Ohio Senate Bill 138 targets unaccredited recovery houses

Ohio Senate Bill 138 has officially been submitted to the Governor Mike DeWine for approval. If passed into law, this legislation would establish criminal penalties for people who operate treatment facilities or recovery houses without providing the necessary and appropriate care.

Brenda Heidinger, the Associate Director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, stated that this measure aims to protect the well-being of vulnerable individuals on their recovery journey.

"What the legislature is trying to do is making sure that we have recovery houses set up in such a way that they are safe and reliable housing for people in early recovery." Heidinger said. 

Leaders from the mental health and recovery boards in Mahoning and Trumbull counties are in favor of this idea.

Although uncertified facilities are rare in the Mahoning Valley today, mental health leaders say there was a time when they were quite common. For someone in early recovery from addiction, this can mean the difference between life and death.

"In the past I've actually called the police and said 'You know this house is calling itself a recovery house but I keep hearing reports about drug activity there'." April Caraway, Executive Director of Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board told 21 News. 

Certified recovery homes must adhere to strict safety standards, including cleanliness, adequate space for residents, appropriate staffing levels, and established safety and emergency plans.