Bellows bill would improve addiction recovery services in Maine

AUGUSTA — Legislation submitted by Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, would improve addiction recovery services and outcomes in Maine. LD 1523, “An Act To Ensure the Quality of and Increase Access to Recovery Residences,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Friday.

“There are remarkable recovery residences in our state doing important, hard work to help people in their path to recovery,” said Sen. Bellows. “At the same time, there are unscrupulous individuals who may take advantage of a family or an individual’s desperation. When families are helping a loved one find resources so they can recover from their addiction, they need a support system they know they can trust. Creating a voluntary certification program for recovery residences is a smart step in the right direction.”

Drug overdose deaths in Maine have averaged approximately one person per day since 2014. While the rate declined in 2018, it remains at historic levels.

LD 1523 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a voluntary certification process for addiction recovery residences. This recommendation was adopted unanimously by the bipartisan Opioid Task Force, because recovery residences are such an important tool in the path to recovery.

The bill also directs the Maine State Housing Authority to create a pilot project to provide a short-term rental subsidy to a person recovering from substance use disorder to reside in a certified recovery residence that provides medication-assisted treatment. This would help make sure that recovery residences are not cost-prohibitive for low-income Mainers.

LD 1523 faces further action in committee and votes before the Maine Senate and House.