STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
3963
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 31, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. FERNANDEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance
Use Disorders
AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to recovery communi-
ty centers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section
2 32.05-b to read as follows:
3 § 32.05-b Certified recovery community centers.
4 1. The commissioner shall promulgate regulations consistent with this
5 section for the voluntary certification of certified recovery community
6 centers.
7 2. Such regulations shall be evidence-based, utilizing information
8 from sources with expertise in recovery. Such regulations shall, at a
9 minimum, provide guidance for:
10 (a) staffing;
11 (b) referrals to and coordination with community and peer-based
12 supports including support related to co-occurring disorders;
13 (c) participant safety;
14 (d) participant rights;
15 (e) confidentiality;
16 (f) re-occurrence support; and
17 (g) administrative and operational policies and procedures.
18 3. Once the commissioner has certified a location as a certified
19 recovery community center, such certified recovery community center
20 shall be included on the office's website as an available option for
21 individuals seeking such an environment.
22 4. The commissioner shall regulate and ensure that such centers which
23 are certified to be certified recovery community centers are continuing
24 to meet the requirements of this section. The commissioner has the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04979-01-5
S. 3963 2
1 authority to inspect such certified recovery community centers and
2 impose penalties, including limiting, revoking or suspending a certif-
3 ication, as appropriate, for failure to comply with the provisions of
4 this section.
5 5. The commissioner shall consult with the department of health to
6 ensure that the services provided by certified recovery community
7 centers are reimbursable in the state Medicaid system.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
9 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
10 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
11 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
12 on or before such effective date.
