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Arizona Transitional Housing and Reentry Programs Act

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for licensing and regulating transitional housing facilities for individuals reentering society after incarceration. It defines a transitional housing facility as a temporary living arrangement that provides basic necessities like job training, employment services, access to parole officers, housing, meals, and clothing, while simultaneously offering voluntary reentry programs with licensed outpatient behavioral health services. The bill requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to develop and enforce minimum standards for these facilities, including policies on resident treatment participation, abstinence from drugs and alcohol, medication continuity, resident rights, safety, complaint management, and facility maintenance. Facilities must obtain a license, pay associated fees, and undergo annual inspections to ensure compliance. The bill mandates specific staff training, notification requirements for critical incidents, and prohibits staff from having personal relationships with residents. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, and operating without a license could be classified as a class 6 felony. Existing sober living homes will need to transition to the new licensure framework within 30 days of rule implementation, ensuring a standardized approach to supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration to independent living.1