Senate Health and Human Resources committee.
House Bill 2530, which was drafted through collaboration with the city of Huntington, would seek to address the state’s drug epidemic by allowing for the inspection of recovery residencies.
Huntington City Attorney, Scott Damron, came before members to further explain the intentions of the legislation which arose out of a need to address certain residencies inhabited by those actively recovering from substance dependency. According to Damron, the city of Huntington has around 30 recovery residencies which are typically overpopulated and unable to be inspected under current law.
Damron stated that the city has experienced situations where individuals have bought tax properties to create a recovery residency in order to make large sums of money off of houses that aren’t up to housing standards. If passed, House Bill 2530 would allow for the inspections of these prosperities in order to gain certification.
Once certification is received through inspection, the properties would be eligible for funding from the state.
Following consideration of the bill, the committee members motioned to report the House Bill to the full Senate with the recommendation of passage.
Also reported to the body were:
- House Bill 2531 which would permit trained nurses to provide mental health services in a medication-assisted treatment program.
- House Bill 2405 which would impose a healthcare related provider tax on certain health care organizations.
- House Bill 2525 the Tobacco Cessation Therapy Access Act.
House Bills 2405 and 2525 were also amended by the committee prior to passage.
