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H2240 • 2025

An Act relative to discharges from sober homes

An Act relative to discharges from sober homes

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Andres X. Vargas
Last action
2026-03-30
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to discharges from sober homes

An Act relative to discharges from sober homes By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to discharges from sober homes By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 2240) of Andres X.
  • Vargas relative to discharges from sober homes.
  • Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-30 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H5319 (under House Rule 27)

  2. 2025-10-03 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 10/14/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  3. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  5. House

    Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to discharges from sober homes
By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2240) of Andres X. Vargas relative to discharges from sober homes. Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
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Bill H.2240

SECTION 1. Subsection (g) of section 18A of chapter 17 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- The department’s regulations shall include minimum standards for discharge and transfer policies approved pursuant to subsection (i), including guidance about situations warranting the immediate discharge or transfer of a resident.

SECTION 2. Said section 18A of said chapter 17, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding the following subsection:-

(i) An operator of certified-alcohol and drug free housing shall have a written discharge and transfer policy approved by the accredited program and the bureau. Notwithstanding chapter 186 or any other general or special law to the contrary, approved discharge and transfer policies may allow for the immediate discharge or transfer a resident only when: (i) the transfer is necessary for the resident's welfare; (ii) the resident's needs cannot be met at the certified sober home; or (iii) the health and safety of other residents, employees or volunteers are at risk or would be at risk if the resident continues to live at the residence. A person who refuses to leave a residence after a discharge or transfer that is consistent with an approved policy may be ordered to leave the premises by the operator or by a law enforcement officer.

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